Did Jesus sin when He walked this earth?
It’s a serious question. Some believers say He did.
I have heard several well-meaning Christians either say or imply that Jesus did in fact sin in the last few years. Their thinking is actually understandable when you look at it. “When Jesus walked the earth He was constantly getting into trouble with the religious leaders of the day. Obviously He was doing things they didn’t like and it’s ‘obvious’ when you read the Gospels what’s happening. Jesus is breaking another command and they are mad. But it really doesn’t matter because Jesus does away with all those commands anyways, so He can break which ever one He wants. He’s God, He can do what He wants.”
Can He?
I love CS Lewis’ idea that ‘nonsense is still nonsense even when it’s about God.’
And the idea that Jesus sinned or could break the commands is pure nonsense, my friends.
Let’s break this thought process down a bit shall we.
First, there are some things we can all agree on. As part of God’s covenant with Israel He gave them commands. He’s their God, their Lord, and He gets to tell them how to live. Which He does. God gives Israel specific instructions on certain things – do this, don’t do that.
And according to the Bible (Ps 19 for instance) the commands are actually a blessing. They are called perfect, they make you wise, they bring joy to the heart and light to the eyes. In fact 1 John says the commands are not burdensome and they show your love for God. Which makes sense. Obeying God is one way to show you love Him.
So God gave the commands and they are considered a blessing to obey and they show your love for God.
Ok, now let’s turn to Jesus.
Again, we can all agree that Jesus is/was God.
So can God sin? Can Jesus (who is God) disobey His own commands? Or His Father’s commands if you prefer.
What does Jesus Himself say about breaking God’s commands?
– In Matthew 5 Jesus says “anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
– In Matthew 18 Jesus says woe to the man through whom sin comes. It would be better to enter life maimed or crippled than to have a part of your body lead you into sin.
What is Jesus’ primary message in His ministry – look at Matthew 4 ‘repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ Repentance means turning around, living life God’s way, not sinning but following God’s path.
If Jesus sinned while He was calling people to stop sinning and to keep the commands wouldn’t that be a bit hypocritical?
And could Jesus be the perfect sacrifice if He Himself sinned?
John 1 says Jesus was the Word made flesh. So can the living breathing Word contradict the written Word of God? Does God contradict God?
If Jesus was able to go against His Father’s commands, if Jesus was able to go against the Torah and disobey, if Jesus was able to sin… what does that imply about Jesus? What does that imply about God?
So what was going on in the gospels then? 🙂 I’m glad you asked. Come back and find out.
Meanwhile – thoughts? Questions? Disagree?