The
Bible is remarkable for being candid about its greatest men. It reveals flaws in the
characters of, for example, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and Solomon. The New Testament
does not attempt to hide the failings of Peter, Paul, John or other influential figures in
the early church. However, the unanimous consent of all the New Testament writers is that
Jesus was free from all moral taint. The following quotes are from men who spent three
years living in close proximity to him and had opportunity to observe his behaviour at all
times, including periods of physical exhaustion and times when he was under intense
pressure. The fact that they were his friends does not diminish their testimony, it
enhances it. His
Disciples
John (Yochanan ben Zavdai, his closest friend, who sat next to him
at the final Passover Seder he shared with his disciples.
We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our
eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word
of life [a term he uses in the first verse of his Gospel as a title for the
Messiah, recalling Psalm 33:6] -- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear
witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested
to us -- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have
fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus the
Messiah. (1 John 1:1-3)
Jesus the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,
and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins
in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory
and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will
see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of
Him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:5-7)
Peter (Kefer ben Yonah, the strong, impetuous fisherman who became
Jesus’ best known disciple)
"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless
conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Messiah,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before
the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him
believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and
hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)
Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should
follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten,
but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own
body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose
stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to
the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
Thomas (T’oma, who became convinced the Jesus was the Messiah
after he rose from the dead).
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The
other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to
them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the
print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after
eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors
being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to
Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand [here,]
and put [it] into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas
answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
(John 20:24-28)
Judas Iscariot (Yehudah of Kiriot was the disciple who betrayed Jesus. In
view of the fact that most miscreants seek to justify their deeds, the final words of
Judas are all the more significant and poignant.
"I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." (Matthew 27:4)
His Enemies
The temple guards
"No man ever spoke like this man!" (John 7:46)
Evil spirits
"Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to
destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!" (Luke
4:34)
Pontius Pilate
"You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed,
having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man
concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you
back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him." (Luke
23:14-15)
A criminal crucified with
Jesus
"We [he and another criminal] receive the due reward of our deeds; but this
Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me
when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:41-42)
Jesus
Himself
"Even if I bear witness of Myself, My
witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going." (John 8:14)
"My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he
shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own
authority. (John 7:16-17)
The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming ... When He comes, He will
tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." (John
4:25-26)
"I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger,
and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in
darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)
"I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are
thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by
Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and
that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His
life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do
you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
No one else in the history of the world ever made such astonishing claims except,
perhaps, lunatics. If Jesus was a lunatic, how did he start a movement that grew so
quickly and has changed the course of world history for the better? If Jesus was a
confidence trickster par excellence, what did he hope to gain? How could a liar of such
epic proportions ever have made such an impact for good on the human race? If Jesus was a
liar or a madman he could not have been the great teacher that most people say he was. Yet
his teachings are great and good. There is only one credible but shocking alternative: he
was who he said he was. |