Some doubt that Jesus ever existed. But they’re in the minority. There’s just too much evidence to the contrary: The first century Roman historian Tacitus (born c. AD 55) mentions Jesus in his Annals (15:44). Tacitus’ Jewish contemporary, Josephus (born c. AD 37), references Jesus twice in his Antiquities of the Jews (18.3.3; 20.9.1). Pliny the Younger (born AD 61), the Roman magistrate, mentions Jesus in his letter to the Emperor Trajan (Letters, vol. 2, 10:96). And the second-century satirist, Lucian of Samosata (born AD 125), speaks of Jesus in his work The Death of Peregrine (11-13).
The Gospel Saves Posts
In the last post I brought up the signal vs noise ratio and how it is used metaphorically to differentiate factual/relevant information from false/irrelevant information. Signal is the factual and relevant info; noise is the false and irrelevant info. I then posed the question, where does someone go to find the “signal” about Christianity? With the endless number of sources on Christianity this seems like an impossible question to answer. One could go to the bookstore, library, internet, friends, family, religious leaders…the list could go on and on. So, where can you reliably go to find factual and relevant information about Jesus, God and the church?
Have you heard of the signal vs noise ratio? It is a science and engineering ratio used to measure the desired signal being received in a transmission versus the amount of noise in the background. Even if you are unfamiliar with the ratio itself you are certainly familiar with the concept. Ever listened to the radio, talked on cell phone or played walkie-talkie as a kid? Then you are familiar with the concept.
The parable of The Wise Man and the Foolish man clearly teaches us that if we call Jesus Lord we must obey Him. Further, it teaches that we must build our lives on hearing and doing the will of the Lord. What if I call him Lord, and don’t do his commands? What if I confess that he is Lord (Romans 10:9) and don’t build my life on him? In the Matthew account of the parable Jesus tells us that if we call him Lord but do not follow his will in the judgement he will tell us, “I never new you”.
In the previous post we examined how Jesus introduces the subject of parable with the question; “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” There are many in the world that confess that Jesus is Lord, and yet do not follow his commands. Yet Jesus tells us in the Matthew 7 account that these people are not his and will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
In the previous post we gave a brief overview of the parable of the wise man and the foolish man. In this post I would like to focus on the introduction to the parable. Jesus introduces his thoughts by telling us:
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ (23) And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
The gospel presents everyone with a binary solution set. We can either accept the message or reject it. Partial acceptance is counted as rejection.
Are you familiar with the idea of religious pluralism? Pluralists believe that all religions are essentially teaching the same things and directing their practitioners to the same goal. You may have seen the “Coexist” bumper stickers where the word is spelled with the various symbols of major religions. That’s a pluralist message. Pluralism is best illustrated by the parable of the elephant.
1Cor. 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” This, among other similar passages, teach us that the Spirit of God becomes a part of our lives in a unique and living way through salvation in Jesus Christ. Because the Holy Spirit is not of flesh, there is no way to sense His presence in us. It is through faith we know He is there.