Now if Jesus Christ were mere man the Jews did right, according to their law, in putting Him to death. In Leviticus 24:16, we read: “And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.”
This law obliged them to put to death everyone who blasphemed. It was making the statement that He was divine that cost Him His life; and by the Mosaic law He ought to have suffered the death penalty. In John 16:15, Christ says, “All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” How could He be merely a good man and use language as that?
No doubt has ever entered my mind on the point since I was converted.
A notorious sinner was once asked how he could prove the divinity of Christ. His answer was, “Why, He has saved me; and that is a pretty good proof, is it not?”
An infidel on one occasion said to me, “I have been studying the life of John the Baptist, Mr. Moody. Why don’t you preach him? He was a greater character than Christ. You would do a greater work.” I said to him, “My friend, you preach John the Baptist; and I will follow you and preach Christ: and we will see who will do the most good.” “You will do the most good,” he said, “because the people are so superstitious.” Ah! John was beheaded; and his disciples begged his body and buried it: but Christ has risen from the dead; He has “ascended on high; He has led captivity captive; and received gifts for men.” (Psalm 68:18).
Our Christ lives . Many people have not found out that Christ has risen from the grave. They worship a dead Saviour, like Mary, who said, “They have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid Him.” (John 20:13). That is the trouble with those who doubt the divinity of our Lord.