Was Jesus a Peasant With an Attitude?

KJV Bible

In his commentary today, Wyatt Ciesielka of the Living Church of God wrote:

An exploited peasant with an attitude?…

How can we imitate Christ and live in obedience to Him, if we do not know who He was?

Scholars continue to debate “who was Jesus?” For example, John Crossan has received some press recently for asserting that Jesus was “an exploited peasant with an attitude” who did no miracles, did not die for humanity’s sins, and didn’t rise from the grave after three days and three nights in the tomb (CNN.com,February 27, 2011).

In a 1991 book, Crossan argued that Jesus was simply “a wandering preacher” who took the form of the pagan “Cynics” who were “a crazy wretched lot” who wore tattered cloaks and wore flowing hair (Jesus: A revolutionary Biography).

But these assertions simply contradict Scripture. The Gospel of John reveals that the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ tunic because it was finely made, without a seam, and would have consequently been not only of high quality, but also of great expense (John 19:23-24). Matthew 12:40 plainly states that Jesus would be three days and three nights in the tomb. Matthew 28:6 and numerous Scriptures recount that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead.

Interestingly, Jesus did not even wear long hair as is typically portrayed. 1 Corinthians 11:14 clearly states that for a man to wear long hair is shameful, but that for a women it is a glory (v. 15). And in John’s apocalyptic vision, he portrays instruments of war and cruelty in frightful demonic imagery as having “faces of men” (Revelation 9:7), while wearing hair long “like women’s hair” (v.8). Jesus wore short hair and looked like a typical, healthy Jew who was even able to “blend in” to escape angry crowds unnoticed (John 8:59).

Scripture explains that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1–3). The Being who became Christ was “from everlasting” (Micah 5:2) and is “the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 1:8), the “first and the last” (v. 11).

This mighty Being then “became flesh” and lived a perfect life on this earth (John 1:14). He died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) and was resurrected to sit at the right hand of God, as the Son of God (Luke 22:69-70), until the appointed time when He will return as King of kings to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth (Revelation 17:14). No, Jesus was not a long-haired, effeminate “nice” Jewish person. He was not a crazed, disheveled prophet or zealot. He was the Son of God who lived a perfect life in the flesh nearly 2,000 years ago. And, He is the Savior of mankind (Acts 13:23, Titus 3:4). Scripture proclaims that those who attack the deity of Christ are upholding the doctrine of the antichrist (1 John 4:3). Surely, this is a vital topic to understand!

For more on who Jesus really was, please read the Tomorrow’s World articles, “Who was Jesus?” and “Who Was the God of the Old Testament?”

There are a lot of misunderstandings about who Jesus is, how He lived, and how He wanted His followers to live. Furthermore, many simply do not understand the message that He came to bring.

People should read and study the Bible.

Some biblically-referenced articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.