No controversial figure in human history has surpassed Jesus in prominence. He rejected the misguided teachings of the religious leaders of His time. Anyone claiming to be ordained by Church Elders to fulfill the role of Christ should demonstrate how Jesus Himself was appointed as the Christ. In a strict sectarian sense—such as leading a recognized group like the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, or Zealots—there is little strong evidence that Jesus acted as a factional leader. He was a Jewish prophet and teacher within Second Temple Judaism who openly criticized various groups, gathered disciples, and proclaimed the kingdom of God.
During His lifetime, He did not clearly establish a political party or sectarian faction. Jesus emphasized His commitment to advancing the truth rather than simply attracting followers. Although the written Books of the Law and the Prophets remained intact, traditional customs had degenerated into profound corruption. Ordinary people tried to follow the teachings of the elders, particularly the Pharisees, whose teaching was widely treated as authoritative.
Judaism was a well-organized religion with few serious challengers, and this structure ultimately contributed to a crisis that culminated in Jesus’ crucifixion, because the religious leaders perceived Him as a genuine threat to their beliefs. At the heart of the conflict was the lack of freedom among the people who followed them. The Jewish authorities viewed Jesus as a potential factional leader and were particularly concerned about His potential ability to attract followers. His mission focused on emphasizing the truth, contrasting it with the traditions of men that had permeated Jewish religion.
Sociologically speaking, He functioned as a leader who drew a distinctive following characterized by loyalty, defined boundaries, and a clear mission, albeit attracting only a few people. He had an inner circle, a broader group of disciples, and supporters; after His death, His movement evolved into a distinct sect within Judaism. Although His peers were jealous, they could not match Him in matters of truth, nor could they credibly accuse Him of promoting division, since He actively discouraged blind followership.
They had many accusations against Him but could not claim that He was biased in His teachings. Instead, He addressed issues that the religious leaders should have understood. The most serious charge against Him was His assertion that He was the Son of God, even though He appeared to be just like any other human of His time. When asked, “Are you the Son of God?” He responded, “You say that I am.” They then proclaimed, “Why do we need more testimony? We’ve heard it from His own lips” (Luke 22:70–71).
Indeed, Jesus was the Son of God, and He could not give an answer that would please them, in order to save His life. In the Roman political context, He was executed as a perceived threat, crucified under the charge of being “King of the Jews.” However, this does not imply that He was leading a revolutionary faction like a Zealot leader. Governor Pilate, tasked with maintaining Caesar’s interests, could not find a chargeable offense against Him.
However, freeing Jesus could have jeopardized Pilate’s political standing among the Roman citizens. The Jewish leaders held significant political influence, which was recognized by the Roman Empire. Therefore, while Jesus was not a factional leader in a narrow party sense, He was the leader of a Jewish renewal movement that later became a faction or sect within Judaism and eventually evolved into what most people view as a separate religion.
“But God found fault with the people and said: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:8–13 NIV).
The Jewish community struggled to recognize that Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies, like Jeremiah 31:31–34. While the Jews were diligent custodians of the Books of the Law and the Prophets, they failed to see how these Scriptures were coming to fruition in their time. Jesus’ arrival marked the end of the Old Covenant and the establishment of the New, as foretold by Jeremiah. Even His crucifixion is referenced in various prophetic Scriptures that were available to them. It seems that the Jews were knowledgeable about preserving these Scriptures, yet they lacked the understanding and ability to apply them to their daily lives.
Based on these Scriptures, they should have been the least likely to criticize Jesus; however, their actions fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah as well (Isaiah 29:9–13). Isaiah 53:4–5, 12 describes the Suffering Servant who bears the sins of others, is pierced for our transgressions, and is numbered with transgressors. This passage directly foreshadows Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, as fulfilled in Matthew 27:38 and John 19:34–37. Psalm 22 contains vivid imagery of the crucifixion that predates the event by centuries.
It mentions being “pierced in my hands and feet” (Psalm 22:16), the mockery from onlookers (Psalm 22:7–8), the division of garments (Psalm 22:18), and the offering of sour wine (Psalm 69:21). All these details are fulfilled in the Gospel accounts (Matthew 27:35, 39–43; John 19:28–30). Genesis 3:15 foretells the enmity between the serpent and the woman’s seed, culminating in the bruising of the serpent’s head.
This is interpreted as Christ’s victory over sin and Satan through His death and resurrection, as noted in John 12:31–33. Additionally, Numbers 21:9 describes the bronze serpent lifted on a pole by Moses, which serves as a typology of Jesus being “lifted up” on the cross to bring salvation, as referenced in John 3:14. It is important to remember that while Christianity is associated with the New Covenant, it is built on the foundation of the Old Covenant, but modeled according to Jesus and the apostles.
The fault was not with the Covenant but with the Israelites for whom it was made. Hence, Jesus had to die on the cross, paying the price for its violation. Before His crucifixion, He said His blood sealed the New Covenant, representing sacrifice—a truth often misunderstood as justifying a path to prosperity and comfort in this world. When Christians partake of those symbols, they are reminded of His sacrifice and encouraged to live it out, even being willing to suffer alongside Him.
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this (Luke 22:17–23 NIV).
The highlighted remembrance of Jesus provides the gravity of the blood that would be spilled on the cross for the sake of sinful humanity. However, there is also a significant warning regarding the betrayer, pointing specifically to what Judas Iscariot would do. Many people tend to absolve themselves, assuming that Judas’ betrayal was solely the betrayer, unaware that such a behavior represents those walking with Christ for selfish reasons. A more thoughtful perspective suggests that it is possible to identify as a Christian while, like Judas, using His name to engage in actions that contradict its principles.
Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples, but he exploited his position to gain access to information that he would later use to betray Jesus. Whether Judas fully understood the severity of his actions is a crucial question for those who claim to be Christians while acting against His teachings. To be a follower of Jesus is fundamentally different from being among those who surrounded Him solely for personal gain (Luke 14:25-28). True followers are meant to partake in the suffering that Jesus experienced, rather than seeking personal advantage.
Contemporary Christianity often attracts people who follow human leaders rather than Jesus Himself. These leaders may be the ones mentioned in Matthew 24:5, whom Jesus warned about, concerning deceiving many. Although Paul acknowledged that the Jews, like he once was, were zealously committed to God, they sought to establish their own righteousness. Jesus died for their sins, but Christians today do not have that same grace; there is no prophecy indicating that Jesus will die for humanity’s sins a second time. Therefore, those engaged in Christianity need to remain more vigilant and avoid blindly trusting “elders” without examining Scripture, like the Berean Jews (Acts 17:11).
The wrong behavior of certain Jews was specifically recorded to help Christians avoid falling into the same Pharisaic traps. However, many Christians seem to be repeating these mistakes. The teachings of Jesus should not be diluted by traditions and teachings of men, as emphasized in Mark 7:5–9. In Christianity, the only voice that should be heeded is that of Jesus Christ. Other voices can only be understood in the context of His teachings. For today’s Christians, adhering to this principle is as crucial as the warnings Jesus provided regarding His second coming, as seen in Matthew 24:37–39 and Revelation 3:16–20.
Jesus’ mission was to fulfill God’s will, which should also be the primary aim of Christianity. He personally came to Earth rather than delegating His ministry to someone else, like Moses, to eliminate any potential for misunderstanding eternal truths. By focusing solely on Jesus, people can avoid being misled, especially by those who claim to have theological expertise.
While studying theology is not inherently wrong, it is crucial to avoid misrepresenting Jesus. Issues arise when a Christian leader expects compensation and respect for Christ’s ministry, especially since there is no record of Jesus ever receiving rewards during His time on Earth. This expectation can undermine the significance of Jesus’ name. Even more concerning is a leader who claims divine ordination while pretending to have a deep understanding of Scriptures they do not genuinely comprehend.
The Old Covenant emphasized receiving physical blessings through obedience to God’s commandments, while the New Covenant encourages sacrificing physical blessings for the benefit of others. As Matthew 10:39 (NIV) states: “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” If Jesus did not receive any physical blessings for dying on the cross, why would a person purporting to be His follower demand such?
The signs of the times are clear for true followers of Jesus. However, those who take pleasure in material wealth often see no changes at all. They continue to boast about their prosperity, believing it makes them more blessed than others, especially when they notice the large numbers attending their congregations. Understanding that while God’s truth is evident to those who seek it, the counterfeit often reveals itself through physical appearances and charisma, is important.
Jesus gave His life to save humanity, but some counterfeit this by flaunting material wealth as proof of God’s favor. The divisions among Christian denominations reflect common deceptions within the faith. Often, others make sacrifices for such leaders, rather than the leaders sacrificing for their disciples. The god of this world can appear highly effective, especially when contrasted with those genuinely doing God’s work.
As the embodiment of godliness, Jesus could not be seen as a factional leader. Likewise, His followers, who look to Him as their standard, cannot be seen as factional leaders either. Instead, they direct their followers toward Jesus rather than to themselves. This reflects individuals who are willing to undertake difficult paths out of love for Jesus. When Jesus instructed Peter three times to feed His flock, He implied a significant mission, which should not be confused with factional leadership (John 21:15–22). Anyone who embraces the role of a Christian should strive to be in the shoes of Simon Peter and the other early disciples.
The key point of embracing Christianity is that all followers share the same role as the apostles, who went on to baptize others after Jesus departed. There’s no such thing as “lay membership” in true Christianity—this idea comes from human additions, as it does not originate from Christ’s teachings. Genuine Christians follow their faith for a special purpose known only to God and not as directed by human leaders. With this understanding, it becomes impossible to be deceived by those promoting counterfeit Christianity.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, which lays out standards for lifting Zimbabwe out of its current economic depression and into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, offering relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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