Merely a Good Teacher?

Among those who refuse to obey Jesus’ teaching, there are many who attempt to take a “middle of the road” approach to His identity. They are not willing to say Jesus is the singular authoritative Lord to which they must submit, but they also will not say Jesus was a liar or a pretender. They claim that Jesus was a leading proponent of morality and love, but nothing more. Some writers have even argued, “Jesus never claimed to be a god or the Son of God.” Can such a view meld with the New Testament? Could it be that Jesus of Nazareth was merely a good teacher?

Consider how Jesus referred to the God of Heaven as His Father (Lk. 2:49; Mt. 7:21; 10:32). This is more than the generic sense in which all mankind owes its origin to God (Acts 17:28). His claim is also more than the specific sense in which Christians, by adoption, call God their Father (Rom. 8:15). His enemies understood exactly what He was saying, and Jesus made no efforts to dissuade them of the notion (Jn. 10:30-33). On multiple occasions, He clearly claims to be the one and only Messiah, the Son of God (Jn. 4:25-26; 9:35-38; Mt. 26:63-64). For an ordinary man to make these statements would be heinous and evil.

Notice that the crowds and those who believed in Jesus regarded Him as more than a good teacher. Even before the cross, people fell down at His feet and worshipped Him (Mt. 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25). As He entered Jerusalem, throngs of people called out, “Hosanna” and “Son of David,” marking Him as the source of salvation and the Messiah (Mt. 21:9). Surely, a good teacher would not allow such devotion! The Bible records God’s faithful responding to misplaced praise. When asked, John loyally professed, “I am not the Christ” (Jn. 1:19-20, 27). Peter and Paul displayed their goodness and commitment to the truth by correcting those who attempted to worship them (Acts 10:25-26; 14:11-15). Even angelic beings who are loyal to God refuse to be worshipped because only deity is worthy of it (Rev. 19:10; 22:9). Where are the verses showing Jesus refusing worship? None are found. What’s more, on multiple occasions Jesus chose to accept worship (Mt. 28:9, 17; Lk. 24:50-52; Jn. 20:28). Therefore, Jesus is either truly God or He is exceedingly wicked, but you cannot call Him merely a good teacher.

To take the “middle of the road” approach is to defy logic and deceive yourself. The meaning of Jesus’ teaching is clear, and God the Father has given His full backing to those claims (Mt. 3:17; 17:5; Acts 2:22). The truth of all He said has been confirmed (Jn. 3:2; 5:36). He is no liar (Tit. 1:2; 1 Pet. 2:22). Jesus Christ is the Savior, and all who abide in Him will have everlasting life (1 Jn. 5:11; 2 Jn. 9). Now is the time to obey Him!