How can we ensure our understanding of Jesus aligns with biblical truth? The Mistake in Matthew 14:2 “ ‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ ” (Matthew 14:2) Herod hears about Jesus and instantly mislabels Him. Instead of recognizing the promised Messiah, he assumes Jesus is a resurrected John. His error is a warning: when our understanding of Christ is shaped by fear, rumor, or half-truths, we miss the real Jesus revealed in Scripture. Why Herod Got It Wrong • He relied on court gossip rather than God’s Word. • He viewed Jesus through the lens of guilt (cf. Matthew 14:1). • He ignored the prophetic Scriptures that identified Messiah’s lineage, birthplace, and works (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 35:5-6). • He let personal experience outrank divine revelation—seeing miracles, he drew a natural conclusion instead of a biblical one. Guardrails That Keep Our Vision Clear • Let Scripture define Jesus, not culture, feelings, or tradition (John 5:39). • Read all four Gospels regularly; they give the fullest portrait. • Compare Scripture with Scripture—allow clearer passages to illuminate the harder ones (Psalm 119:160). • Hold to the apostolic testimony: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). • Accept every title Scripture gives Him—Son of Man, Son of God, Lord, Savior, Judge—without trimming or prioritizing one over another. • Reject any interpretation that denies His full deity (John 1:1) or full humanity (1 John 4:2-3). Daily Practices That Anchor Us in Truth • Read the Word consistently—start with a chapter a day in the Gospels and Acts. • Memorize key Christ-centered verses (Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3). • Use a reliable, literal translation when studying. • Gather with a church that exposits Scripture verse by verse (Acts 2:42). • Test every sermon, podcast, or song against the Bible like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). • Invite the Holy Spirit to illumine the text (John 16:13). • Write observations, truths, and applications in a journal; seeing patterns reinforces accuracy. Key Passages That Reveal the Real Jesus • John 1:1-14—eternal Word made flesh. • Matthew 16:13-17—Peter’s confession, endorsed by the Father. • Colossians 1:15-17—Creator and Sustainer. • Hebrews 1:1-3—exact representation of God’s nature. • Philippians 2:5-11—humble Servant and exalted Lord. • Revelation 1:12-18—glorified Christ who holds the keys of death and Hades. Signs We Are Drifting • Reducing Jesus to merely a moral teacher or life coach. • Preferring extra-biblical revelations over the written Word. • Explaining away miracles or His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). • Viewing His commands as optional suggestions (Luke 6:46). • Neglecting the Old Testament prophecies that point to Him (Luke 24:27). A Scripture-Drawn Portrait of Jesus • Fully God—“For in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). • Fully man—“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). • Sinless sacrifice—“He appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin” (Hebrews 9:26). • Risen Lord—“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6). • Coming King—“Behold, He is coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Hold these truths tightly, let Scripture speak for itself, and you will recognize the real Jesus every time. |
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