4 undeniable truths about Jesus

Some people like to cobble together their own “Jesus” out of select verses in the Bible and ignore the rest. But here are 4 undeniable truths about Jesus that show what He is really like. This is the Jesus I have learned to know.

Paul writes about another type of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 11:4. “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it!”

There are many Jesuses preached nowadays, and even more Christians fighting over who has the truth and what is the truth, but in the midst of the chaos should it really be so complicated for someone who really longs to be well-pleasing to Jesus?

He was tempted like us

The Bible speaks a lot about Jesus being tempted to sin just like we are. It’s easy to think Jesus had some magical, godly trick that He used to remain sinless but that’s not what’s written. Jesus experienced what it’s like to be tempted and He still never sinned. That’s part of the reason He is so ready to forgive; He knows what it’s like. He’s been through it.

It is this Jesus who learned obedience by the things which He suffered, (Hebrews 5:8) and this Jesus who says to me, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) It is only when I have a deep longing to please God that I find the Jesus of the Scriptures.

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18.
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.

He came to free us from sin

The real truth about Jesus’ mission on earth was that He came to free people from their sin. It isn’t just forgiveness for the sins they were bound to continue committing. He opened the way to walk completely upright and blameless, just like He did.

This is the Jesus I can follow, who committed no sin. (1 Peter 2:22) This is the Jesus I long to learn of and follow. The Jesus who can aid those being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36.

“For to this you were called, because Christ 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.’” 1 Peter 2:21-22.

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:15.

He is zealous against sin

Many people like to believe that Jesus was kind and loving and good but they forget that He was also exceedingly radical and zealous against sin. They forget that Jesus told Peter “get behind me Satan,” called the Pharisees “white-washed tombs,” and drove the sellers out of the temple with a whip. The Jesus in the Bible is radical, and aches with a longing to cleanse the world of all sin.

Jesus is the perfect example of “love the sinner, hate the sin.” In fact, because His love for us is so great, His hatred for all sin and the destruction it causes must be just as great by necessity. He knows how harmful it is and hates to see His beloved brothers and sisters on earth suffer.

Jesus’ longing is also to get us to become just as zealous and just as radical against sin. This point is so serious and so important that Jesus even expects us to break all ties to everything that would hold us back from attaining to the same zeal and burning hatred for sin.

The Jesus I believe in is radical against sin and longs to set me free from sin but in order to do this I must be willing to acknowledge the truth about myself, that nothing good dwells in my flesh, so Jesus can work with a broken and contrite spirit. (Psalm 51:17)

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Luke 12:49.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 10:34.

He is meek and lowly

Jesus was meek and lowly and humble and did everything according to what His Father asked of Him. He washed the disciples’ feet, He loved the poor and wretched, He sacrificed everything He had to serve and to bless the others.

The very act of leaving the glory of heaven and being born as a man was the ultimate act of humility and lowliness. (Philippians 2:7)

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29. This gentleness and lowliness Jesus had was not a weakness but rather a form of strength. If we learn from Jesus to be lowly like He was then we have rest for our souls through victory over the sin that plagues us.

This is the Jesus I know. It is this life that Christ lived that has gripped me, and made my old life unworthy of living. I thank God I have found the treasure in the field for which it is worth selling all I have. (Matthew 13:44) I thank God I know Jesus the Son of Man.