The Uniqueness of Jesus, based on John 14, was the theme of Rev Alasdair Macleod’s Moderator’s Address to the General Assembly.
He said: “I want us to speak today and to think today about the uniqueness of Jesus. What a beautiful topic. If we think of world history, there is no-one like Jesus.”
He explained that Jesus’ impact is “unique, transformational, cross-generational and positive”, adding: “We can trace back and education, healthcare, human rights, modern science and the arts – all gained traction through devotion to Jesus. He really does stand apart.”
Mr Macleod said Napoleon, the French military leader, commented that while others founded their empires on force, ‘Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love and at this hour millions of men would die for him’. Later, he says that Jesus stands a part. In the words of the English writer HG Wells, ‘I am a historian, I am not a believer. But I must confess this penniless preacher from Nazareth is…easily the most dominant figure in all of history. Jesus is unique in world history.”
Speaking about religious history, Mr Macleod said others claim to know where knowledge, peace or life may be found. “Jesus doesn’t point elsewhere. He points to himself: He is truth, he is life, he is the way for us t understand who God is. He is in a different category on his own. Without Jesus, there’s no Christianity,” he said.
He said we need to focus on the testimony of scripture. “We are in a moment that’s welcome with news of a renewed interest among Gen Z who are abandoning the emptiness of atheism in a search for theism. They are abandoning no God for the search for what God is like and in this moment, the key compelling testimony that they need to be pointed to, as well as all the other generations, is what the Bible teaches us about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. The stakes could not be higher. No matter how long or short we live in his world, this is the pre-match warm-up for what happens next. Time will be replaced by eternity. And for our family, and our friends, and for our communities and our nation, their future depends on them understanding and responding to the person and work, and the identity and mission of Jesus Christ.
He highlighted John 14:6: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Mr Macleod spoke about Jesus’ identity and his mission. He highlighted John 1:1 and John 1:14 explaining that Jesus, who is eternal, dwelt among us. He spoke of John 3:16, that Jesus is one of a kind. He is unique – and he is uniquely sinlessness. In John 8:45-47, we see that Jesus had no actual or inherited sin.
“This is why when Jesus says that he is the way, the truth and the life, it’s not arrogant because he is coming from such a very different position to you and I. With no brokenness, with no past history that could somehow come back from the vaults of our past and cause shame. There’s none of that because he is pure, in and of himself. And so, when we are coming to him, we rae coming to God.”
Mr Macleod said: “Gen X along with the Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha – if they want to know what God is like, we need to point them to Jesus and say this is God. He is the eternal God.
Mr Macleod spoke about God’s mission. “It is because of who Jesus is that we benefit from what Jesus does. Christmas isn’t enough. We need Easter…for that gap to be bridged between a holy God and an unholy people.”
He said Jesus is the first word and the final word. He added that good relationships are based on good communication. God has communicated clearly to us through Jesus, our saviour.
Mr Macleod said Jesus’ priestly work as the unique sacrifice to end all sacrifices. “The prophet was God’s representative before humanity; the priest is humanity’s representative before God.” He said Jesus, the final priest, offered one unique, unrepeatable sacrifice. He lived a perfect life and that uniquely qualified him to die the death that we should have died.
Mr Macleod spoke about Jesus as King, explaining that Jesus said to Pilate, ‘you are right in saying I am a king’ (John 18:37). Jesus came not to be served but to serve. He wasn’t aloof. He was where the people are.
He highlighted Jane Austen’s novel Pride & Prejudice, where the leading lady gets it wrong about Mr Darcy. Thinking he’s aloof, proud, arrogant, she hears one of his servants speak, ‘he is the best landlord and the best master that ever lived’. Mr Macleod said that Jesus is our greatest master – and he still lives.
“The Church is precious to Jesus”, Mr Macleod reminded commissioners. “Walking among us in none other than our King – how wonderful is that – the King whom we serve, whom we gladly bow the knee too.”
Mr Macleod said: “We know where to find Jesus. We know where to point others. We know where to point our family, our friends, our communities and our nation as we get the opportunity to do so to tell them about the uniqueness of Jesus. It’s not a claim that we’re making about Jesus, it’s a claim that Jesus is making about himself because there is no-one like Jesus. There is no-one who has ever been like Jesus and there is no-one who will ever be like Jesus.”
He concluded: “As the unique saviour, he knows exactly what our levels of devotion to him are today. He knows whether or not our hearts are moved are we hear about his unique identity and his unique mission…He knows whether our congregations are places where the curious will find out about the uniqueness of Jesus.”
“Finally: A man wrote to his dying aunt, with these words: ‘My dear aunt, years ago I left a house of death not knowing where I was to go, whether anyone cared, whether it was the end for me. The ride was long, but your servant encouraged me. Finally, I arrived into your embrace and a new home. I was expected. I felt safe. You did that for me. Now it’s your turn to go. I’m writing to let you know, someone is waiting up, your room is ready, the light is on, the door is open, and you are expected home!”
Mr Macleod reminded commissioners of the scripture verses John 14: 2- 3 and 6. “What a Saviour we have,” he concluded.
Stepping away from the usual tradition of commissioners clapping after the Address, Mr Macleod instead encouraged commissioners to sing together in praise. The Address concluded by everyone singing Psalm 24 together.