Virtual Jesus: Who is the real Jesus?
Is Jesus a relic of the past, a killjoy, a self-help guru or even toxic? Why do millions of people around the world follow this man?
Join us as we journey into the heart of John's Gospel and unravel the profound 'I Am' sayings of Jesus. This series isn't just another lecture; it's an invitation to encounter the core of Christ's identity and an opportunity to connect with the Son of God personally.
In these ten weeks, we'll unveil the intriguing nuances of Jesus' self-revelation, shedding light on his roles as the Shepherd, the Resurrection, the Way, and so much more. Whether you're sceptical, seeking answers, or intrigued, come and experience Jesus in his own words – a God who bridges the gap between divinity and humanity, offering solace, purpose, and a transformative encounter that speaks to the depths of your heart.
These life-changing truths transcend time and speak to the essence of your existence.
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17/9/2023 // RELIC JESUS
While some might be sceptical, most people today accept that Jesus was a real person in history. But they leave him there, consigned to history, a relic, of interest only to the historian. He might have been a good teacher, but little more.
But this harmless, good teacher of history is a ‘Virtual Jesus’. He doesn’t exist. Jesus, faced with the religious leaders of his day, boldly claimed to be divine, with the words, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’.
24/9/2023 // CANCELLED JESUS
Jesus said many things that people today find hard to swallow. Some of what the Bible says is simply, ‘yuck’ to many modern hearers. It may be surprising to realise that the hearers in Jesus’ day also found his message distasteful and unpleasant!
Crowds that had gathered soon turned away when Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life’. Jesus may have been cancelled at the time, but his offer to satisfy us, spiritually and eternally is still held out to all today.
1/10/2023 // TOXIC JESUS
We live in an age that is highly sensitive to ‘toxic leadership/authority’ figures, and understandably so. Toxic authority and the abuse of power is horrific. If Jesus demands people submit to his leadership, then he must be toxic too.
Yet, Jesus boldly and graciously claimed, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’. Could this really be good news? Is this an authority that avoids the toxicity we have become so familiar with?
8/10/2023 //MORAL JESUS
Another ‘Virtual Jesus’ is the wise, moral teacher, teaching in parables and explaining how to be nice. But Jesus didn’t say he’d come to shed light on the moral issues of the day, he instead claimed, ‘I am the Light of the World’. The light of life itself, not just a torch to help us stumble through the darkness.
15/10/2023 // KILLJOY JESUS
For some, ‘giving your life to Jesus’ would be ‘game over’ for the type of life they really want to live. Christianity is a killjoy. Death to personal freedom, death to relationships, habits and behaviours that we enjoy.
But Jesus didn’t come to offer death. He said, ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’. He offers abundance, not limitation. How can he be offering more, when Christianity seems to offer less?
22/10/2023 // SCAM JESUS
Religion. Famously the ‘opium of the masses’. A trick. An illusion. A way to control people. Although some may see the claims of Christianity as a trap, Jesus in his own words claims, ‘I am the Door’.
In a world of a myriad of options, could this be a door worth opening? What is behind it? Is this another confidence trick or a promise that can be trusted?
29/10/2023 // GURU JESUS
Jesus. One of many spiritual sages over the span of human history, offering a path to enlightenment, right? Another voice from many that we can listen to as we see fit. None should be elevated above others - they’re all equally valid.
So goes many people’s attitudes to the words of Jesus. But Jesus said, ‘I am the Way’. He didn’t see himself as offering an alternative, but the definitive and exclusive way to eternity. How can such an emphatic claim be taken seriously in the pluralistic world of today?
5/11/2023 // IRRELEVANT JESUS
What is most important to me is my truth. What I feel is my reality. My experiences are my existence. Whatever Jesus said thousands of years ago, might be interesting, but it's hardly relevant to my life right now.
Into the context of the deeply personally defined ideas of truth of today, Jesus makes a startling claim, “I am the Truth’. Not even, I am true, but I am truth itself. Truth about life. Truth about existence. Truth about me and truth about you, is found in him.
12/11/2023 // SNOWFLAKE JESUS
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild - he’d hardly stand a chance in the robust, social-media obsessed, rage-fuelled climate of today. We want our leaders to be tough and strong and have grit. Not sandal-wearing weaklings who offer nice platitudes.
Yet Jesus says of himself, ‘I am the True Vine’. He claims to bring genuine fruitfulness to our lives. He doesn’t wither away, he brings life and strength and potency to even the weakest of people. How can it be?
26/11/2023 // VIRTUAL JESUS
As we draw the series to a close we look at Jesus’ arrest, where he simply says, ‘I am He’ and armed guards are literally knocked off their feet.
Jesus is still having this effect today. Still surprising us, still astounding us, still humbling us and then building us back up again. He is God. He is real. He is with us. The real Jesus is here.
Virtual Jesus // 1 Relic Jesus - Matt Carvel // John 8:48-59
While some might be sceptical, most people today accept that Jesus was a real person in history. But they leave him there, consigned to history, a relic, of interest only to the historian. He might have been a good teacher, but little more.
But this harmless, good teacher of history is a ‘Virtual Jesus’. He doesn’t exist. Jesus, faced with the religious leaders of his day, boldly claimed to be divine, with the words, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’.
Here are some application questions:
1. Reflecting on the discussion in the video, what are your own perceptions and beliefs about Jesus? How do you think his teachings and claims continue to impact society today?
2. How do you think cancel culture and the potential consequences of words and actions impact discussions and perceptions of religious figures like Jesus today?
3. How can we reconcile the historical figure of Jesus with the spiritual and religious significance attributed to him?
