On the Incarnation

Many people consider Jesus a "great teacher" and spiritual leader on the par with the Buddha, Mohammed, and the famous Indian gurus.  But they will not admit that He is the Incarnate Son of God -- God made flesh and dwelling among us. 

However, I wonder if these people have ever considered that not one of the world's religious teachers have ever said the things Jesus said:

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Other teachers have pointed the way to the truth and the life, but they did not proclaim themselves as "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." 

Anyone who comes to me, even though he die, will live.  Whoever lives and believes in me will never die....I am the resurrection and the life.  No wonder the Jews wanted to stone him for blasphemy.  Who would dare to make these claims unless they were true?

Unless you eat my Body and drink my Blood, you will have no life in you.  To put these words in the mouth of any other spiritual leader would be horrible.  Only Jesus has the power to make these statements and to make them actually effective, or "do-able."

The Father and I are One.  Humility would prevent any other person, no matter how spiritual, from saying this -- only Jesus could proclaim that He and the Father are One.  The doctrine of the Trinity makes the Incarnation possible.

If anyone will keep my word, the Father and I will come to him and dwell with him.  What an amazing promise!  I cannot imagine any guru or teacher in the world saying such a thing.

The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.  Wow!  "Lord of the Sabbath"! 

I am with you always, even to the consummation of the world.  No one born of 'the will of a father' can make such a statement.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  How many teachers of the world would have wished to baptize with the Holy Spirit, and change the world forever.  And yet, unless they baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, they cannot baptize with the Holy Spirit.

To all who come to Him, He gives the power to become children of God.  Again, with any other teacher, who would not wish to give others the right, the power, the ability to  become children of God.  Jesus is the only gateway into eternal life; He alone has the power to forgive sins and to transform lives into the image and spirit of His Father.  And so He does:  The Father works even until now, and I work also. 

Thank God He sent His very Son to redeem us from the bondage of sin and separation!  For other teachers can appeal to our emotions and to our minds, but only the Son of God Himself can change our inner man.