Unlike the Trinitarian view, Jesus is understood as a brother who came to guide humanity back to the Father. He is not meant to be worshipped but to serve as the model for how we are to live. As the ideal man made in God’s image—just as we all are—Jesus reflects the potential that every human being can attain. This idea can seem strange or even confusing to those who view themselves as inherently lesser than Jesus in character and virtue. One reason He was killed was His effort to reveal this truth to the Jews, who could not accept that a despised person could possess such a level of understanding.
“You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds” (John 8:57–59, NIV).
There is nothing unusual about what Jesus said—anyone in this world could say the same. Many people whom God uses go unheeded because they are despised. What made Jesus distinguishable, as still remembered today, was the cross. He willingly bore the cross because He was not part of the fallen humanity rooted in Adam; He displayed a courage no one else had ever shown. The real difference between Jesus and the Jews—who were caught up in their lineage from Abraham—came down to Adam’s sin.
The only way to truly reconnect with the origin of humanity is through Jesus, imitating His conviction in every aspect of our lives. That is why He called Himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Jews must be understood as speaking from a place of degraded humanity. Having lost their true identity, most people cannot appreciate being children of God except by looking to Jesus. It takes courage to stand for this truth.
Degraded humanity often feels at ease with perspectives shaped by devastation and sin. Trapped in that state, only the redeemed can help free those still bound. The responsibility Jesus carried is beyond comprehension, yet it fulfills the ideal of God’s nature—a nature present in all people, whether they realize it or not. Light-bearers are simply those who have become aware of this broken reality.
Many people live lives that are not truly their own, copying the behaviors of personalities they admire. It is hard to explain why someone chooses to live another’s life, but it happens. Children often grow up seeking to please their parents rather than God. Education itself follows patterns set by academic models, and those who break away face strong opposition.
This tendency to live as someone else appears across all walks of life. Even naturally calm and decent individuals may act like clowns in trying to imitate famous comedians. Instead of being true to themselves, they adapt to what is considered acceptable around them. Though made in God’s image, every person is as unique as each species in creation. While not being different from Jesus, each person carries unique capabilities, enabled by Jesus living in them.
People like Steve Jobs are viewed as rare, even in our age of remarkable technological progress, because they stayed authentic to what they were born to be. Such brilliant minds often break away from the confines of traditional education, and their groundbreaking creations continue to shape today’s world. Their electronic innovations can feel almost miraculous, reminiscent of how people once viewed the works of Jesus.
Only the superstitious think humans cannot achieve such things, unaware of God’s image in their own lives. Jesus taught that even a little faith makes nothing impossible (Matthew 17:20) and that people could accomplish even greater works (John 14:12). For those who believe we are made in God’s image, miracles are not surprising, regardless of who performs them.
Satan knew God’s children had the power to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:3). While Jesus, the Son of God, could do it, He resisted the temptation aimed at stirring pride. A corrupted person might have flaunted such abilities, but the true Son of God acts only in line with God’s will. Had Jesus given in, He would have aligned Himself with Satan.
The reason ordinary people do not perform miracles is often ignorance of their own natural abilities, coupled with self-invalidation. When they see themselves as God’s children, nothing is impossible, for they are made in His image. They could even turn stones into bread if they kept their focus on fulfilling God’s will. Many instead choose to identify with those they see as heroes, thereby becoming copycats of what they admire in others.
This is why celebrities are commonly idolized, with little thought to the downsides of such worship. God’s will feels out of reach for most because of a lack of knowledge and courage. God’s children should not be ruled by pain or suffering. They fear nothing and are not intimidated by the physical things of this world, aware that the physical body does not represent them. Fear is naturally caused by a lack of awareness of being God’s child.
Fear comes from not knowing one’s true identity. Those who truly embrace being God’s child accept death without complaint. Spiritually degraded people cannot believe in themselves, so they end up living to celebrate the lives of their heroes. They struggle to connect with the boldness and determination needed to live by their own abilities and self-determination.
Jesus said that those who lose their physical lives for His sake will find them, but those who cling to their lives will lose everything (Matthew 10:39). The simple truth is that there is nothing worth celebrating in a person’s physical life. It is important to understand that every individual is unique. Even if they look alike—fathers and sons, or twin siblings—they are as different as God intended, each with their own original purpose.
People often end up trying to live someone else’s life, copying the admirable actions of their heroes, due to self-invalidation. But chasing another person’s dreams is an illusion, born out of ignorance of one’s true identity. The real question that ought to be answered is, “Why live someone else’s life instead of your own?” It usually comes down to wanting glory and avoiding pain.
Even when Satan tempted Jesus, he played on these ideas—offering glory that might have attracted the Jews and the relief of food after forty days of fasting. But giving in would have hurt His relationship with His Father. In the same way, humanity broke its connection with God while chasing glory and comfort. Thanks to Jesus, who came to restore what was lost.
Many seek recognition and ease instead of living out their true purpose, and that is where much of humanity’s trouble begins. Even those committed to following Christ can fall into these traps, not realizing that clinging to this short life—while fearing death—only leads to losing such life, just as Jesus warned in Matthew 10:39.
The tendency of the worship phenomenon itself often stems from a desire to avoid pain, much like submitting to human authority, instead of God. Graduating from college is often about seeking glory, just as aiming for a promotion is a pursuit of recognition by fellow humans. These patterns reflect the desires of a flawed humanity. Jesus revealed Himself as the way, the truth, and the life for those determined to break free from their rut.
Saying you follow Jesus is one thing, but truly reflecting Him means shunning vain glory and being willing to endure pain. Anyone can be God’s child if they choose to follow Jesus and avoid this trap. Following Jesus does not mean worshipping Him but applying every principle He taught. God’s will is above all, and every person is as unique as Jesus was different from us.
While all people are God’s children, each has a distinct purpose that cannot be compared to any other. Being made in God’s image does not mean taking on Jesus’ role; just as Jesus leads us to God, we cannot take on Christ’s role, as shown in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). Each is allocated talents according to the individual, bearing their own cross that is different from that of Jesus (Matthew 16:24).
The greatest miracle simply exists in the person’s true identity. Every person is unmatched and incomparable to anyone who has ever lived—a priceless creation, no matter their background. This is a miracle that awaits all who love God, although suppressed by pretenders. Our uniqueness can make us shine and possibly attract admiration from others.
One of life’s biggest questions is how to help those weighed down by sin and self-doubt discover their true potential without losing their comfort. Jesus, though Lord and the source of salvation, never sought worship for Himself. When teaching His followers—baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—He did not tell them to worship Him.
Instead, He encouraged them to trust Him above all others in understanding God’s ways, warning against chasing glory or avoiding challenges for comfort. He directed them to worship God, teaching them to pray to the Father without elevating Himself or anyone else (Matthew 6:9–13). True worshippers are not those who think they have the right to be worshipped by others.
By telling them not to call anyone on earth “father” except their Heavenly Father (Matthew 23:9), Jesus was emphasizing the point of knowing God without mixing Him with any other authority. Humanity reflects the image in which it was created, yet our physical nature contrasts with God’s image. Without becoming like Jesus, the broken human condition cannot be healed. The race or tribe of an individual plays no role here, as God is not represented by anything physical or earthly, except identifying with Him in the Spirit.
Celebrities may capture the spotlight, but there is no reason to envy them. We are all made in God’s image, each with our own unique purpose. Good pastors help even the most broken find their true potential, which is not about chasing fame or enduring needless suffering.
Jesus lived to fulfill God’s will, not to please people, and His followers should do the same. While children are born to earthly parents, they ultimately belong to God and need guidance toward a purpose centered on serving others, not themselves. For true Christians, few things are as time-consuming as getting caught up in worldly activities.
True service is not about self-pleasure but about living the calling we were created for. Sometimes that calling can lead to an early death, as it did for Jesus, who died at thirty-three and a half years after completing His mission. It was the same for the apostle Paul.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8, NIV).
For Christians, another challenging reality is letting go of grudges against those who persecute them. Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and bless those who mistreat them. There is no time to keep grudges against our enemies. While it is natural and uplifting to pray for loved ones, Jesus specifically called on His disciples to pray for their persecutors.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren’t even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:43–46, NIV).
A Christian is no different from Jesus, and Paul learned that truth the hard way.
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied” (Acts 9:4–5, NIV).
Realistically, a Christian can be like Jesus by steering clear of two major stumbling blocks: (1) seeking personal glory, and (2) being unwilling to endure pain in this life while following God’s will. Every person has the potential to embrace God’s will and become a child of God. Jesus remains the ultimate example for staying on the right path.
The reminder is never to lose sight of the truth that even those who have fallen still bear the image of God. Their lack of honor does not erase the fact that they were created in His likeness. It is up to those who carry the light to guide the lost, for the blind cannot lead the blind. Those who can see have a responsibility to help the blind gain sight, following the example set by Jesus.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression 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, relieving 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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