INTRODUCTION
The center of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as the divine Son of God.
All respectable scholars agree that a man named Jesus of Nazareth: l) lived on the earth, 2) had a great influence on people and 3) died as a martyr.
THE QUESTION
The question remains in many minds, whether Jesus was God incarnate or merely a great teacher and leader.
To answer this question let us examine some of the qualities and characteristics of the life of Jesus.
Evidence 1- Christ was sinless
(Heb.4:14-16) Milligan suggests that in this section the Hebrew writer is emphasizing Christ as the High Priest of the New Covenant and that through His intercession we can boldly approach God the Father. The writer makes four main arguments as to why we can rely on Jesus:
(I Pet. 2:21,22) Verses 18-25 deal with the duties of servants to masters. We see that servants must obey their masters whether they are good or evil. It is a commendable thing if one suffers because he is determined to do right. However, if we suffer because we commit sin, we deserve it. Furthermore we are to follow the example of Jesus' suffering. In verse 22 Peter alludes to Isa. 53:9 and Zeph. 3:13. NO SIN, NO GUILE. Verse 23- He did not return evil for evil.
Examine the scriptures for yourself and try to find even a questionable act or thought or word attributed to Jesus. Did He ever injure anyone? Take advantage of anyone? Speak an improper word to anyone?
Evidence 2- Christ was holy separate, apart, consecrated
Christ was not only sinless, but also holy. He practiced what he preached and he was pious. If Jesus is not deity, then his life was a lie and the deception and false front He condemned in Mt. 23 would be sins of which He would be guilty; things such as moral inconsistency, mistreatment of brethren, abusing oath taking and tithing and neglecting inward purity.
Evidence 3- Christ's words were the greatest ever spoken
Why? Dr. Bernard Ramm in his book protestant Christian Evidences tells us Christ's words have the statistical edge because they are read more, quoted more, translated more, used in more art and music " than anyone else's. But, Dr. Ramm adds, "They are the greatest because they are pure, spiritual and authoritative when it comes to answering questions like: Who is God? Does He love and care for me? How do I please Him? How do I treat my brethren? How does He view my Sin?"
Evidence 4- Christ's influence on history and man can not be measured
Philip Schaff in his tract The Person of Christ spoke concerning Christ's influence:
"... this Jesus of Nazareth, Without money or arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science or learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced "effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions., learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise, than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times."
Evidence 5- Christ performed supernatural acts
These included such things as His birth, His healing, His escapes from danger, His appearances, and His knowledge. He commanded nature and disease; He restored hearing and sight; He controlled demonic powers; and He raised the dead.
Evidence 6- Christ manifested the love of God
In (Mk. 12:28-31) Christ was asked: "Which is the first commandment?" That is, which is the most important? Jesus replied, First, Love the Lord and second, love your neighbor. In words and example Jesus showed pure, unselfish love. Even in death He prayed for His murderers.
(1 Jn. 4:8) In his Commentary on the Epistle of John, Guy N. Woods paraphrases this verse as follows: "He that will not continually love (agapo) is not acquainted with God." God is love because He is the originator of all things, of which love is one.
(Jn. 14:9) is Jesus' reply to Philip when he asks Jesus to show them the Father.
Now, connecting the two thoughts of these verses we see: If Jesus is an image of the Father and God is love, then Jesus is the perfect physical manifestation of that love. Who then can claim divine Sonship more rightfully than the one who has most fully demonstrated the love of the Father?
THE CONCLUSION
An unknown author had these moving things to say about Jesus:
"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a Peasant woman. He grew up in another village, and that a despised one. He worked in a carpenter shop for thirty years, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher, He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a really big city, He never traveled, except in His infancy, more than two hundred miles from the place, where He was born. He had no credentials but himself.
While still a young man the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them betrayed Him. He was turned over to, His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property
He had on earth, His seamless robe. When He was dead He was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave through the courtesy of a friend. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today Jesus is the centerpiece of the human race, and the leader of all human progress.
I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built, all the parliaments that have ever sat, and all the kings that have ever ruled put together have not affected the life of man upon his earth like this one solitary personality.
All time dates from His birth, and it is impossible to understand or interpret the progress of human civilization in any nation on earth apart from His influence. Slowly through the ages man is coming to realize that the greatest necessity in the world is not water, iron, gold, food and clothing, or even nitrate in the soil; but rather Christ enshrined in human hearts, thoughts and motives.
His life and His teachings demonstrate the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth. Even under great pressure no flaw appeared in His character. There is no higher system of morals or ethics to be found in any teachings of any religion in the world. Jesus has demonstrated total, unconditional, unselfish love. He truly is the Son of God!"
This sermon was adapted from chapter 26 of Batsell Barrett
Baxter's book: I Believe Because.