Read all about it - Eternity
HOW WAS THE LIFE OF JESUS DIFFERENT TO ALL OF US?
a. Perfect Character
Why is Jesus such a famous person? The calendar is based upon his life, our laws quote His teachings and He is the most written about man in history.
The answer is that he lived a life of holiness and power never seen before or since. His sinless life, the mighty miracles, the beautiful teaching, the astounding claims to be God, show us He was God on earth.
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He was always master of every situation.
He never had to ask for permission or forgiveness. He was perfect yet not proud about it. He had no fear and could be very bold. His words were perfectly chosen to fit the need. He never complained. He was confident with enemies. He was hated and tortured and put to death, not because of any weakness of character, but because men chose darkness and rebelled against God. We are the same today if we refuse Him. |
b. Jesus wants us to be like Him.
"I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." John 13:15
"A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34
Jesus indentifies with our needs. He has been through life too, yet without sin.
"He was tested in all points as we are, yet without sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may get mercy." Hebrews 4:15-16
c. Why is Jesus called the 'Son of Man'?
Jesus called Himself the Son of Man so many times it is recorded over 80 x in the gospels.
Jesus is the perfect man - man as God intended man to be. He is man as we shall become one day if we are Christians.
"We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2
Jesus used the Son of Man title when talking about doing things only God can do.
"The Son of Man has come down to search for those who are lost." Luke 19:10
"You shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Matthew 24:30
So He is reminding us He is God as well as man.
d. Jesus called Himself the Son of God.
Jesus often claimed to be God's Son and was condemned to death for blasphemy because He did so. The Old Testament has many prophecies that the Messiah (the chosen One) would be the Son of God.
"Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee." Psalm 2:7
Many disciples called Him the Son of God. John the Baptist said: "I saw and recorded that this is the Son of God." John 1:34.
Even the Roman centurion at the cross said, "Truly this man was the son of God." Mark 15:39
Don't believe the lie that Jesus was only a man who had great teachings. Read the gospel of John.
Jesus is definitely the Son of God.
e. How was His teaching different?
| By common consent Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. The Sermon on the Mount, the parables of the Kingdom, the Olivet discourse and the glorious messages in John's gospel stand out as the wisest most powerful teachings of all time. |
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Even his enemies said, "No one ever spoke like this man!" John 7:46
But He was never formally educated, just a carpenter in a country town. He never wrote a book or taught in a school.
He must have been what He claimed to be: "Whatever I say is what the Father has told me to say." John 12:50
f. Did He perform miracles?
People of all different types saw Him perform miracles and knew God must be in Him.
Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, said, "No man can do these miracles unless God is with Him." John 3:2
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The times were skeptical and learned times.
Miracles were not expected. They were what made Jesus famous. "His fame went all through Syria and they brought Him all sick people and possessed people and He healed them" (Matthew 4:24). |
Unlike some 'faith-healer' healings today, these miracles were medically impossible, permanent and for everyone. Other miracles that amazed people were turning water into wine, calming the sea, restoring dead to life, etc. He used miracles to give hard-hearted people an opportunity to believe in Him.
He said, "If I don't do the Father's works then don't believe. If I do the Father's works, though you don't believe Me, believe the works." John 10:37-38
He would not do miracles as a sign like a magician. He refused to perform before King Herod at His trial even to save His life. He never asked for money or personal gain.
g. His claims are different
No one ever claimed to be God and proved it except Jesus.
"The way, the truth and the life, only way to God." John 14:6
"The Son of Man with the power to forgive sins." Matthew 9:6
"If you confess Me before men I will confess you before the Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32
"The Father and the Son know each other. No man can know the Father unless the Son reveals Him. " Matthew 11:27
"He is the resurrection and the life - you live in Jesus after you die." John 11:25-26
"He is Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:28
"Lose your life for Jesus sake and you will save it." Luke 9:24
"Light of the world." John 8:12
"When the Son of Man returns will He find faith on the earth." Luke 18:8
"The Son of Man came to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"Drink from the water Jesus gives and you will never thirst again." John 4:14
"The Father ... has committed all judgment to the Son. " John 5:22
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." John 5:25
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. " Luke 21:33
"Before Abraham was, I am. " John 8:58
| "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 |
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"I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers." John 10:7-8
"I and the father are one. " John 10:30
"I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger. " John 6:35
In the face of such evidence we can only say, with the once doubting Thomas,
"My Lord and my God." John 20:28, after he saw the nail prints in hands and feet.