Chapter 14: The Gift of Jesus

Page 25

The matter of belief in the cross is a serious issue between the three

major religions who believe in the God of Abraham. The majority of Jews believe Jesus was a righteous rabbi at best, at worse a rebel. They do not accept his sacrificial death on the cross as a final atonement for their sins. I read that Jews stopped animal sacrifices for sins and now rely on prayer. I

am curious about the history behind the change and when it took place.

Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet of God and they honor him, but Quran 4:157 teaches that it only looked like Jesus died on the cross. In

other words, Christ did not suffer crucifixion because “God raised him up.” It implies Jesus was switched with someone else who suffered crucifixion. Thus, Muslims also deny Christ’s final atonement for their sins. Verily I say to you the atonement for mankind’s sin by Jesus on the cross applies to both Jews and Muslims whether or not any of them believe in this gift of God.

In Gnostic Christianity, there is a belief that Jesus did not come in the form of a man but only appeared as one. This heretical theology is called “Docetism” and it first appeared in Gnostic theology circa 140 A.D.

To deny the humanity of Jesus comes from the spirit of the Antichrist. To deny the cross also denies God’s perfect sacrifice and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son. Jesus made it clear that blasphemy against the Father and

he would be forgiven. Such teachings appear to be blasphemy. Still, there is the matter of honoring Christ. In this regards, I believe it is possible to be confused on a physical or theological level and yet still honor Christ. Failure to honor Christ is failure to honor the Father who sent him.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son

does not honor the Father who sent him.” John 5:22-23

Indeed Jesus was more than a prophet for God. He was His begotten human Son. This does not make Jesus into God and Scripture is clear he is

not God. Yet to understand the gift of Jesus one needs to recognize that his human death on the cross was a final atonement for man’s sin.