Jesus Lived A Sinless Life

The Disciples who knew him best testified to his character.

The author of Hebrews said,

• For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15)

Peter said,

• “but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.” (1 Peter 1:19)
• “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22)
• “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18)

John said,

• “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29)
• “And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
• “Which of you convicts me of sin?” Jn 8:46

Paul said,

• God made him who had no sin to be sin for us (2 Cor 5:21)

His enemies and others:

Judas said,

• “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Mt 27:4)

Pilate said,

• “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Mt 27:24)

Pilate’s wife said,

• “Have nothing to do with that just man” (Mt 27:19)

The Centurion said,

• “Certainly, this was a righteous man” (Lk 23:47)
• “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt 27:54)

The Thief on the Cross said,

• “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk 23:42)

The Herodians said,

• “Teacher we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth: nor do you care about anyone for you do not regard the person of men” (Mt 22:16)

Accusations Against Christ

The Romans: He claimed to be King of the Jews (Jn19:19) –Which he was (Lk 23:3)

The Pharisees: “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Mt 12:24)), which he did by the Holy Spirit. “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” (Luke 11:20)

Passersby at the Cross: “Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,” (Mk 15:29)—which he did in his resurrection “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But he was speaking of the temple of his body.” (Jn 2:19-21)

The High Priest and the Sanhedrin: “You have heard the blasphemy! (that He claims to be the Christ, the Son of God). What do you think? And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death” (Mk 14:64). But He proved to be the Son of God by numerous miracles.

The Crowd: They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” (Lk 23:2) But He paid taxes “However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me. (Mt 17:27) and He was the Christ.

The Character of Christ

He taught and lived the highest ethic of the Sermon on the mount (Mt 5-7) which include:

• The Golden Rule (7:12)
• Do not judge others (7:1)
• Love your enemies (5:44)
• Do not retaliate (5:38-39)
• Don’t be a hypocrite (7:5)
• Don’t lust in your heart (5:27)
• Be merciful (5:7)
• Keep your word (5:37)
• Help the poor (6:3-4)
• Forgive others (6:12)
• Don’t make money your God (6:24)
• He loved people
• little children (Mk 10:13-14)
• Wept over death of a friend (Jn 11:35)
• Set the example of servanthood by washing the disciple’s feet (Jn 13:1ff)
• He lived a life of poverty (Mt 8:20)
• He healed the ear of one of the mob who came to crucify him (Lk 22:51)
• He loved and choose as an apostle a man he knew would betray him (Mt 10:4, Jn 17:12)
• He never spoke in his own defense, even against false accusations (Mt 27:12-14)
• He died for his enemies (Rom 5:8-10)
• He forgave his crucifiers (Lk 23:34)

His character was impeccable; his deeds were unimpeachable and his life was unsurpassable.

More Objections

• Objections to Jesus warning about Hell: Anyone who threatens people with eternal Hell lacks proper kindness. Jesus did this.
  • Response: If there is a Hell, anyone who does not warn people about it lacks proper kindness! Jesus said there is a Hell (Mt. 5:29-39, 25:41, Lk. 16). As God, he ought to know! Hence, he was eminently kind to warn people of it.
• Objections to alleged vindictiveness: anyone who pronounces woes on his enemies, as Jesus did, is vindictive (Mt. 23)
  • Response: Denouncing evil is not vindictive; otherwise, all law-enforcers would be vindictive. On the contrary, anyone who does not condemn evil and hypocrisy, as Jesus did, is morally flawed. Jesus was not vindictive: He taught us to love our enemies (Mt 5:44), He forgave his crucifiers (Lk 23:34)
• Objection from drowning pigs: Anyone who unnecessarily drowns pigs is unkind. Jesus did this (Mt 8:30-32)
  • Response: Jesus did not drown the pigs. He simply cast the demons out who did it. Jesus was more interested in saving people than pigs. As Creator he owns all thing and has the right to take their life (Deut. 32:39, Job 1:21)
• Objections from getting angry: Jesus was angry with the moneychangers in the temple (Mk 11:15-19)
  • Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful. God demonstrated righteous indignation (Ex 4:14, Num 12:9, Ps 2:5). Paul said Be angry but do not sin (Eph 4:26). Jesus was justly angry at those who had profaned the Temple of God (Jn 2)
• Objection from Cursing the Fig Tree: Jesus cursed the fig tree simply because it had no fruit (Mt 21:19).
  • Response: Anger is not necessarily sinful. But Jesus was not responding in anger. He used it as a dramatic visual aid. His point was to condemn the outward appearance of being godly with any real fruitfulness.