“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.”
John 8:23
“Pretty bold.”
That’s what I’d say if I heard someone make this same claim that Jesus made.
I’d put on the ol’ spectacles and take a good, long look at their life…Are they really a human unlike any other on the planet?
That’s really what Jesus said:
You are earthly. I am heavenly.
You’re natural. I’m supernatural.
I’m not like any of you.
Jesus made a BOLD statement.
He didn’t make a cocky statement.
He didn’t make an arrogant statement.
He made a FACTUAL statement.
The Pharisees, like most other humans, heard a statement like that and probably thought:
Who does this guy think he is?
Jesus wasn’t proud.
Jesus was humble.
When humble people speak truth it’s powerful.
That’s because the proud people who RESIST the truth are forced to fight two battles:
1) They have to contend with the truth itself, which means examining and reconciling their preconceived notions or erroneous beliefs.
2) They are forced into introspection as the humble, righteous man holds a mirror up to their pride and unrighteousness.
(Defensive anger is usually their response. Most would rather believe a lie than admit they have been lied to, especially as it relates to religious beliefs.)
Jesus could back up His bold claims.
The healings, the miracles, the teachings, the prophecies…all of these were neon signs to the world:
“He is the Messiah!”
“He is the Lord!”
“He is Emmanuel!”
“The Savior has come!”
“Prophecy is fulfilled!”
If God lived as a man on Earth, I’d expect Him to be wise, gracious, powerful, healing, helping, loving, kind, absolutely bound to truth, AND the manifestation of (at least) 1,000 years of prophetic writings.
I would expect his birth, life, and death to all be marked by extraordinary circumstances.
Has there ever been a man like that apart from Jesus Christ?
Nope. Only He was from above, and His straight shooting statement in John 8:23 was backed up by His extraordinary life, His supernatural power, and bodily resurrection after His prophesied death.
If Jesus Christ was a straight -shooting Savior, then we ought to be His confident disciples standing firm on Truth today.
Live it right and tell it straight.
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