JESUS, IS HE DIFFERENT?
Sometimes I ask myself, why people like to discuss secular affairs and even religion but when you dare mention the name Jesus, they react differently. They behave bothered and uncomfortable; some angered and embarrassed. People may be eager to listen if you talk generally about God but the mere mention of Jesus, they get upset. They want to change the conversation or shut down the discussion. Why are they offensive about Jesus and not other names like Buddha, Mohammed or Amadioha? Is Jesus different? Or is His name supposed to erupt dissension or provocation? It could be fundamentally human reaction to things they do not like to hear. People are more disposed to discuss God when its generalized; equality of all gods. But when you mention Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, who claimed to be God, then you erupt more volcano than youve envisaged. By this claim, He was more than just a prophet or teacher. He was not only claiming deity but also the only avenue to salvation as well as the only source of forgiveness of sins. His claim to be the son of God is nothing but very exclusive. However, Anne Graham Lotz attested, Jesus is the only way, but He is not exclusive. He welcomes all to His offer of eternal life. No one is excluded at the cross.
Joseph M. Stowell in The trouble with Jesus wrote, while not exclusive in the wilderness of His mercy, Jesus is exclusive in His claim that He is the only solution for our sin problem and the only way to God. And that indeed He is God. Jesus is the central issue that separates me from Hindus, Muslims, Jews, New Age adherents, and the advocates of any other form of religion. His claim is unique. Without shame, and fears of contradictions or accused of being insensitive and unpopular, He said, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me [John 14:6]. The apostles did not miss the point. They proclaimed without reservation, There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved [Acts 4:12].
Our pluralistic culture do not like Jesus claim. They do not believe God had a son; are not pleased that He called God, My Father. This claim is what makes Jesus different from other religious leaders. No other religious leader claimed to be a son of God and indeed God; has ability to forgive sins and the door to heaven. How can the son of a mere carpenter from Nazareth claim to be the Messiah? But before you write him off, has His claim any credibility? In the worlds culture, God is defined as all inclusive: Christians and theists, Muslim, Buddha and Jews; however the God that became incarnated in Jesus Christ is exclusive. That takes us to the Greek meaning of Jesus as Jehovah-Savior. Little wonder Jesus is different. Jesus is not only the Son of God but also God. His Apostles were all Jews and understood Him clearly when He said, I and My Father are one or when you see me you have seen my Father. Even Apostle Thomas recognized Him as, My Lord and God [John 20:28]. Also read Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; Romans 9:5; John 5:20. In these passages, Jesus receives honor and worship that only God should get. Even in confrontation with Satan, Jesus said, You must worship the Lord your God; serve only Him [Matthew 4:10].
The scriptures attribute characteristics to Jesus that can be true only of God. They present Jesus as being self existent; omnipresent, omniscience and omnipotent [John1:2; Matthew 8:26-27, 17:22-27, 18:20]. Josh McDowell in More than A carpenter, said, Most of the early followers of Jesus were devout Jews who believed in one true God. They were monotheistic to the core, yet .they recognized Him as God incarnate. In spite of Apostle Pauls extensive rabbinic training, he attributed deity to Jesus and called Him Lord; he acknowledged Jesus as God. In many passages of the New Testament Jesus called God My Father. This provoked confrontation with the Jewish leaders; who regarded this comments as blasphemy. So the Jewish leaders tried all the more to kill Him for speaking of God as His Father, thereby making Himself equal with God [John 5:18]. By Jewish law blasphemy was an offence punishable by stoning [Leviticus 24:16].
Another fundamental difference with Jesus is the case of His death and resurrection. Of all the Spiritual leaders of the past, only Jesus died and had risen; Hes alive for evermore. Those who challenge Christianity often overlook one area of evidence: the transformation of Jesus apostles. The radically changed lives of these men give us solid testimony for the validity of Christs claims. Even James, his blood brother who initially did not believe Him later called himself servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ [James 1:1] after seeing Jesus on His resurrection appearance [1 Corinthians 15:7]. Christian literature reveals that eleven of Jesus apostles died martyrs death because they stood solid for two truths: Christs deity and His resurrection. Another truth is the various testimonies of the apostles and those who become Christians today. Stowell added, Even in death and marginalization, these early followers engaged their world with a power that could not be quenched. Because of their fearless attention to living well in the face of these pressures, they eventually won the day, not by the sword but by their unflinching allegiance to the person and mission of Jesus .. Good theology is often expressed best in action and attitude.
Yes, Jesus is the answer but what is missing? Our mission is to engage a world that has gone flat on itself with the zest and added value that Jesus brings to life. That is the difference and challenge facing todays Christians in an unchristian world.
Reach: Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: weefreeministries.org or P. O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272.