Why does Jesus matter so much? Why can’t we just consider Him a great teacher and moral exemplar and leave it at that?

Well, why did the leaders of His own people end up conspiring to kill Him? Oh, the common people turned on Him because He had disappointed them, refusing to lead them in a revolution against the Romans. But the leaders weren’t spoiling for a fight, so they should have been pleased when it became obvious that Jesus was no revolutionary.

No, the real reason the leaders wanted to kill Him is the same reason that so many people reject Him today – because He claimed to be the Son of God, equal with the Father. For if that’s true, then it’s just not possible for anyone to be in a right relationship with God without at the same time bowing the knee before Christ. If He is Who He says He is, then He is not just one way to God – He is the only way (John 14:6). And that means He is the only judge of all of humanity, regardless of what anyone might think or believe about Him (John 5:22, 27-30).

But the good news is that if Jesus is Who He says He is, then He can also keep the beautiful promises He has made to us. If He is the Son of God, He has the authority to give eternal life to all who trust in Him, freeing us from judgment and from death itself (John 5:21). If He is the Son of God, He has complete access to all of the Father’s plans, so He can give us perfectly reliable guidance (John 5:20). If He is the Son of God, when we look at Him, we no longer need to wonder what God is like – we know He is like Jesus.

So the good news is that we have no good reason to reject the claims of Christ. Who wouldn’t want to serve a God Who is so gracious and loving, so welcoming of those who are sinful and broken, so willing to do whatever it takes to restore us to a right relationship with Him? Isn’t He worthy of all our honor and all our trust?

John 5:18-24 (NASB)

18 For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
20 “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and greater works than these will He show Him, that you may marvel.
21 “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.
22 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,
23 in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.