The Mistakes of Jesus | Page 8

heard of. His ethical teachings
alone would not have won for him the exalted position that has come
from the stories of his miraculous birth, life and ascension. In other
words, his fame rests upon the supernatural side of his life that is now
discredited by many of his followers.
Eternal Life
The remarks of Jesus on the subject of death were not accurate. "If a
man keep my saying, he shall never see death."[13] "Whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die."[14]
Apparently Jesus referred to natural death, in which case he was utterly
mistaken; but if he meant that believers in him should live forever in
heaven, even so he gave a false impression; for there is no evidence
that life after death is assured to Christians more than to others.
Unbelievers were also to have eternal life, though in torment.

Raising Lazarus
Jesus took advantage of opportunities, even of death, to create dramatic
effects. The eleventh chapter of John shows that when Lazarus was
reported ill, Jesus said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the
glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." So Jesus
let Lazarus, one of the believers whom he loved, die[15] in order that
he might have the triumph of raising him from the dead. "Then said
Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes
that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe."
The confusion between earthly death and loss of eternal life was shown
in the remark of Jesus to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life: he
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." This might
be construed to mean that believers should have eternal life hereafter,
but Jesus evidently had reference to life on earth for he proceeded to
raise Lazarus from the dead and cause him to live again on earth with
his sisters.
When Martha reminded Jesus that Lazarus had been dead four days,
Jesus replied, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God?" But Jesus himself had doubts of his
ability to bring back Lazarus to life, as shown by his spontaneous
prayer of thanks: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." Then
he revealed again his desire to dramatize the occasion, saying, "And I
knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which
stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things
which Jesus did, believed on him." Do the followers of Jesus, who
claim that he made no mistakes, believe on him? If so, they must
believe that he raised Lazarus from the dead as he claimed to have done.
Do they believe that they can also raise people from the dead? Jesus so
assured them when he promised that believers could do greater works
than he performed. No, Jesus gave a false impression of his power.
God's Protection

Jesus continued his deception of the world by promising protection that
has never been accorded. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But
the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye
are of more value than many sparrows."[16]
These sayings may properly be taken as symbolical or allegorical; but
the evident intention was to assure his followers that God would protect
them in their daily life. Safety was promised for believers, a safety that
has been lacking for everyone. There is no evidence that God does
protect believers any more than unbelievers. When the Titanic went
down, those who perished were not solely the wicked persons; there
was no distinction in the terrible disaster between believers and
unbelievers.
Jesus created in the minds of his hearers and his followers the idea that
God was watching each individual to save him from danger, but this,
unfortunately, is not a fact. It sounds comforting; it makes people feel
nearer to God; but experience proves that no such close relationship
exists. Jesus gave a false impression of God's loving care for men.
Belief in Prayer
Modern religious people may still consistently believe in prayer as a
form of inward aspiration, but it is difficult to take literally the
assurance given by Jesus of practical accomplishments by means of
prayer in his name.
Jesus did not confine himself to promising spiritual results from prayer,
but distinctly gave it to be understood that the physical world would
respond to petitions to Jehovah. "Again I say unto you, That if two of
you shall agree on earth as touching