Jesus Never Said That | Week 2 | Pastor Ben Pierce
Welcome to an exploration of one of the most profound questions humanity has ever faced: Who is Jesus? This article delves deeply into the claims, controversies, and compelling evidence surrounding Jesus Christ, crafted originally by Pastor Ben Pierce of Generation Church in Jupiter, FL. Through thoughtful logic, historical facts, and heartfelt reflection, we will unpack the truth about Jesus’ identity, his teachings, and what Easter truly means for each of us today.
The Challenge of Misquotations and Misunderstandings
In today’s world, many phrases are wrongly attributed to Jesus. Popular sayings like “Don’t judge me, bro,” or “Follow your heart and do what makes you happy” are often thought to be his teachings, but are not. These misquotes can distort the real message Jesus conveyed and sometimes even discourage people from a genuine exploration of faith.
Pastor Ben Pierce points out that understanding what Jesus said is crucial, especially during Easter, a time to reflect on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This reflection is not just about blind faith; it’s about applying logic and examining evidence to discover what you truly believe about Jesus and the words he spoke.
Faith and Reason: Balancing Heart and Mind
Faith is often perceived as purely emotional or irrational, but Pastor Ben, a former chemist, emphasizes that Christianity is supported by solid evidence and logical reasoning. He encourages believers to defend their faith intelligently and encourages skeptics to challenge their thinking openly.
One of the most famous biblical stories illustrating this balance is about Thomas, a disciple who doubted Jesus’ resurrection until he saw the nail wounds in his own hands. Jesus welcomed this doubt and invited Thomas to verify the truth firsthand. This story reminds us that needing evidence before believing is natural and accepted.
Did Jesus Claim to Be God?
A major point of contention is whether Jesus ever explicitly said, “I am God.” Pastor Ben explains that Jesus never used those exact words in Scripture. However, Jesus made numerous claims implying his divine nature – claims understood clearly by those around him, especially the Jewish leaders of his time, who accused him of blasphemy and sought to stone him for claiming to be God.
For instance, in John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” The Jewish leaders immediately recognized the implication and considered it blasphemy. This highlights that while Jesus was careful with his words, his audience understood the significance of his claims.
Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16 is another pivotal moment. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?”, Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed that this revelation was divinely inspired, not learned from human sources.
Jesus: The Most Influential Figure in History
Regardless of personal beliefs, no one can deny Jesus’ monumental impact on human history. From splitting time into BC and AD (or BCE and CE) to inspiring billions worldwide, Jesus remains the most conspicuous figure in history. The Bible, despite centuries of criticism and attempts to discredit it, remains the best-selling book globally.
Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, combined had less historical influence than Jesus did in just a few years of ministry. Today, there are approximately 2.38 billion followers of Jesus worldwide, and his teachings continue to shape cultures, laws, and ethics across the globe.
The Liar, Lunatic, or Lord Dilemma
One of the most famous logical arguments about Jesus’ identity comes from the theologian C.S. Lewis, who proposed that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. This trilemma challenges us to think critically about Jesus’ claims:
- Liar: If Jesus knowingly lied about being God, he would be a deceiver and a hypocrite.
- Lunatic: If Jesus believed he was God but wasn’t, he would be delusional or mentally unstable.
- Lord: If Jesus’ claims were true, then he is indeed the Lord and Creator.
Pastor Ben Pierce walks us through why the first two options are inconsistent with the evidence and the historical record.
Why Jesus Could Not Have Been a Liar
Jesus’ teachings were revolutionary and demanded radical commitment, including forsaking religious traditions and trusting him alone for eternal life. If Jesus had been lying, he would have been an evil manipulator, leading people to destruction. Yet, he willingly endured brutal crucifixion rather than recant his message—a risk no con artist would take.
Moreover, his closest followers, including the twelve disciples, died proclaiming his resurrection. People don’t typically die for lies they know to be false. The empty tomb and eyewitness accounts provide compelling evidence that convinced even skeptics like Jesus’ brother James and the apostle Paul.
Why Jesus Was Not a Lunatic
Some critics suggested Jesus was crazy or possessed by demons. However, his emotional health, moral character, and rational behaviour contradict this. He displayed compassion, empathy, anger against hypocrisy, and forgiveness—traits of a mentally sound individual.
Jesus’ miracles—raising Lazarus from the dead, healing the blind and lame—were so widely witnessed that even religious leaders could not deny them, only attempting to discredit their source. These miracles validated his divine authority.
The Historical Evidence for Jesus
The existence of Jesus as a historical figure is corroborated not only by biblical manuscripts but also by extra-biblical sources such as Jewish historians and Roman records. These sources confirm Jesus lived, taught, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate in the first century AD.
Importantly, the New Testament manuscripts are the most numerous and well-preserved documents from antiquity, with 99.9% textual agreement across thousands of copies. This is in stark contrast to other ancient works, which have far fewer surviving copies and more textual discrepancies.
Furthermore, many of the New Testament writings were produced within decades of Jesus’ life, not centuries later, which adds to their authenticity and reliability.
Jesus’ Unique Claims and Their Meaning
Jesus claimed to be not just a good teacher but the only way to God. In John 14:6, he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This was not an exclusive or unloving statement but a clear direction to the only path provided by God for salvation.
Pastor Ben compares this to a one-way street leading to his home: there is only one way to get there, not because he excludes others, but because he wants to be clear and helpful.
Rejecting this claim means rejecting Jesus’ identity as Lord, but accepting it opens the door to a new life and relationship with God.
The Impact of Jesus on Society and Morality
Christianity has been the foundation for many moral and societal reforms throughout history:
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Universities and modern science
- Civil liberties and justice standards
- Abolition of slavery
- Ethics of compassion, such as the Good Samaritan
- Development of art, music, literacy, and education
These achievements stem directly from the teachings and influence of Jesus and his followers, demonstrating the transformative power of his message.
The Resurrection: The Cornerstone of Christianity
The resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal event that validates all his claims. The empty tomb and numerous eyewitness accounts—over 500 people saw Jesus alive after his death—are well documented in 1 Corinthians 15.
The inability of religious leaders and Roman authorities to produce Jesus’ body supports the truth of the resurrection. If they could have disproved it, they surely would have.
Eyewitnesses like Peter, James, and Paul, who were initially skeptical, became bold proclaimers of the risen Christ, even at the cost of their lives.
Why Jesus Came: The Ultimate Act of Love
Jesus came to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile us with God. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God, but Jesus willingly took that penalty upon himself through his death on the cross.
He experienced every human temptation and suffering, yet remained sinless. His sacrifice was motivated by love—a love that persists even when we reject or ignore him.
This love offers us forgiveness, a fresh start, and eternal life if we choose to accept it.
Who Is Jesus to You?
The most important question since Jesus walked the earth remains: Who do you say Jesus is? The evidence is abundant and compelling, but faith requires a personal response beyond just knowledge.
Pastor Ben invites all readers to consider this question deeply. Like Thomas, you may need evidence to believe, and that’s okay. But remember, evidence only brings you to the edge—you must take the step of faith to experience the new life Jesus offers.
Jesus is described as the visible image of the invisible God, the creator of all things, and the head of the church. He holds creation together and offers purpose and destiny to every person who trusts in him.
Taking the Next Step: A Prayer for New Life
If you have never committed your life to Jesus, today can be the day of transformation. Pastor Ben shares a simple prayer to invite Jesus into your life:
Father God, I want to know you. Would you come into my life? Would you make your home in my heart? Would you forgive me of my sin? And would you make me a new person today? Jesus, thank you for doing what I could not do for myself—for dying in my place so that I could live. And because you did that, Jesus, I give you my life. I surrender my life, sin, Satan, this world. I turn my back on you. And Jesus, I will forever serve you. Would you give me purpose and destiny in this life? Today, I commit my life to you, Christ. And it’s in your name I pray. Amen.
Praying this prayer marks the most important moment of your eternity. It signifies a new beginning, washed clean by God’s grace, and welcomed into a loving family of believers.
Conclusion: The Best Is Yet to Come
As you reflect on the claims, evidence, and impact of Jesus Christ, remember that this is more than history or philosophy—it’s an invitation to a relationship with the living God. The story of Jesus continues to unfold in the lives of billions and the world around us.
Generation Church encourages you to explore this journey further, engage with a supportive community, and discover the purpose God has for your life. Whether you come seeking answers, healing, or hope, the message of Jesus offers all that and more.
Ultimately, Jesus never said some of the things we commonly hear attributed to him, but what he did say and do stands as the foundation for truth, love, and eternal life. This Easter, may you find clarity, courage, and faith to embrace the Lord who gave everything for you.