26-0429wc Neighborly Apologetics

What we are examining in this session on the claims of Jesus and the resurrection is primarily the life of Christ, focusing on his words, with attention also to his miracles and works. This is placed in the broader context of neighborly apologetics, which emphasizes that God has entrusted the primary work of the kingdom to the common Christian family. This stems from the scriptural royal law to love our neighbor, placing it in the setting of families living next to families.

The approach is not primarily academic but practical: how everyday Christians can engage non-believers in their immediate circles, or "Jerusalem," by building deep relationships. As people observe the hope in believers' lives and the way they live, and as believers pray diligently for them, God may open eyes or soften hearts, leading to opportunities to discuss these matters.

One essential topic to discuss with non-believers is the identity of Jesus. This ties into the three great questions: Does God exist? Is the Bible reliable? And who is Jesus? The current focus is on this third question. When God provides the opportunity through relationships and prayer, believers are to witness and bear testimony to Jesus as the Son of God.

Previous sessions reviewed the prophecies and promises pointing to the coming Messiah, beginning with the proto-evangelium in the garden where God promised the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. These prophecies and promises, repeated over time, prepared for the Messiah’s arrival.

The session references the kairos moment described in Galatians, when the fullness of time came and God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. All the prophecies and promises over thousands of years were like an alarm clock set to go off or deposits in a bank now ready to be withdrawn. The seed line of the Messiah had been nurtured and protected, and the time was ripe for the Messiah’s appearance.

This is highlighted by the passage in Malachi about sending Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord, after which everything went silent for 400 years. There were no prophets speaking from heaven during this intertestamental period. Then suddenly, there was a flurry of activity: angelic visions, miracles, and the birth of Jesus. The angel announced to Mary that the child should be named Jesus because he would save his people from their sins.

An old man praised God, saying he could now die in peace having seen the Lord’s Savior. After this burst of activity following 400 years of silence, there was another period of about 30 years of relative silence regarding Jesus' life. We know little about his growing up years except that, according to Luke, he grew and became strong, was filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him. He increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. The only specific event recorded is the visit to Jerusalem with his family. For these 30 years, Jesus worked as a common blue-collar laborer.

The focus now shifts to the last three years of Jesus' life, his public ministry. From the moment it began, it was as if a clock started counting down, leading him from obscurity to transforming the entire world. This period took him from being a carpenter toiling in labor to one whose words softened hearts while hardening others. His life divided families, influenced nations rising and falling, and would ultimately seal the destiny of every soul that would ever live.

Jesus spoke the most profound truths ever uttered and provided the most majestic example of humility and love in history. He began teaching and performing miracles. His words were bold and turned the world upside down. He did things no one had done before, amazing many while provoking violent anger in others. He worked mostly alone with only a small band of followers, traveling from village to village.

A powerful biographical sketch from the Gospels describes Jesus going about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread throughout all Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, pains, demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. Great multitudes followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Right from the start of his ministry, Jesus performed works no one had ever done before, healing every kind of disease and sickness. There were no self-serving aspects, no theatrical acts like those in mythology; he simply healed people. To fully appreciate this, one must move beyond familiarity with the stories and imagine the historical reality. In that time without modern medicine, injuries like broken bones from falls often left people lame with crooked limbs. Jesus healed them, making arms and legs straight again.

He healed the blind, who had no access to modern treatments. Imagine families bringing blind loved ones to him, only for them to receive sight through his touch. He healed a woman who had bled for 12 years, a man with a withered hand, lepers who were shunned and had to cry "unclean," paralyzed individuals possibly including quadriplegics, invalids, those with fevers, and even raised the dead. He cast out demons without incantations, magic, potions, or theatrics—simply by speaking.

A notable example is the man possessed by many demons who lived in caves, naked, breaking chains, crying out, and cutting himself with stones—a terror to his community. Jesus spoke, and the man was healed, calm, clothed, and in his right mind. Another is Lazarus, dead and in the tomb for four days; Jesus called him out with no theatrics, and he emerged alive, to the astonishment of those who had buried him.

These miracles, along with events like calming a fierce storm that terrified seasoned sailors, caused the news to spread rapidly. The scriptures note that the world could not contain the books if all Jesus did were recorded, but these highlights help in neighborly apologetics when sharing the reality of who Jesus was and what he did with others.

The disciples and Jesus were caught in a fierce storm at sea. Even seasoned sailors feared for their lives as the waves grew higher and the boat seemed to shrink amid the power of the wind and waves. They believed they were going to die. Jesus simply said, “Peace, be still,” and the raging storm immediately ceased, leaving the water as smooth as glass. The men in the boat asked in amazement, “Who is this man?” This question highlights the profound issue at hand: who is this man who can heal the blind, raise the dead, and command a storm to become calm instantly?

There is a recognized problem with miracles in general, which will be addressed later in the apologetics series. However, the specific problem with Jesus’ miracles is illustrated by Lazarus. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus as well because he was a walking testimony to Jesus’ power. Lazarus had been dead and decaying for four days, yet he came forth when Jesus called him. The Jewish leaders sought to eliminate him because people were turning to Jesus, and their own authority was diminishing. They appeared as mere men while Jesus demonstrated power they could not match. This reflects a common human resistance to the evident reality of God and those who reveal it, forcing people to confront Jesus’ identity, his words, and his works, which in turn requires self-examination. Many cultures and individuals, including our own, prefer to avoid this introspection.

The words of Jesus stand out as exceptionally bold, far beyond what anyone would dare speak unless they were insane, divine, or deceitful. In the Sermon on the Mount, delivered to his disciples and a gathered crowd, Jesus made astonishing claims near the end. He declared that whoever hears his words and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. When storms come, that house stands firm. But whoever hears his words and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built on sand; when the storm hits, everything is lost. These statements carry profound consequences and demand attention. Familiarity with the text can cause us to overlook just how audacious and powerful these words truly are.

After Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount, great crowds followed him because they were astonished at his teaching. He taught as one who had authority, not like the scribes who merely repeated the words of others or of God. Jesus spoke with direct authority because he himself was the authority. Yet his words were not always soft or comforting. When some people began to turn away because the teachings became uncomfortable, Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they also wanted to leave. Peter responded with the memorable words, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

When Jesus taught in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, the people were astounded at his wisdom and mighty works. However, they soon took offense, dismissing him as “the carpenter” and “Mary’s son,” possibly implying questions about his legitimacy since Joseph may have already died. They rejected him because of what he was saying. Similarly, when Jesus taught in Jerusalem, the people were astonished, but the chief priests and scribes sought ways to destroy him.

The religious leaders’ resistance stemmed partly from their hunger for significance and their loss of authority as people flocked to Jesus. Whether in the mountains, Capernaum, or Jerusalem, people everywhere were amazed by both his deeds and his words. The Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap him with clever questions, hoping to catch him in something that would justify charges of blasphemy and execution. In one notable exchange from Matthew 22, Jesus answered in a way that left them astonished, and they walked away silenced.

The Sadducees then tried their turn at trapping Jesus with difficult questions, but his responses left them speechless, and they too withdrew. The Pharisees made one final attempt by sending their top teacher of the law to ask what the greatest commandment was. Once again, Jesus’ answer astonished them all. Even his enemies were left in awe of his words.

Matthew 22 concludes with a striking summary: no one was able to answer him a word, and from that day on, no one dared to ask him any more questions. The teachers of the law, the high priests, and all the religious experts were effectively silenced by the power and wisdom of Jesus’ responses. Their mouths were shut because of him.

To further illustrate these points, a video interview segment with Greg Koukl is referenced. When soldiers were sent to arrest Jesus, they returned empty-handed. When asked why, they replied that no man has ever spoken like this man. There was something unique about the personality, character, and presence of Jesus of Nazareth that left people either spellbound or enraged enough to want to kill him—and ultimately they did.

Jesus was not like the scribes and Pharisees, who merely passed on others’ opinions. He spoke as one who personally knew the truth, with inherent authority. Koukl encourages not simply accepting the Gospels as inspired but inviting people to encounter Jesus directly by reading what he said. Jesus stands out as a compelling person through the substance of his teaching, the manner of his character, and the quality of his life. He commends himself immediately to any honest listener or seeker. Everyone must deal with Jesus; he is a person to be contended with.

The soldiers were astonished, as were the people in Capernaum and Jerusalem. People remain astonished by his words today. His teachings were powerful then and remain powerful now. They were uncomfortable in his day and still challenge us. When sharing with neighbors, the relationship of trust built through prayer and relationship can help others receive these uncomfortable truths.

There are inherent problems with Jesus’ words because they are so astounding and demanding. Jesus instructed people to forgive others even when they keep hurting them repeatedly. He commanded love for enemies, turning the other cheek, and avoiding lukewarm faith. He called followers to be light and salt in the world, to perform good works, visit those in prison, care for the needy, bear good fruit, love their neighbors, repent, live holy lives, and take up their cross to follow him.

These teachings were uncomfortable for his original audience and remain uncomfortable for us today. They challenge self-centered living and demand radical transformation.

Jesus taught that no matter how good people think they are, they still fall short of God’s standard. He declared that anger makes one a murderer and lust makes one an adulterer. He said we must be perfect, though we know we are not. While Peter recognized that Jesus had the words of eternal life, for others these were words of death.

Jesus made extraordinarily bold statements: without believing in him, people would remain separated from God and devoid of eternal life. He told Nicodemus that whoever does not believe in him remains condemned. To Martha he said that whoever believes in him would never die. He told the Pharisees they were children of the devil and would die in their sins without him.

When the Jewish leaders demanded to know if he was the Messiah, Jesus pointed to his works as witness. The tension escalated when he declared that he and the Father are one, prompting them to pick up stones to stone him for blasphemy. Jesus responded by noting he had shown many good works from the Father, yet they sought to stone him not for the works but for his words claiming to be God. In the end, it was Jesus’ words that brought condemnation upon him.

This remains true today. People are comfortable with a version of Jesus that includes only soft and likable words. Once the uncomfortable, bold words are presented, rejection follows just as it did 2,000 years ago. This discomfort has fueled efforts like the Jesus Seminar, where scholars voted on which words Jesus actually said, or books like The Da Vinci Code, which attempt to reshape or dismiss the biblical Jesus.

Greg Koukl explains that many books, such as Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, gain popularity because the historical evidence for Jesus is so strong and powerful. This one life has transformed countless others over two millennia, making Jesus impossible to ignore. Yet people want to dismiss the Jesus of history, the biblical text, and the church because that Jesus makes serious moral and ethical demands as God incarnate who rose from the dead.

There is a deep resistance to bending the knee and surrendering autonomy. People prefer to remain the master of their own fate. When Jesus claims to be the rightful master and captain of their lives, they search for any reason to dismiss him. Koukl notes he is stunned by how little it takes for people to set Jesus aside, despite the powerful evidence.

Rejection often stems from emotional, prejudicial, or willful reasons rather than rational ones. The appeal of alternative narratives lies in giving people an excuse to ignore Christ. From the beginning of his ministry through 2,000 years of history and into today, people have sought ways—sometimes mentally or psychologically—to rid themselves of Jesus.

The character of Jesus is unassailable. He was sinless, kind, humble, courageous, good, caring, compassionate, bold, truthful, wise, discerning, loving, gracious, and strong. The historical records present a faultless character, though some have tried to invent flaws.

A key moment is Jesus’ dialogue before Pilate. After remaining mostly silent, Jesus declared, “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” This is an audacious claim for any finite person to make about the purpose of their existence.

People do not reject Jesus because of his miracles—healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, or raising Lazarus. They reject him because of his words. This rejection is rarely fully rational; it is a spiritual battle. In neighborly apologetics, believers must recognize this. We cannot argue someone into the kingdom through evidence alone.

We live at ground zero in our own Jerusalem and are entrusted as priests to intercede for those around us. Our responsibility is to be faithful witnesses, giving a reason for the hope within us with wisdom toward outsiders, while waging the battle spiritually through prayer and dependence on God.

The birth of Jesus was spectacular, marked by heavenly activity. His life was powerful: thirty years of relative quiet followed by three years filled with miracles and words that astonished everyone. Jesus acted and spoke with divine authority. He cleansed the temple, overturned tables, and confronted religious leaders, calling the Pharisees whitewashed tombs, vipers, hypocrites, and full of dead men’s bones.

Many speak favorably of Jesus only when his words are reduced to the soft and tender. The tough, bold words cause people to walk away. Yet Jesus was unafraid of truth, courageous, gracious, kind, and humble. He invited the weary and heavy-laden to come to him, promising rest for their souls because he is gentle and humble in heart.

This is what we pray our neighbors will experience—finding rest in Christ. As John records, if everything Jesus did were written down, the world itself could not contain the books. In less than an hour, the session summarized his life and words, acknowledging their vastness, to help us see there is no one like Jesus. Our testimony to neighbors centers on telling them about his life, character, works, and words.

A video clip reinforces the key points: Jesus claimed unity with God, stated that human goodness is insufficient, warned that unbelief leaves people spiritually dead, and promised eternal life to those who believe. There never was nor will there ever be a man like Jesus. This is the story we must tell those God places in our lives.

Loving our neighbor, as commanded, includes a steadfast, sacrificial zeal for their true good, which is found in Christ. We must pray diligently: intercede for them, ask God to soften hearts and minds, grant repentance, give us opportunities and wisdom to speak, and provide grace when the moment comes. We need to know Jesus—his life, his words—so we can point others to him when they ask. The historical record is clear: this man spoke words that astonished people two thousand years ago and still astonish us today.

Marc Fey thanks Dr. Tackett for the presentation. Information is provided on accessing previous webinar recordings at deltackett.com/webinars-two, with plans to send the current recording link and slides. The series will next address the death and resurrection of Christ.

Dr. Tackett closes in prayer, thanking God for the participants and asking the Lord to answer their questions through His Word and resources. He prays that the body of Christ would be the light and salt needed in a desperate culture, all for God’s glory.

Announcements note a break for July 4th, with sessions resuming in early August. The session ends with farewell and blessings.