The Lord Jesus is the kindest and most compassionate person to walk the face of the earth. He gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk, cleansed lepers, raised the dead, and showed concern for the poor (Matthew 11:5). He wept over the impending destruction of Jerusalem, and was burdened for the souls of the oppressed (Luke 19:41-44; Matthew 9:35-38).
However, I think the professed church likes to convey this Jesus to the world without sharing the “other” Jesus or the complete Jesus. After all, who would get offended by this Jesus? The one who accepts you as you are and who supports you no matter what you do or think.
The problem is that without the “other” Jesus, it’s highly unlikely a person will have their sins forgiven, enter into a personal relationship with Him, have their eternal destiny changed, or become a child of God.
The “other” Jesus made a whip of cords and drove men out of the temple on at least two occasions, because they were making merchandise of the temple instead of using it as a place of worship and prayer (John 2:13-16, Matthew 21:12-13).
The “other” Jesus holds up truth over acceptance and tolerance, proclaims severe judgment on the religious hypocrites, and will return to make war on the world (John 17:17; Matthew 23:13-15; Revelation 19:11-15).
The “other” Jesus died a brutal death on the cross, claims that the only way to heaven is through faith alone in Him alone, and states that those who have not received Him as Lord and Savior are under the wrath of God the Father (Isaiah 52:14, John 3:16-18, 36).
The “other” Jesus claims to be the only way to salvation, demands complete allegiance, death to your will and dreams, and expects you to put Him above everything and every person (John 14:6; Matthew 10:34-39).
The “other” Jesus in reality is the true Jesus who is revealed in the Scriptures. Yes, the Jesus of the bible is kind, compassionate, caring, and forgiving. However, He is not only those things, and to portray Him that way is not only erroneous and detrimental, but unkind and discouraging.
The Jesus of the Bible lived a perfect life and therefore gives us an example of impeccable morality and integrity to follow (Hebrews 4:15). Although it is true and uplifting to know that the Jesus of the Bible accepts a person wherever they are, it is equally true and encouraging to know that those who trust Him as Lord and Savior are given the same desire and ability to live a moral and virtuous life! (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 3:9-10).
The Jesus of the Bible is just when He punishes the wicked and protects the innocent and vulnerable. (Matthew 24:46-51) We need to understand and embrace that justice is a good thing! After all, don’t most people in our country and the world cry out in indignation for righteous justice? Who among us wouldn’t want to see sex traffickers, child abusers, and arrogant dictators brought to justice!
Thus, the other Jesus should be revealed to all. Morality, virtue, and justice are not things that should be hidden and shunned, but embraced and conveyed. Therefore, I encourage all Bible-believing Christians to share the “other” Jesus as our society desperately needs Him!
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