Deceiver, Imposter, or Whom He Claimed to Be?

The above question at the end of one’s life will be the most important question that a person will ever be asked. And it is a question, like it or not, that every person will give an answer for. Who Is Jesus Christ? How might you answer that question being asked of you today? Master Teacher, a marvelous Physician, Emmanuel, a prophet, miracle worker, the Son of God, God Himself Incarnate in a physical body, I don’t know and don’t care! Or perhaps I don’t know but if possible, I would like to know?

This same question was asked by the Lord of His disciples in two passages of Scripture, Matthew 16:13 and Mark 8:27. In the Gospel of Matthew 16:13 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “whom do men say that I the Son of man am? The question asked of the Lord to his disciples is a question that every man and woman will have to answer either in this lifetime or in eternity to come.

Unlike the world of the pony express, we live in a media driven age of instant communications. Unfortunately also in the age that we live in, we are susceptible to, as in the recent case of news anchor Brian Williams, an age of miscommunication, political propaganda, half truths and down right lies. With our amazing internet, news around the world is only a click away. But on the downside, anyone can post anything on the internet, whether it be true or false. It has been said that if one tells a lie often enough it becomes believable by the populous. We have all been told, “you can keep your doctor, you can keep your health insurance” only to learn later that it was not true at all. Therefore, in this modern age of communication whom can we believe? Can we believe what we read, or what we are told via the media, can we believe those who labor in the field of science? Obviously there is truth and those who do speak truth, but obviously not all speak nor write truth. Deception (lying) is a part of the world that we live in and it began in a Garden called Eden. ( Ref. March 16th Star-Press)

Therefore, in that our generation lives in an age of instant communication but an age of sometimes questionable truth, is it no wonder much of our population has become agnostic and question the Bible and the claims of Christ?

Proposition: Jesus Christ was either whom He claimed to be or the greatest imposter and deceiver that the world has ever known. He was/is certainly the most central figure of all who have ever lived. He was born in great humility, shunned by the innkeeper to a stable of livestock and laid in a manager. He was not born of nobility, but to the son of a carpenter. A King was so infuriated at His birth that he went to extreme means to try and kill Him as a child. He never received any recorded formal education but authors have written more books about Him, song writers have written more songs about Him than any other person who has ever lived. He was raised in a small country of the middle east but His Gospel of Good News has encompassed all nations around the world. Thus with such credentials of such a humble person, one would give high priority to answer the question, Who Is Jesus Christ? Just who is this man born of humble means in obscurity but known around the world?

If He truly is a deceiver, an imposter (He claimed deity) to this unbelieving world, then it is a marvel that through His name, a deceiver, such great works and advancements have been accomplished around the world. Hospitals, Universities, Academy’s and great humanitarian causes have been created by those who have believed upon His name all to the advancement of our society. Furthermore, though He has not walked on earth as He did in His homeland, for nearly two thousand years, millions receive power from Him today as sinners in all walks of life have experienced deliverance in His name. Former drug addicts, prostitutes, drunkards, child molesters, liar’s, abusive mates, thieves, and sinners alike testify of a changed life as a result of confessing Jesus Christ as their Savior. (For all (of us) have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23) For such magnificent efforts one would surely consider Jesus Christ as “man of the year” or “man of the centuries” but instead He was condemned to be “man of the cross”.

In our justice system, the most credible evidence, for or against a person on trial would be those who could be called on the witness stand who were actual eye witnesses to the defendants charge. An eye witness account, or the account of several eye witnesses who give a unified description of what they saw take place is held in very high esteem. Therefore one would be wise to consider the testimony of those who were eye witnesses to the events surrounding the life of Christ over those who are now living 2,000 years thereafter and who were not there to report but scoff at the written historical record of the life of Christ. Therefore let us examine the historical record and call to the witness stand those who were eye witnesses that wrote and reported what they heard and viewed as they followed, the man of Galilee.

“Order in the Court, we are in court today to hear charges made against the defendant by the Priests, Rabbi’s, Scribes, and various Jewish brethren who levy charges against this man called Jesus.” “And what is the charge for this hearing? “The Jews Answered him, saying “For a good work we stone (bring to judgment) thee not, but for blasphemy: and because that thou being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10:33 “We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God” John 19:7 “Therefore your Honor, we the defense would call to the witness stand several eye witnesses for examination as to what they have seen and heard concerning this man called Jesus the Christ.”

We call John the Baptist to the witness stand. “John tell us who you are. Are you a prophet, are you the Messiah that is prophesized to come by the prophets of old?” “No, I am not a prophet nor am I the Messiah, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, baptizing in the River Jordan, that men everywhere need to repent. (gather knowledge and change their mind about sin, salvation and eternal life) “What can you tell us about this one called Jesus?” “One day I was baptizing the multitudes who had come to the River Jordan, I looked up and saw the Lord Christ standing there asking to be baptized. And I said, Lord I have need to be baptized of thee. But rather, He submitted to my baptism and when He came up out of the water, oh my, the Heavens opened, then the Spirit of God descended, it was like a dove, and lighting upon Him, and then there was this piercing voice from Heaven, This Is My Beloved Son in Whom I Am Well Pleased. Matthew 3:13 -17 Well needless to say, we all were very unnerved, I never saw nor experienced anything in my life like the day I baptized the THE SON OF GOD.”

“Next Your Honor we call to the witness stand Simon Peter. “Peter we understand that you have been associated with and a follower of this man called Jesus, for some time now, what can you tell us about Him”? “Oh my, where do I begin, I have so many things to relate, but being a fisherman I would relate to you some things relating to my trade and being on water. One night the Lord put us in a boat and sent us across the Lake while He stayed behind to pray, we were in the middle of the lake and it got very rough, so rough that we were afraid, it was then it happened, we thought we saw a ghost, it appeared that here in the middle of the lake someone was coming toward us. We had never been approached in the middle of the lake before and we knew we must be seeing things, there could be no one walking on water, but sure enough, it was the Lord Jesus. He saw that we were terrified and He said, “be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid” Matthew 14:22 – 27 Another time we were all in the boat crossing the sea, the Lord was exhausted, he had been speaking to the multitudes all day long. He soon fell asleep, we were rowing and not making much headway, a terrible storm came up, the wind was so strong the boat began to take in water, there was no question in my mind, we were going down. Finally out of desperation, we ran over and awaken Him, one of the disciples shouted, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” He stood up, raised His hand, spoke in a distinct tone, “Pease Be Still” and the sea became like glass.” We all thought, wow, cool, what manner of man is this that even the elements obey Him?” Mark 4: 36 – 41 “Any thing else that you would like to say, Peter?” “Yes, we were in the town of Caesarea Phillippi and the Lord questioned us saying, “whom do men say that I am?” My answer from all that I have seen and heard, “Thou art the Christ” This is He whom has been prophesied to come by the prophets of old.”

“Your Honor, we call to the witness stand a former blind man, would you please tell the court your story.” “Well you see sir, I was blind from birth. Never ever saw my parents, my brothers and my sister, I never saw a beautiful sunset nor a sunrise, as a blind man I found it difficult to find a job, thus I was pretty destitute, and had to resort to begging. One day while setting by the roadway begging, I met a man who questioned me of my blindness, he anointed my eyes with, they say spittle and clay and told me to wash in the pool of Siloam. After I washed in the pool of Siloam my eyes were open, for the first time I could see the blue sky, I could see the green grass, I was overcome with emotion, for the first time in my life I was normal, just like everyone else, no longer did I need a blind man’s cane.” “Can you tell us who this man is whom you met?” “ Yes, it was a man they called Jesus, my healing so angered the Pharisee’s and the Sadducees that they took me to task, they would not believe that this man healed me, they called Him a great sinner, after all they were men of authority and I became a bit intimidated, finally I quit trying to explain this miracle and I said, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not, but one thing I do know, that whereas once I was blind but now I can see. “ John chapter 9

“Your Honor, we call our last witness to the stand, A Roman Soldier, a centurion of the Roman guard who was in the Garden, in Pilot’s hall and a participant at the cross. Sir may we hear your account of these events?” I will begin with the night we were ordered to the Garden of Gethsemane, it was a very overcast dark night, our torches did not do much to defuse the darkness but we had with us, one called Judas who was leading the way, and informed us that whom he kissed would be the one called Christ. We came to the garden, took Him into custody, a short struggle ensued by one of his followers, Peter was his name, and he cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest, Malchus. Then this Jesus ordered him to put up his sword and he then healed and restored the ear of Malchus. Luke 22:51 From there we went to Pilot’s court where a trial took place. My shift ended and I retired. The next morning I received the orders of the day and when I read them, this man was condemned to die by hanging on the cross. But before this He was to suffer the horrible Roman scourging of 39 lashes with the Roman-Cat-of-Nine-Tails. There is no scourging like the Roman Cat of Nine Tails, often the 39 lashes with a whip made up of imbedded steel, glass, and other sharp objects, will cause death by bleeding and infection form the whipping alone. So by orders I was involved and from there we marched to Golgotha’s Hill. On the hill we were to crucify two thieves and this one called Jesus. It was a miserable day for me. I would ten thousands of times preferred to have been on the battle field engaged in warfare than to have been at Mt. Calvary. Strange things happened that day, the thieves of course resisted the guards, but this Jesus just laid down His life. Crowd control was the most difficult I had ever seen. The two thieves were basically ignored but not this Jesus. He was mocked, spat upon, given vinegar to drink, they said, “He saved others, let Him come down now and save Himself” The hatred for this man was fierce, Satanic to say the least. Though it was day, the sky became dark, there were signs in the sky, the veil in the Temple was rent into, it was just the most awful day of my life. And then He cried with a loud voice, bowed His head and died.

“Thank you for your testimony, being that you are not a follower of the Jewish religion, nor a religious man, how has this experience left you?” “Well granted, I was not a believer then, I knew little about this man, But (l conclude) Truly this man was the Son of God.” Mark 13:39 “And when the Centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”

YOU THE JURY have viewed the evidence from eye witnesses. You are also living some 2,000 years since these events occurred Many on the Jury have been taught Evolution and God has been removed from Schools, Courtyards, and our Churches. Many of the Jury are not knowledgeable nor Biblically well read. But the Jury is familiar with the arguments by atheists, scoffers, some but not all scientists and mockers who were not their. Who will you believe? 21st century skeptics, (not eye witnesses) or those who were reporting on the seen as the events took place? The choice is yours, you will either now or in the future have to answer, Who is Jesus Christ? The worlds greatest deceiver, imposter, or whom He claimed to be. He was crucified to atone for the sins of all mankind, but the hatred by His own people was because He claimed to be God Incarnate. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was With God and the Word Was God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1 – 2 “And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 (For 33 years God was among us in Human flesh, He walked and ministered in Judea) “He was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him Not.” John 1:10 (They did not recognize Him, did not accept Him as the God of creation, nor the God of redemption when He came to His own in Israel. His Jewish brethren and the nation of Rome made a choice. (Disbelief) And since that day, like His Jewish brethren, every man has had to make a choice. The redemption for the sins of mankind was paid for that day on the cross, the Holiness of God was satisfied with the blood sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, the perfect Lamb of God overshadowing all the imperfect animal sacrifices that had been given to God the Father from the Garden of Eden to a Hill called Mt. Calvary.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be Saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16 – 18 “That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 For whosoever shall call upon the name (of the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be Saved” Romans 10:13