You have probably heard people say something like: “Jesus was one of the great teachers.” Of course, this is how they place him among the many religious teachers of the ages. They give him credit for whatever sayings of his they like, but neither he nor his sayings are exalted above the others.
Just as every church thinks that they are the most likely way to heaven, every man believes that his spiritual teacher is the most likely guide.
Two obvious things remove Jesus from all the others. Firstly, his claim to be The Son of God, and secondly, the proof of that claim—his resurrection. This is how he could assert: “No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
As much as some try, it is impossible to make sense of Jesus if he was just another man. Take away his divinity and you reduce his glory from ‘Creator’ to someone created.
Jesus had no interest in his teachings being shuffled in and dealt out with other teachings. He and the Father are One, and his mission was to teach people the words and way of salvation. He said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:16-17).
What we teach in our congregations is what we end up practicing. But someone will say, “No, the unscriptural changes in our congregation came in suddenly.” Though that is possible, it is unlikely. Admittedly, false teachers creep in, but if truth is the standard diet of a congregation, then false teachings are evident to all.
The devil destabilizes our churches by mixing into our preaching and teaching “truths” that are beyond scripture.
Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37)
John Staiger
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