Jesus is different

We know Jesus is different from the earliest accounts of His life. The gospels are the recordings of life with Jesus written by the Apostles, His disciples. Mark, though not an original Apostle, was a disciple of Peter. As a result, much of his information comes directly from Peter telling him what Jesus said and did. 

Currently, I am reading through the gospel of Matthew, and I already read Mark this year. I read part of the gospels nearly every day. It reminds me who I believe in and why.

When reading these historical accounts illustrating how Jesus is different, I see how he was shaking things up. Consider the following few samples.

What other moral leader ever entered the main place of worship they claimed to lead, then starts tossing tables and chasing people out? Mark 11:15-17

Jesus curses a fruit tree one day. The next morning it is completely dead from the roots. Mark 11:14 & 21

He also made mud with His own spit, placed it on a blind man’s eyes. After washing it off as directed, the man’s sight was completely restored. John 9:6-7

This man of peace says he came to pit families against each other. Matthew 10:37-39

Many of His day said Jesus could not be good because He ate dinner with “sinners” and tax collectors. Matthew 9:10-13

With these and all the other examples, Jesus remained above sin. He remained in continual relationship with His Abba.

Yes, Jesus is different, because He is 100% God and 100% human. 

He is the Word of God that breathed everything into existence.

He is the Law of Moses and the fulfillment of that law. 

But Jesus is not religious, He is relational, the most relational being that has ever existed. 

Jesus designs and creates each of us in love. 

When our free will naturally leads us away from relationship, Jesus came to buy us back into relationship with Him.

Jesus needs nothing from us yet gives us everything we need for life and godliness.

Jesus never shames or accuses us.  Shame and accusation belong to another. As gently as possible, Jesus reveals our bad choices that separate us from Him, while always inviting us back into relationship with Him. 

Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life that successfully results in wholeness.

Abba, thank you for sending Jesus and for how His differences help us to break into relationship with You. Give us the grace and strength to grow increasingly like Jesus. Amen