CONTINUING STORY

As part of my ongoing reflections on the existence of God, it is difficult to ignore the figure of Jesus Christ. His teachings, actions, and the testimony of those who encountered Him form a body of evidence that continues to resonate across history.

The Gospel accounts present not merely a moral teacher, but someone who spoke and acted with divine authority. The gospel writers have preserved the hard teachings of Jesus alongside the comforting ones. They might have been tempted to omit difficult passages about sacrifice, discipleship, forgiveness, wealth, and persecution. The fact that these were retained may suggest that the writers were concerned with fully preserving what Jesus actually said rather than creating an appealing message.

JESUS AND HIS DIVINITY

Jesus makes profound claims about Himself and His relationship with God. He refers to God as His Father and speaks of an eternal connection: “Before Abraham was born, I am – John 8:58″. This is not the language of a simple teacher—it is a claim that transcends time and human limitation.

His message is equally striking. He speaks of a God who knows each individual intimately and who desires a relationship with humanity. This is a personal God, not an abstract force.

DISBELIEVERS

At the same time, Jesus is uncompromising about the cost of truth. He warns that following Him will bring division, not comfort, and that His message will not always be accepted. This honesty adds weight to His credibility; He is not appealing for popularity.

PREDICTIONS

The Gospels also record that Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection—events which His followers later proclaimed as fulfilled. That such claims were made, recorded, and believed by eyewitnesses is significant.

Importantly, these accounts are grounded in history. Luke, for example, explicitly states that his writing is based on eyewitness testimony. Details such as the Roman census and named individuals anchor the narrative to real events and places.

HUMAN CONDITION

There is also a striking consistency in human response to Jesus. Some believed immediately; others doubted—even those closest to Him. The apostles Philip and Thomas questioned Him on their understanding of His preachings. Many rejected Him outright. This range of reactions mirrors human nature and lends authenticity to the accounts.

Nevertheless, His listeners knew they were hearing something different from the customary religious instructions of the day. Jesus was a master and magnetic communicator. He spoke confidently about God, forgiveness, morality, eternal life, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Imagine the impact of these teachings upon the assembled crowds.

He challenged hypocrisy, pride, and injustice with remarkable boldness, yet at the same time showed incredible concern for the poor, sick, the outcast, and the sinner. His message was neither legalism nor mere sentimentality. Instead, he called people to moral transformation while simultaneously offering forgiveness and hope.

Jesus claimed He had the authority to forgive sin, to interpret divine law, and to reveal the will of the Father.

HEALING OF THE SICK

Beyond His words, Jesus’ actions reinforce His claims. Reports of miracles, healings, and authority over nature are not presented as myths, but as witnessed events. In one account, a man healed of blindness simply states: “I was blind and now I can see” – John 9:25. It is a humble yet powerful testimony.

PROMISE

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” John 8:12.

ENDURING MESSAGE

Perhaps most compelling is the impact of Jesus’ life after His death. A small group of ordinary, uneducated followers went on to proclaim His resurrection with conviction, even in the face of persecution. Within a short time, thousands had come to believe.

This raises an important question: what could account for such a transformation?

The enduring influence of Jesus—His teachings, His claimed resurrection, and the spread of belief in God through Him —continues to invite reflection.

If these accounts are even partly true, they point not only to an extraordinary living figure, but to something far greater: the extreme likelihood that God exists and has entered into human history in a personal and transformative way. No one else has represented God in such a compelling and influential manner.

It is significant to note too, that through the gift of the consecrated bread and wine, which Jesus delegated to His apostles at the Last Supper, Christians in a number of religions are able to receive Jesus into their hearts sacramentally via His holy communion throughout their lifetimes.

Mike

mike@acaseforgod.com

Post 29 of a 33-part series exploring the evidence for the existence of God.

In my next Blog (of two parts), we take a more intimate look at the lives of the gospel writers and a selection of their gospel writings.