Appendix 2: Was Jesus Uniquely Perfect?
Do not miss the significance of the many Scripture references cited below. These are primary historical documents of a reliability seldom seen in the realm of ancient history, written by (eg 2 Peter 1:16) or heavily dependent upon (Luke 1:1-4) eyewitnesses. And note the natural bias of the witnesses. They were utterly convinced of the sinfulness of every human (1 John 1:8,10; Romans 3:9,10,23). This was a basic belief of not just the early Christians, but of the Jewish religion that had been drilled into most of them almost from birth (1 Kings 8:46; Job 15:14; Psalms 130:3; 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9). Yet still they came to the staggering conclusion that Jesus was sinless.
General When appealing to the common knowledge of non-Christians, Peter could speak confidently of the good Jesus had done (Acts 10:36-38).
Jesus
religious opponents
The only charge they could make stick was that he made claims no normal man could make.
Pilate John 19:4-14; Matthew 27: 23-24
Pilates wife Matthew 27:19
Jesus betrayer Matthew 27:4
Jesus executioner Matthew 27:54; Luke 23:47
The thief crucified with Jesus Luke 23:41
A demon Mark 1:23-24
People who knew Jesus intimately:
John the Baptist Matthew 3:13-17
John the apostle John 1:14; 1 John 2:29; 3:5
Peter Luke 5:8; Acts 3:14; 1 Peter 1:19; 2:22; 3:18
Early Christian witnesses Hebrews 4.15; 7:26; 9:14 2
Corinthians 5:21
Jesus own mother and brother believed in him
- Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19
Jesus own
testimony John 5:30,36; 7:18; 8:29; 10:32,38; 14:11, 30-31;
15:24
Dont dismiss this. The more godly people are, the more conscious they are of their sinfulness (cf Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus stands out as a stark exception to this rule. Who can accuse me of sin? he dared ask a hostile crowd. (John 8:46)
An angel
- Luke 1:35
Foreseen by
Old Testament prophets Isaiah 53:9,11; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah
9:9
Objections
Jesus cursed a fig tree If Jesus swore because of the tree we would have
reason to question his character. The word cursed is clearly
not used in this sense, however, because all he did was to say
to the tree, You will never bear fruit again. (Matthew 21:19)
Jesus got angry
at the temple money changers The disciples immediate reaction
is revealing. Jesus action reminded them of a relevant Scripture
and they saw the event as proof of Jesus godliness that he
was moved by the things that move God. (John 2:15-17; Psalm 69:9)
From beginning to end, the Bible is filled with references to
Gods anger. (Eg Exodus 15:7; Deuteronomy 9:7-8; Ezekiel 7:19;
Romans 2:5; Revelation 16:1) Christians have always made a distinction
between righteous anger and selfish anger. There was nothing impulsive
about Jesus action. He displayed complete self-control. He went
to the temple, looked around, and left because it was late. The
next day he drove out the temple workers. (Mark 11:11,15) To see
if any selfish anger resided within Jesus, examine his response
when he was cruelly and unjustly executed. Forgive them, was
his cry.
Jesus dishonored
his mother by addressing her as woman Most modern Bible
translations use expressions like dear lady, but even these
seem artificial. The Good News Bible does not even try to translate
it. There is, in fact, no exact English equivalent for the word
that is in the original text. A term of endearment and respect
is one Greek scholars description of the word. We have only to
examine one of the contexts to see the accuracy of this description.
Jesus used this term of address in the tenderest of moments. He
was on the cross dying in agony. His heart-broken, probably widowed,
mother, soon to be bereft of her son, was looking on, and Jesus
was making final arrangements for his most loving disciple to
look after her for the rest of her life. (John 19:26-27)
