The Credentials of Jesus, Part 3

Here is the last of 3 posts on the Credentials of Jesus. Next week we will begin a series on another character element of Jesus and how this reveals God’s character.

Last week we saw Jesus’ 1) power over nature, 2) power to bring dead people back to life (3x), 3) power over the spiritual world (angels & demons) and 4) power over human sickness and disease.

 

As you review Jesus’ incredible “credentials” continue to remember this is the One who is radically humble, wonderfully compassionate, completely approachable and full of protection! Combine all the character aspects we have studied over the past two years with His credentials. Then you get a more complete picture of the God-man!

For past posts see http://GodIsJustLikeJesus.Blogspot.com
If you have friends that want these emails have them email me at Chris@GodIsJustLikeJesus.com

 

9. Jesus’ Atonement for Evil and Sin is Superior to all other methods or philosophies
10. Jesus pays God’s “just” judgment against evil and sin with his own life and blood. God is right or just to condemn and punish evil. Jesus accepts God’s punishment for the evil we have done so that He can set us free from “just” judgment. Complete Justice meets complete love.
11. In Islam, Allah supposedly just “snaps his fingers” and pardons the guilty. There is no payment for evil and sin
12. In Buddhism, Buddha essentially tries to re-define sin and righteousness. He thusly removes the need for atonement for sin and instead requires people to ‘meditate’ and essentially fix themselves (Eightfold Path) – which is another version of the law.
13. Neither Buddha nor Muhammad suffered/hung on a cross to “bear the sins of humanity” – neither suffered of everyday humans the way Jesus suffered for us.
14. The Claims of Jesus to be God
15. I covered this subject in the post http://godisjustlikejesus.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-ways-jesus-revealed-he-is-god.html
16. In a Mono-theistic culture (vs a Hindu/New Age Poly-theistic culture), Jesus claimed to be the one and only God who MADE the entire Universe.
17. The 7 “I AM”s of Jesus – examples:

i.      The Resurrection & the life John 11:25

 

ii.       The way, the truth and the life John 14:6

 

iii.      The Bread of Life John 6:35

 

iv.      The Light of the World – Jn 8:12

 

v.      The Vine feeding the branches – Jn 15:5

 

vi.      The Good Shepherd – Jn 10:11

 

vii.      The Gate for the Sheep – Jn 10:7

 

1. Buddha only claimed to be a teacher. Muhammad only claimed to be a prophet. Jesus claims to be The teacher, The Prophet and ultimately God who is forever different, set-apart and transcendent beyond the people and material realm He created by His own will. Jesus claims to be the Genesis chapter 1 God who created the earth and the universe.
2. The Superior Beauty of His Character
3. Jesus character is a stunning combination of radical power over nature and demons but wonderful compassion and tenderness culminating in the deepest humility and meekness imaginable! On one hand, He resists the hypocrisy and evil of the self-righteous Pharisees and Priests and on the other hand, He welcomes and holds the smallest child, rebuking the disciples for hindering their approach. Jesus’ jealousy for His Father’s honor and His desire to protect the people motives Him to drive out all money changers and merchants from the house of God! However, He patiently bears with the multitude of failures and sins from His sincere followers. Jesus has the power to instantly call for 12 legion of angels (Matt 26:53) and can resist Satan’s most direct temptations and attacks (Luke 4)  but when a Samaritan village rejects Him, in meekness, He simply walks further looking for rest (Luke 9:51-56). After the battle of Jerusalem (Armageddon), Jesus will be revealed as the rightful King of the nations of the world. However, He endures the scorn and mockery as the Priests and Roman Soldiers mock His Kingship as He ransoms humans from their sin (Matt  26:67, 27:11,27-31,37). The wholesomeness, power and meekness of His character invites the follower to worship and the most hardened unbeliever to wonder!
4. Jesus character is unrivaled in human history
5. Some think Jesus was merely a human.  If this was true, the human race should have produced a better man or woman than Jesus in last 2,000 years!