WOULD A GOOD MAN DO THIS ?

In Jesus’ day, there was no consensus about who He really was—and over 2,000 years later, not much has changed. Opinions about Jesus range from calling Him a wise teacher, a prophet or a moral leader to recognizing Him as the Son of God.

This disagreement isn’t new. In fact, John 7:43 tells us, “So there was a division among the people because of Him.” That division continues today.

Many acknowledge Jesus’ historical existence and moral influence, yet stop short of embracing His divinity. 

Jesus is not a neutral figure. He is, by His own words and actions, a dividing line in human history—literally and spiritually. His arrival split time into B.C. and A.D. His presence continues to divide families, religions, cultures, and individuals.

So the real question isn’t whether Jesus was a good man. The real question is: Would a good man say and do the things Jesus did ?

A Divider, Not Just a Peacemaker

Jesus Himself warned that His coming would bring conflict. In Matthew 10:34–35, He says: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword (of division). For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother…”

That sounds strange to our modern ears, but Jesus was pointing to the inevitable division that would come when people had to choose whether to follow Him. There is no middle ground with Jesus. He forces a decision—Messiah or imposter? Savior or fraud?

What Did Jesus Actually Claim?

If Jesus was just a good man or a prophet, we would expect Him to deny any divine status. But He didn’t. In fact, He repeatedly affirmed His identity as God in the flesh.

In Matthew 16:15–16, Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is. Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus doesn’t correct him. Instead, He affirms it: “Blessed are you, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”  (v. 17).

A mere good man wouldn’t let someone call him the Son of God. But Jesus embraced it.

The Great “I AM”

In John 8:58, Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” This wasn’t just poetic language. He was using the sacred name God used when speaking to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus was directly claiming to be eternal God.  Again, this is not the language of a humble teacher or prophet. This is either blasphemy—or the truth.

The Bread of Life

In John 6, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding 5,000 with loaves and fish. The crowd, amazed and hungry for more, seeks Him out. But Jesus doesn’t give them more food. Instead, He says : “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger…” (John 6:35)

Direct Declarations of Divinity

In His conversation with the woman at the well (John 4), Jesus doesn’t hide His identity. When she mentions the coming Messiah, Jesus says: “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:26)

In John 9, after healing a man born blind—a miracle no one could deny—Jesus finds the man again and asks, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” When the man asks who that is, Jesus replies, “It is He who is talking with you.” (John 9:35–37)

What Do We Do With All This ?

“You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse… But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.” C.S. Lewis

Jesus was not vague or ambiguous about who He claimed to be. He claimed to be God. He promised eternal life.

If that’s not true, He’s not a “good man”— He’s the worst kind of deceiver. But if it is true, then He is the only one worthy of our worship, obedience, and full surrender.

Jesus is not just a historical figure or a wise teacher. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. There is no neutral ground.

Your decision about who Jesus is—not just in your head, but in your heart—is the most important one you will ever make!

Who Do You Say He Is?