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When we say that there is to be a \u201cdemystification of Jesus Christ\u201d we mean that we are to separate the facts from the fiction of Christ\u2019s life on earth.<\/p>\n
Jesus Christ is arguably the greatest healer the world has ever known. Descriptions abound in the gospels of the Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), about the healing prowess of Christ. Because of His healing powers, (which can only be described as being miraculous) hundreds of persons habitually surrounded Him whenever he went about preaching.<\/p>\n
But, through His imposing healings, and because of the gracious words that emanated from His mouth, there gathered around Christ a litany of the simple folk.
\nChrist\u2019s habit of associating Himself with the common people did not go down well with the haughty Scribes and Pharisees. These took Him to task for this his particular habit. This is illustrated in the following Biblical verse:<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it came to pass as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold , many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, \u201cThey that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick … I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Matt 9: 10-13, excerpted)<\/p>\n
Christ\u2019s utilised everyday people and situations to illustrate his Teachings:<\/p>\n
Christ spoke:<\/p>\n
\u201cA certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.\u201cAnd likewise a Levite,when he was at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, \u201cpouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendeth more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell amongst the thieves?<\/p>\n
( Luke 10 : 30 \u2013 35).<\/p>\n
Let us reveal further examples to show how Christ identified with the common persons, and how He utilised common- sense to outwit his numerous enemies. For example Christ showed His ingenuity when he was confronted by some mischievous Pharisees who wished to \u201centangle Him in His own talk!\u201d The Bible states:<\/p>\n
\u201cThen went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, \u201cWhat thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar\u2019s. Then saith \u201che unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar\u2019s, and unto God the things that are God\u2019s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.<\/p>\n
(Matt 21: 16–22).<\/p>\n
The whole aim of the Scribes and Pharisees, (as well as the other deeply secular groups) was to plot against the most royal, and the most regal Personality of Christ, whose demeanour rendered them spellbound! And they sought for any opportunity to unsettle him with their insidious mischief! We read in the Holy Bible the following account:
\n\u201cAnd the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his fingers wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.<\/p>\n
( John 8: 3-11).<\/p>\n