Quite a few young Christians believe that Jesus sinned, or disobeyed the Father. Did Jesus sin? The testimony of his friend and disciple John says no: “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
The testimony of his betrayer Judas, who had remorse for turning a faultless one over to his enemies, says no: “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:3-4a).
The testimony of his enemies, who tried to find something of which to accuse him and failed, says no: “And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together” (Mark 14:55-56).
The testimony of Pilate the judge says no: “Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38).
How important is it that we believe that Jesus never sinned? Very. Jesus came to take on himself the sins of the whole world, suffer, and die for them. If he had sinned, then he could not bear the sins of others – he would have to die for his own sins. God did not find anyone worthy of bearing the sins of the world from mankind. So his Son, by prearranged plan, stepped out.
The one who knew no sin became sin for us. The one who was innocent bore our guilt. The Light of the World entered the darkness of @#!*% . The Eternal Life tasted death for us all that he might rescue those who believe.
What Do You Think?
a. Do you find it difficult to believe that anyone could live without sinning?
b. Jesus came to save us from sin’s power. What has he made available to you to make it possible for you to resist sin?
