Christology that is a Lemon

I always cringe when I hear media personalities emphatically claim something about Jesus as if they are sudden experts in Christology.

Case in point: CNN’s Don Lemon.

“Here’s the thing, Jesus Christ--if that’s who you believe in, Jesus Christ--admittedly was not perfect when He was here on earth.”

Admittedly? By who?

Certainly not by Jesus Christ, the Apostles, or any person who takes seriously the Bible. In one statement, Don Lemon reveals a complete and utter ignorance of the basic tenet of the Christian faith--the person of Jesus Christ.

The Bible unilaterally declares that Jesus Christ was sinless. It says in the book of Hebrews that Jesus is “holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners” (Heb. 7:26) and “without blemish” (Heb. 9:14). In 2 Corinthians 5:21, it states that Christ “knew no sin” and the Apostle John said, “In him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Jesus Christ stands as the epitome of perfection in every attribute and to say otherwise, is irreverent and blasphemous.

However, what is the importance of Jesus being sinless? Does Jesus have to be perfect to save sinners?

The answer is “YES!”

The sinless perfection of Jesus is the reason why his death, burial, and subsequent resurrection can be effectual to save. If Jesus had sinned then his redemptive work to bring sinners to heaven is forfeited. Why? Because heaven is only opened for perfect people and God demands complete and total perfection. In other words, to be where God is, you have to be like Him, perfect in every way.

The sinlessness of Jesus is the foundation of the gospel because we, unlike Jesus, are not perfect and therefore hopelessly condemned. It was the perfect righteousness of Christ that was earned by him and now given freely to those who believe that swings open the door to paradise and fellowship with God. Christ’s sinless record is transferred to the sinner by faith so that when God looks at them, He does not see one under judgment but one who is now declared righteous. We trade our sinfulness, guilt, and shame for Christ’s perfection in what is known as “The Great Exchange” and in that, the gospel is really good news for the unrighteous, like us.

As I said earlier, the sinless perfection of Christ is why his death on the cross is so powerful. What good does it do for a condemned sinner to give his life for another sinner? Yet Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6) and now we have been justified by his blood (Rom. 5:9). Jesus Christ is known as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world” (John 1:36) and in being called that, Jesus stands as the ultimate sacrifice to achieve atonement. In the Old Testament, in order for the people of Israel to have their sins dealt with they had to offer a lamb without spot or blemish. Every morning and every evening, these lambs would be slain (Exodus 29:38) and this process was repeated for centuries. Then in one moment, Christ emerges, without any taint or blemish in virtue and willingly sacrifices himself to deal with sin. This sacrifice of his life and the shedding of his blood, once and for all paid for his people’s sins and never will be repeated.

It was also the perfection of Christ that was instrumental in raising him from the dead. The Bible says that the “soul that sins will die” (Eze. 18:20) and the “wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Physical death is a result of sin and ever since Adam, humanity has perished and remained in the grave. Now Christ did die on a cross and was buried, but unlike others before him, he didn’t stay dead. His resurrection vindicated his perfect life and showed that death couldn’t hold him because it is only reserved for those under the curse of sin (Acts. 2:24).

So why did Don Lemon say that Jesus was “admittedly not perfect”? It’s because he doesn’t know Christ. If he did, he would not be so reckless to slander the character of Jesus. Don Lemon’s woefully imperfect speech and life is the reason why he needs the perfect Savior. In fact, we all do and that is why I pray that Don Lemon and all will turn to Christ today.