The Incomparable Christ

1. The New Testament presents a unified, multifaceted witness to Jesus.

The event of Jesus Christ is far too great to be caught and held in one interpretation and one only.

Four distinct portraits. The four Gospels offer unique perspectives on Jesus: Matthew presents him as the fulfillment of Scripture and the law, Mark as the Suffering Servant, Luke as the Saviour of the world, and John as the Word made flesh. These are not contradictory but complementary dimensions of God's saving purpose, like the length, depth, breadth, and height of Christ's love.

Unity in diversity. Despite different authors (at least nine), literary forms, and specific emphases, the New Testament maintains a singular focus on Jesus Christ. The apostles preached the same gospel, and the early church recognized a fundamental unity in their witness, centered on the historical Jesus acknowledged as the transcendent Lord.

Normative witness. This diverse yet united New Testament testimony serves as the authentic portrait of Jesus. It is the standard by which all subsequent interpretations and presentations of Christ must be judged, ensuring that we encounter the original Jesus rather than human distortions.

2. Jesus is the unique God-Man, fulfilling prophecy and embodying God's nature.

It is needful that the very same Person who is to make this satisfaction be perfect God and perfect man, since no-one can do it except one who is truly God, and no-one ought to do it except one who is truly man.

Prophetic fulfillment. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the Christ who fulfills Old Testament prophecy, recapitulating Israel's story and inaugurating the kingdom of God. He is the son of David, the new Moses, and the fulfillment of the law's radical demand for heart-righteousness.

Truly God and truly human. Early church councils, like Nicea and Chalcedon, wrestled with Jesus' identity, affirming against heresies that he is both fully divine and fully human. This "God-man" nature is crucial because only a being who is both God and man can bridge the gap between humanity and God and make satisfaction for sin.

Mystery of the incarnation. While councils defined Jesus' dual nature "without confusion, without change, without division, without separation," the incarnation remains a profound mystery. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of his being, yet he became flesh and dwelt among us.

3. The Church's historical presentations of Jesus vary, often needing correction by the original witness.

For if someone comes who proclaims another Jesus, not the Jesus whom we proclaimed...you manage to put up with that well enough.

Diverse historical images. Down the centuries, the church has presented Jesus in many ways, reflecting different cultural contexts and theological emphases. Examples include:

• Christ the perfect monk (St. Benedict)
• Christ the feudal debtor (Anselm)
• Christ the heavenly bridegroom (Bernard of Clairvaux)
• Christ the ethical exemplar (Thomas à Kempis)
• Christ the human teacher (Enlightenment figures like Jefferson and Renan)
• Christ the tragic victim (John Mackay's "Other Spanish Christ")
• Christ the social liberator (Gustavo Gutierrez and liberation theology)

Accommodation vs. authenticity. While some presentations faithfully reflect the biblical witness (like Luther's Christ the gracious Saviour or the councils' Christ the God-Man), others have accommodated Jesus to prevailing philosophies or cultural trends. This can lead to "another Jesus," stripped of essential aspects like his deity, miracles, or redemptive work.

Need for discernment. The church must constantly compare its contemporary understanding of Jesus with the original apostolic testimony. This critical reflection prevents the church from imprisoning Christ in its own prejudices and traditions and ensures that the Jesus proclaimed is the authentic one.

4. Authentic faith requires returning to the New Testament Jesus, not cultural accommodation.

We must look, and go on looking, till we have certainly seen exactly what is there.

Avoiding distortion. The temptation to present Jesus in a way that is palatable to contemporary culture can lead to eliminating aspects that might offend, such as the cross or his exclusive claims. This "Christian procrusteanism" forces Jesus into a predetermined mold, resulting in anachronisms and caricatures.

Surrender to the text. To encounter the authentic Jesus, we must approach the biblical text with humility and openness, setting aside our preconceptions. Like appreciating art, the first demand is surrender: "Look. Listen. Receive. Get yourself out of the way."

Washing the face of Jesus. Evangelism is not just about methodology but about authenticity and credibility. Often, the task is to "wash the face of Jesus," which has been dirtied and distorted by historical compromises and antagonistic propaganda, revealing the true, incomparable Christ of the New Testament witness.

5. Jesus' life and teachings inspire radical transformation and social action.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected our life on earth as much as that one solitary life.

Profound historical impact. Jesus Christ has had an unparalleled influence on human history, shaping not only religious belief but also:

• Art, architecture, music, and painting
• Science and legal systems
• Moral standards and values, especially the dignity of the human person
• Movements for justice, human rights, and social reform

Diverse sources of inspiration. Different aspects of Jesus' story and teaching have inspired specific individuals and movements:

• His birth in poverty inspired Francis of Assisi's life of simplicity.
• His work as a carpenter inspired George Lansbury's commitment to manual labor and the working class.
• His Sermon on the Mount inspired leaders like Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. in their commitment to non-resistance and social change.

Beyond mere imitation. While Jesus called his followers to "follow me" and imitate his example, this is not merely outward conformity. It is rooted in trust in Christ as Saviour and union with him, leading to a transformed life that reflects his character and priorities in the world.

6. Jesus' compassion drives followers to serve the suffering and marginalized.

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’

Champion of the outcast. Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion for those marginalized by society: the leaderless crowds, the hungry, the bereaved, the blind, and especially the sick, including leprosy sufferers. He reversed social priorities by showing special concern for the poor, disabled, and underprivileged.

Touching the untouchable. Jesus' willingness to touch a man with leprosy was an act of profound courage and compassion, inspiring followers throughout history to care for those afflicted by stigmatized diseases. This led to the establishment of early hospitals and later missions dedicated to leprosy care.

Ministry of service. Inspired by Jesus' example, Christians have been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts. Figures like Thomas Barnardo, who rescued destitute children, and Samuel Logan Brengle, who embraced humility in service, exemplify how Jesus' actions motivate followers to undertake even the most menial tasks out of love.

7. Jesus' death and resurrection are the central acts of salvation and victory.

To me, born a child of sin, this redemptive love fills and thrills every fibre of my being.

Atoning sacrifice. Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant who came "to give his life as a ransom for many," emphasizing the necessity of his death for securing spiritual liberation. Anselm later articulated this as a debt owed to God, which only the God-Man could repay.

Justification by faith. Martin Luther rediscovered the gospel truth that acceptance with God is received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, based on his atoning sacrifice. This doctrine of justification is central, making Christ our gracious Saviour and leaving no room for human boasting.

Victory over death and evil. The resurrection is not just survival but a decisive victory over death and the powers of evil. Revelation depicts Christ as the Lamb who was slain but now stands victorious, uniquely qualified to open the scroll of history because he triumphed at the cross. This victory is the source of Christian hope and fearlessness.

8. Jesus' exaltation and gift of the Spirit empower the church's global mission.

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

Universal authority. Jesus' ascension signifies his exaltation to the supreme position of honor and authority at the right hand of God, making him "King of kings and Lord of lords." This universal lordship is the fundamental basis for the church's worldwide mission.

Zeal for Christ's honor. The longing that Christ should be given the honor due to his name is a powerful missionary motivation. Henry Martyn, for example, was consumed by zeal for the exalted Christ, driving him to translate the Scriptures and preach the gospel even unto death.

The Spirit's missionary role. Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit by the exalted Christ, was fundamentally a missionary event. The Spirit empowers the church's witness, enabling the gospel to spread to all nations and gather a people for God from every tribe and language.

9. Jesus is the eternal, sovereign Lord who controls history and calls for repentance.

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.

Throne at the center. Revelation reveals Christ sharing God's throne, symbolizing his sovereignty and control over the universe and history. The Lamb who was slain is the only one worthy to open the scroll of history, demonstrating that the cross is the key to understanding its course.

Warnings and calls to repent. The trumpets in Revelation symbolize God's warnings to the world, calling people to repent in the face of natural disasters and human suffering. Despite defiance and impenitence, Christ's patience endures, and the gospel continues to be proclaimed as a call to himself.

Certainty of judgment. While Christ's return is sudden and unexpected ("like a thief"), the final judgment is certain. The bowls of wrath symbolize God's final, retributive justice upon impenitence and evil, culminating in the destruction of all opposition to God.

10. Jesus will return visibly to judge evil and establish a new creation.

Then the great dragon was thrown into the lake of fire...where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.

Triumph over evil. Revelation depicts Christ as the victorious rider on the white horse, coming in power and glory to judge and destroy the forces of evil – the dragon, the two beasts (persecution and false religion), and the harlot (corrupt civilization). This is not a battle but the execution of a victory already won at the cross.

Last judgment. Following the destruction of evil powers, the dead will be judged according to their deeds, with their destiny determined by whether their names are in the book of life. This public judgment reveals the authenticity of faith and underscores accountability to Christ.

New heaven and earth. The culmination of God's plan is the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, where the dwelling of God is with humanity. This renewed universe, symbolized by the secure city, the life-giving garden, and the intimate wedding, will be free from sin, pain, and death, embodying eternal life in fellowship with God and the Lamb.

11. The incomparable Christ is the ultimate reality, worthy of worship and trust.

There is nobody like him; there never has been, and there never will be.

Unique in person and work. The New Testament consistently presents Jesus Christ as unique – the only God-Man, the only Saviour, the only mediator, the only one worthy of universal worship. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and exaltation are unparalleled events in human history.

Center of everything. Jesus is the center of history (BC/AD), the focus of Scripture (bearing witness to him), the heart of mission (commending a person), and the ultimate reality revealed in Revelation (the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last).

Worthy of worship and trust. The appropriate response to the revelation of the incomparable Christ is worship, witness, and hope. He is the authentic Jesus by whom all human pictures must be judged, and knowing him personally leads to a transformed life compelled by his love.

Last updated: May 10, 2025