Jesus Christ Is No Hypocrite

LET’S TALK ABOUT JESUS

 The Bible asserts that all human beings are sinners, that all hypocrites are sinners, and that not all sinners are hypocrites. How about you? Are you a sinner? Are you a hypocrite? And what about Jesus? Was He a sinner? Was He a hypocrite?

The Bible contains four books that sketch the life of Jesus on earth (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). They show Jesus experiencing temptation to sin. He commanded others to quit their sin. But there is not a hint that Jesus ever sinned.

Openly, publicly, and boldly Jesus said, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” (John 8:46 ESV). His opponents understood exactly what Jesus was claiming and responded in the strongest language they could muster. They shouted, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (John 8:48). “Samaritan” was the most ungodly group of people they could think of, and “demon possessed” was as unholy as anyone could possibly be. Hypocritical religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus and jealous of His growing fame and plotted to put him to death. They brought a list of made-up charges that contradicted one another and were found to be without merit (Mark 14:55-56).

Jesus claimed He not only was not a hypocrite, but He was not even a sinner!

No one says these kinds of things, especially public figures under constant scrutiny. If Jesus’ claim to be without sin is untrue, then Jesus is the biggest hypocrite in the history of the world. Christianity is built on His claims, including this one. Jesus’ disciples and others repeated the claim throughout their lifetimes. This includes His close friends Peter (Acts 3:14; 1 Peter 1;19, 2:22, 3:18) and John (1 John 3:5); His former enemy Paul (2 Corinthians 5:21); Judas His betrayer (Matthew 27:3-4); Pilate, the Roman political leader who oversaw His murder (Luke 23:22); the thief crucified on a cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:41); and His devout Jewish family members. Jesus’ half-brothers James (James 5:6) and Jude (Jude 1) both became Christian pastors who worshiped their brother as sinless God. They wrote books of the Bible bearing their name. His devout Jewish mother, Mary, was a member of the early Christian Church and worshiped her son as the perfect Son of God (Acts 1:14). If anyone knew Jesus was a sinner and a hypocrite, it would have been His friends and family. But without exception they all agree with His claim to be without hypocrisy—or even sin. They all suffered for that claim, refusing to recant even when tortured to the point of death

This unequaled and unparalleled claim by Jesus means He cannot be considered just a good man. He is either the God-man or the worst man who has ever lived. If His claim is untrue he is the biggest hypocrite in the history of the world. But if His claim is true then he alone is God and Christ. He is the one anointed to enter history as God become man to live the sinless life we have not lived and die the death we all deserve to give the gift we cannot earn.

Ultimately, Christianity rises or falls with Christ and not Christians. And in the end, He is the one we must point to when people raise objections to His followers’ imperfections. We fall short, but He alone stands above to help sinners and hypocrites.