Dear Editor:

Let’s say a stranger comes to you and says they know your buddy, John. But the facts they assert about your buddy John are wrong. You could safely assume that they are referring to a different John.

With that in mind, there are many religions who claim they know Jesus. But do they know the same Jesus of the Bible?

For example, Mormonism believes that Jesus and Lucifer were spirit brothers. That’s not the Jesus of the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the Archangel. That’s not in the Bible, either. Muslims believe he was just a prophet. That is definitely not what the Bible teaches. Baha’i teaches that Jesus was just a messenger. Notice that these religions are not teaching what’s in the Bible: that Jesus is God in human flesh.

The real Jesus sparked more controversy than any other religious leader in history. He made radical claims. He spoke not from but with authority. And with that same authority he forgave people’s sins. He healed without medicine, fed thousands with a boy’s lunch, he calmed a raging sea.

He claimed to be the way, the truth and the life. He said no man comes to the father but through him. He claimed to be the bread of life, the light of the world and the good shepherd. He claimed to be the true vine, the resurrection and the life. And he was ultimately crucified because he claimed to be God.

He conquered death by rising from the grave — just like he said he would. How is that? Because he is the Christ, the savior of the world, king of kings and lord of lords. He is God incarnate.

So if someone comes to you talking about Jesus, but he doesn’t sound like he’s talking about the Jesus of the Bible … that’s because he probably isn’t.

Tim Waters

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