thecrump

I must go ahead and confess that I both love and hate the National Geographic Channel. It is one of those channels that you happen upon while scanning the dial and then stare in amazement at the beauty of space or the incredible "machinery" of the human body. BUT, I also throw small stuffed animals at the screen as the "experts" report to me the "facts" of everything from evolution to who Jesus really was using the language of speculation. They speak to people like they are without a doubt that a turkey used to be a raptor only they use terms like...

"we believe"
"it could be"
"it's probably"

Last night was one of these times. I had gotten home from a wonderful time out with a buddy of mine and found my wife half asleep on the couch (sort of) watching a documentary on who the real Jesus was.

As I sat on the couch next to my unconcious wife I laughed as I heard "experts" create this amazing story that is not found anywhere in any ancient texts. Like the story of evolution the historians reached down into the depths of their imaginations and created a story that they were happy with.

Here is the story I got from them:

Jesus was a unskilled laborer who all of sudden decided to be a preacher after seeing Rome's evil hand on the Jewish people during his trips to the market on Thursdays at 3pm after a steady rain. He had to walk because he had no donkey because his brothers took it from him as a joke.

Ok, maybe some of that is a bit much (but it is close to what they were saying).

Then came the line that made me both laugh and mourn for those on this show. After going over this incredible tale they spun using a couple verses and a general historical overview I heard the narrator say something like this...

"It may have been this [Jesus' view of Rome] that turned Jesus into the great teacher we all know him to be."

My first response was:

"He is a great teacher who claimed to be God...so He is either God or He is a lunitic. He cannot be both. If they truly knew the real Jesus they would fall before His feet and cry out for His mercy and grace."

Why? Because Jesus is God. He is not just some random Jewish guy who decided one day to preach against Rome and the Pharisees. He is God in the flesh and demanded that ALL MEN REPENT (Matt 4:17)! He came to die for our sins because otherwise we would be forever damned to an eternity in hell (John 8:24). That is Jesus.

Was He a carpenter or unskilled laborer? I'm sure He was. Was He sadened by the treatment of His people? I have no doubt. Was he simply a great teacher? Surely not...HE IS GOD (John 8:58).

If you disagree with me then I am sorry to say you do not believe in the real Jesus. Many think that they are cool with Jesus. That He is their "homey". If they knew the real Jesus and what Jesus demands of them they would hate Him. After all....He came to earth before and men killed Him.

The true Jesus is so much more than the world thinks. They think He is just one of many teachers. That He is equal to Muhammad or Buddah. But Jesus made sure there was no misunderstanding. He clearly stated Himself as the authority (John 13:3). He made it clear that He alone is God and that all others are false gods. He was unmoving in stating that He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE (John 14:6). That is the true Jesus.

This may sound harsh, but the truth is the truth. Jesus desires that all would repent and trust in Him for salvation. This Easter we celebrate His death and resurrection because it is the key to all of Christianity. This is the key to eternal life...and it is offered to all. Forgiveness, mercy, grace and more are available because of the amazing God-man Jesus Christ.

Before I close this out I want to quote from Team Pyro's website. Dan Phillips has been posting on his blog posts called "Next." They are pithy sayings that answer many of the challenges/comments posed by unbelivers. Here is this weeks:

Challenge: " I believe Jesus was a moral example and a great sage teacher."

Response: ...who sagaciously taught that He was God incarnate, the only sufficient sacrifice for man's sins, and the only mediator between God and man; who made worship of Him as God a moral imperative; and taught that anyone who doesn't believe in Him, and believe all those things about Him, is going to Hell? Hey, yeah! Me too!