The real Jesus

While the Pharisees, the religous leaders of Palestine, preached hundreds of human laws and regulations to follow in order to be "righteous," the genuine Jesus had just two:

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments'" (Matthew 22:37-40, emphasis mine).

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

The counterfeit Christ and his followers have long lists of "do's and don't's" that are preached as "Gospel." And everyone who doesn't subscribe to their legalistic list are condemned.

But the genuine Jesus has just two laws: love God and love people. True followers of Jesus may not agree with the lifestyles and opinions of everyone (in fact, they shouldn't), but they will be the first to show compassion to those they disagree with. That's why Jesus hung out with drunks, prostitutes, "tax collectors," and "sinners." He loved people. He didn't love all their actions--and didn't join them in all their behaviors--but He showed them that he loved them. True followers of Jesus are not preaching against people with addictions; they are volunteering at rehabilitation programs at local shelters. They're not bombing abortion clinics; they're working in the pro-life Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

2. The counterfeit Christ emphasizes jealousy; the genuine Jesus, joy.

Have you noticed how some followers of Christ jealousy guard their position and perks, whether they be deacons, pastors, or denominational executives? They insist on being referred to as "Deacon Jones," "Reverend Smith," or "Doctor Brown." They enjoy the reserved parking spots, the large offices, and the sense of honor bestowed by their followers.

Not the genuine Jesus! He condemned the Pharisees' status-seeking and ego-centric attitudes by warning them that the servant (the church custodian, the nursery worker, the person shoveling snow off the reserved parking spots) is the greatest in his Kingdom.

Jesus also had withering words for the wealthy who oppressed--or simply ignored --the poor.

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort" (Luke 6:20, 24).

Genuine followers of Jesus have a sense of joy and satisfaction in who they are--at whatever "level" on the social or ecclesiastical ladder they may find themselves.

Jesus said, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11).

3. The counterfeit Christ emphasizes politics; the genuine Jesus, peace.

If you've been turned off by a church where crucifying politicians is more popular than proclaiming the crucified Christ, that group of believers may be following a counterfeit Christ.

And, He also spoke of unity--not pew politics or doctrinal debates. Churches that are more interested in separating themselves--not only from the world, but from other believers who don't subscribe to their particular point of view--may be following the counterfeit Christ.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:20-23).

Perhaps the world is yet to know the genuine Jesus because the universal church is so far from "complete unity." Of course, there will always be doctrinal differences, but St. Paul urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body [of Christ] and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all . . ." (Ephesians 4:4-6).

There is at least one more kind of counterfeit Christ--the one who merely loves us, but makes no demands on our lives.

The genuine Jesus requires us to follow him.

He teachers, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15, ).

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him" (John 14:21).

". . . Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again'" (John 3:3).

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" (John 3:16-18).

But don't take my word on it! I'd invite you to explore for yourself the four books in the New Testament that record the genuine Jesus' teachings-- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (Read from a modern translation such as The New Living Translation, The New Revised Standard, or The New International Version. Or check out what the Apostle John wrote about knowing Christ personally.)

You'll discover someone who is real, honest, and authentic. And not at all like the caricatures of Christ we often see in the theater, television, and--unfortunately--in some of today's churches.

Copyright © 1997 James N. Watkins. All rights reserved.

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