So, for school this week we had to do a twenty-five minute timed essay, just another one of those lovely college prep things. BUT, this one actually had an interesting topic, so I thought I'd change it a little and post it. :)
It has to do with the article by C.S. Lewis about how Jesus did not leave us the option of believing that He was simply a good man, prophet, or teacher.
I will go in order of Lewis’ famous quote, “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.” If in fact, Jesus were not the Son of the most High God, He would indeed be a liar, because He continually proclaimed Himself to be just that. In John 8:12 it says, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” Here Jesus lays Himself before the Pharisees as the only way to walk in light, out of the darkness which is sin. He offers them relief from their burdens of sin, in a way that only God can do. Later, in verses 23 and 24 He says, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; l am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” Here Jesus tells them flat out that He is from above, that He came down from heaven, from the Father God and that unless they accept Him as such they will die in their sins. If His claims were not true, He would indeed be a liar.
Next, is the option of the lunatic. If Jesus Christ were not simply a liar, He would have to be insane and, in the words of Lewis, "on a level with the man who believes himself to be a poached egg.” If He falsely chose to claim deity for Himself,and did not know that He was wrong, you would have to turn to the alternative that He didn’t know what He was speaking of, which would then leave only the option of insanity. Most do not like the image of the good and kind prophet and teacher being a cunning and conniving extortionist of the people, but if they reject the image of the liar as well as the deity of Christ, this is the only option they are left with.
Lastly, if the possibilities of the liar and the lunatic are unfavorable, then that of Lord and Savior is the only option left. The New Testament is full of accounts of Jesus' blatant statements of His divinity. In Matthew 26:63-64, during His trial, it is written “And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The Pharisees rejected Him as God, and they understood, obviously, that with that rejection, they had no choice but to deem Him a blasphemer, and a liar. What Jesus claimed, no mortal man can claim and remain a morally good and just teacher. Jesus claimed to be God; nothing can be said of that. Can a man who claims to be God simply remain in our minds a virtuous and worthy teacher?
Reading through the accounts of the life of Jesus, the view of the liar is unfavorable to many. The people around Jesus followed Him because of his goodness, and His kindness; the possibility that He was manipulating them for monetary gain is ridiculous. Jesus had no permanent home on this earth, no money, and He relied on His friends to support Him. Why would He keep up this charade? The option of insanity is equally ludicrous; these accounts are written first-hand by the men that were with Him at all times. How could an insane man also be so manipulative as to gain the allegiance, and respect of so many men that were so close to Him? (Most of which died to further His cause)Jesus was gentle and kind, and in complete control of His faculties. He looked on any and every circumstance with forbearance, patience, and fortitude, and lived out of a compassion and love for the people around Him. Regardless of what each person chooses to believe, these three options are all that Jesus left feasible for us to accept. He was either everything that He claimed to be; a pathological deceiver; or insane. The possibility of Him being simply a good man is not logically acceptable based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
So refreshing to stop and think about the powerful claims to deity presented by our Savior Jesus Christ. :)
To God be the glory!
Amy
