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"THE CONTRADICTIONS OF CHRIST"

Concerning Jesus Christ, controversies, contentions and numerous speculations have continued among the masses from his birth until this very day. Looking at the issue from a broad perspective, we will notice that Jesus himself joined the contradictions about himself. His entering into the issues, was mainly to set the records straight from the Father’s point of view. Before long, we will understand that the composition of the life story of Jesus Christ, has two distinct features. As we hear it being said from the pulpits by leading ministers of the gospel, that Jesus Christ was fully man, and fully God. This fact has resulted in confusion for many well thinking people, who earnestly seek for the truth. To solve the matter in truth as it is within the heart of God, we are obliged to adhere fully to the written word of God.

 We need to begin our study with the opening, biblical account of this man. This will put us on the right road, with the correct mindset for analyzing the subject from the Divine Perspective. Let us join the early account of the man Christ Jesus, in relation to his birth and as far as his parents are concerned. At the early stage of his life, we read: “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, (meaning that he had just past his 29^th birthday) being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.” Luke 3:23. Notice that this conclusion was based primarily upon a mere supposition, and it was without any biblical proof; and later, we shall see how Jesus interpreted this supposition about himself.

 However, while thinking of the birth of Christ, we are quickly reminded of the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary and the descriptive message he brought to her. This was before Jesus was even conceived, and at that early stage of his life, Jesus was portrayed to be the son of David; and later we shall see how the Lord himself responded to that fact. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:30-33. Since the angel was so specific about the throne of David, let us do a quick review of the facts surrounding the “so-called” throne of David, to understand the truth behind it. Thus, we read: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.” 1^st Chronicles 29:23.

The account of David and the throne of his father David continues in this account. During her visit with Solomon, the queen of Sheba was so impressed by the man Solomon and the glory of his kingdom, that she began to praise the Lord God, whom she hardly could have known. She exclaimed in conscious sentiment: “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” 2^nd Chronicles 9:8.

   We must conclude from these two scriptures that what is called the “throne of David” is really God’s throne. The writer of Hebrews wrote concerning a heavenly reality that was displayed in earthly objects saying: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure (type) for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Hebrews 9:7-9. Thus, as the tabernacle in the wilderness was a type of the Holy Ghost among God’s people and a heavenly order for the day and times then present, so David’s throne was a type of God’s throne in the heavens.

   Let us throw into this study what Gabriel said, and their fulfilment or the lack thereof. Sure enough, Christ was born as the angel said he would, and sure enough, he was named Jesus. But how do we explain the bulk of the prophecies the angel spoke that up to this point in time has not been fulfilled? According to Gabriel, Jesus was to be great, and he would be given the throne of David, and he would establish a kingdom that would never end. But alas! Jesus lived until about 33 or 34 years old and was crucified. In another 30 to 40 years, even all his disciples died or was put to death under severe persecutions; and soon, the fires of Pentecost was put out and made way for the “Dark Ages” to take to the world stage with the light of the gospel just about extinguished. Be that as it may, we have to conclude that what Gabriel said concerning the kingdom that Christ would establish upon the earth, must still be a part of God’s blueprint for creation.

   Jesus entered upon the world scene as the son of David, and he was addressed that way many times: but as we shall see, he finally addressed the matter in his own time and in his own style. As he went by, people with severe needs called out to him for help. “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.” Matthew 9: 27. “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaemus, the son of Timaeus sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Mark 10:46,47. Jesus carried on with the ministry he was engaged in and did not address the matter of him being called the son of David. At least, not yet.

  When we consider the relationship between Jesus and Mary his mother, we find in scripture that he never addressed her as “mother” or “Mom.” Every time he addressed her, he called her “woman.” Even at the last moments of his life upon the cross he addressed her “woman” behold thy son. Jesus was addressing the people when his mother and brethren came, wanting to speak with him. “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother, and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:46-50.

 That was a poignant answer to say the least! Although Jesus did not identify fully with the flesh and any kind of relationship in the flesh, he thought it useful and prudent to raise the issue with his disciples. “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, the son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word.” Matthew 22:41-46. This was a rather diplomatic way to address the issue concerning David being his father.

 Through out his short earthly ministry, it is clearly defined in scripture that Jesus maintained no affinity with the flesh. In other words, he did not maintain a relationship based up the flesh. Christ did not believe that he held any allegiance to the flesh and those who live in that world—as we shall soon see. When we use the term; the contradictions of Christ, it stands to reason that some of these contradictions were made by Christ himself. As we just saw, Jesus, by posing a question, introduced the question of David being his father to a decisive conclusion. The case he made was simply that if David was his father, David would not have called him Lord; and Jesus brought the crux of the matter to the front line and all would have to agree that if in reality, Jesus was the son of David, David could not have called him Lord.

 That should put the matter to rest and give way to the truth. Jesus did not entangle himself into the passages of scripture about himself, or the people who called to him along the side of the road “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” He lived and ministered from a higher place, and from a reality that at that time, was known only by him. But as we retrace his footsteps and listen to his sermons, we see clearly that he placed no value or any great significance to where he was born, to when he was born, or to the manner of his childhood days. While he lived and even worked as a man, those elements could only be applied to his mortal life. Because his brethren was made flesh and blood, he partook of the same, and in so doing, he leveled the playing field “as the saying goes”. 

Listen to this account concerning Jesus. “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in you sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:21-23. Jesus, not being of this world in simple terms, means that he was an extra terrestrial being. The word extra-terrestrial means “out of this world, or not belonging to this world.

 The apostle Paul added his views to the subject of Christ’s origin in this verse: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.” 1^st Corinthians 15:47. When we take into account all these underlying truths concerning Jesus Christ, we are compelled to see him in a different light—a different frame of mind—a different perspective that elevates us up to a higher plateau from whence we are given a panoramic view of the things concerning Jesus Christ and his kingdom upon the earth. It is no wonder then, that as he walked down the street, devils cried out “We know thee whom thou art.”

 “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” Luke 4:33,34. By this we can understand that the real Jesus Christ, who was with the Father in the beginning—the Word—GOD, who became flesh and dwelt among us, was well known before time began among those who dwelt in the realm of spirit. This is why we are informed on this basis: “Wherefore I give you to understand , that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.” 1^st Corinthians 12:3. Paul added a thought that we will do well to interject at this juncture as he wrote: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea; though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more i.e after the flesh. 2^nd Corinthians 5:16.

 Throughout the days and years that the disciples of Christ followed him, and even learned him in an intimate setting, they saw him and related to him in basic human terms. For whatever reason they dropped all to follow him; it was not based on any spiritual persuasion because up to that point in time, these were normal men acting upon normal human impulses. Perhaps based upon personal admiration and a simple belief in what Jesus taught. It could have been that his teachings offered a future relief from the oppression of Rome; and the promise of a kingdom of their own served as the greatest incentive to follow this man. Jesus had said: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” John 6:44. Thus, we can assume that the gathering around Jesus of this small band of men was absolutely the work of the heavenly Father. But up until the day of Pentecost, these were still natural men, seeing, and following Jesus based on literal incentives and reasons. After the Holy Ghost came on Pentecost, they were all transformed, and from thence they saw Jesus no more after the flesh.

Paul added to his thought and a concept that he wanted the Corinthian Christians to adopt and live by. Therefore, because of the mighty workings of the Holy Spirit in changing the lives of the saints, both in and out of the church; “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: (or a new creation) old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2^nd Corinthians 5:17. Some versions of scripture renders it this way: “All things are becoming new.” This sits well in the process as we sing the song that “it takes time to be holy” and since we came into the Body as new born babes, desiring the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby, we need to become acquainted with the new things being introduced by the Holy Spirit, in an ever learning and growing process.

 Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, it is clearly demonstrated that he never committed himself to any allegiance to the flesh. Whether it was his parents, his brethren, his relationship as being the son of David, he always promoted his heavenly image as his real person. But look again at the language of scripture. “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ (from the dead) to sit on his throne.” Acts 2:30. The term “according to the flesh” is of vital importance, since it acts as a sort of “clarifier” as to the legitimacy of Christ’s claim to the throne of David.

 This is also why we read in Luke 3.23: “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.” Here again, we see that the tern (as was supposed) serves as a qualifier in his later claim to have a right to the throne of David. Yes! These are technical terms, but they are used for legal transactions as to how those transactions would be viewed at large. It is like a legally adopted child being given the rights to certain legal claims under the law.

 Another point of interest we can observe for a moment is found in John 1:18. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Perhaps time and time again, over and over, we have read this verse and passed on without paying any attention to what the verse is actually saying. It is speaking of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son who was now walking on the earth in a human-like body, while at the same time he is in the bosom of the Father. 

Many times, in scripture, Jesus spoke of the Father being with him; living in him, and it was his Father who did the work. He never once thought of himself as being separate from the Father. Jesus demonstrated how it is possible for us to live and work as human beings, while being connected to our heavenly Father by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. By God’s own Spirit, we are able to lead a normal life as humans, while at the same time, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. I often said in sermons that we have to become people who live and walk on earth in our earthly bodies, but while our feet are on the ground, we have grown so tall that our heads have reached the heavenly places in Christ.  

Every claim Jesus made in his earthly ministry was legal because of the terms of his conception and birth. The Lord introduced that concept even before the angel Gabriel announced: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him, the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32. However, as we have shown above in previous scriptures that Jesus himself cast doubt on the subject of him being the son of David, by suggesting that if David in spirit called him Lord, saying the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand until I make thy enemies thy footstool; if he called him Lord how is he his son?

 We simply have to put two and two together to see David’s point the he made in refuting the idea of him being the son of David. We are given hints and suppositions concerning Christ’s dealings with human beings on whatever level as shown in scripture. He always gave an account of himself as being from a higher realm of existence before time, when he was with the Father. In fact, even while on earth, healing the sick and casting out devils, he said it was the Father living in him who, in reality, did the works. HE IS FROM ABOVE INDEED!

 Soon, Jesus was faced with the idea of his relationship with David, in which he was publicly believed to be the son of David. But we need to bear in mind that indeed Christ is recorded in scripture as being the son of David. Because this was a well known fact, many local people called upon him as “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy upon me.

Royce O. Kennedy