Week 6: Jesus and Moses

• Key verses: Deuteronomy 18:18; Acts of the Apostles 13:39
• Jesus is greater than any superhero
• Jesus has no secret identity
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Deuteronomy 18:18 (NLT)

I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.

Acts of the Apostles 13:39 (NLT)

Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. 

Jesus is greater than any superhero

Have ever noticed that every superhero, and every super villain for that matter, has a weakness or flaw? The same is true of the Hebrew superheroes, Abraham father of the nation, Moses founder of the nation, and David most revered king of the nation. These represent the best of the Hebrew people and proof of God’s calling and blessing on them. They all had flaws –  lying, adultery, and murder. But God blessed them and the nation of Israel through them.

Jesus is greater than all of them. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, the completion of the law of Moses, and the king who sits on the throne of David forever. He lived a perfect, moral life. He has no weaknesses or flaws. He has been raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. He is greater than any superhero. Jesus is God.

I’m so glad this is true. Aren’t you?

Jesus has no secret identity

Unlike Superman who had Clark Kent or Batman who is Bruce Wayne, Jesus does not hide who he is. Throughout his life, he declares who he is.

When God gives his name to Moses from the burning bush, he calls himself, “I am who I am.” This name of Gos translated LORD throughout the Bible. In theology, we use the transliteration of Jehovah or Yahweh. Words are important. Many times Jesus would say “I am” during his life on earth. “I am the bread of life.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jews of that time knew that Jesus was stating that he is God. Words matter.

What do we do with this? I am reminded of C.S. Lewis’ declaration that we can only see Jesus in one three ways. Jesus is a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. It is not uncommon to hear people talk about Jesus as a great teacher. While true, he is either much more based on his teaching, or he is a liar. In his teaching, he calls himself God. This is the foundation of his teaching. His resume. If it’s not true, his teaching is built on lies or a deranged mind or self-deception. Which is it? Is Jesus’ teaching built on truth or lies?

Jesus [. . .] told people that their sins were forgiven. [. . .] This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin. [. . .] I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.”

That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

Mere Christianity, CS Lewis

Jesus has no secret identity.  

Parting thoughts

We are country who loves our heroes from history and fiction. George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Jack Ryan, and Steve Rogers to name a few. We love what they stand for and, frankly, the fact that they are not perfect. I think this is why we are offended by and scared of Jesus. He is perfect and we aren’t. He is not a hero, he is God.

This year our church is using the book Core 52 as a personal study to help us strengthen our knowledge of the Bible and grow our faith together. As part of my faith journey, I will be writing my thoughts and insights here.