We often refer to things that are different as unique. But by definition, if something is unique, there is no other like it anywhere.
Jesus Christ is Unique
The Lord Jesus Christ is One of a kind; there is not, nor has there ever been, anyone like Him. He is not to be compared to any religious leader, for He is far more than that. He was a teacher par excellence, but He was far more than that. He was a miracle worker unlike any this world has ever seen, but He was far more than a worker of miracles. His uniqueness in all areas points to one undeniable fact: He is God Himself who took on flesh and lived among us!
The Uniqueness of His Miracles
The Gospel of John records several notable miracles, all for the purpose of demonstrating that Jesus was God Himself. John 20:30–31 states:
“And truly Jesus did many other signs [miracles] in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
One such miracle was the healing of the man who was born blind (John 9:1–33). Once this man received his sight, he answered the cross-examination of the Pharisees with these startling words:
“Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.”
It was a unique miracle performed by the most unique Person in all of history, but it was only one such miracle. There was His first public miracle, the turning of water into wine (John 2:1–11); then there was the feeding of the five thousand, and the healing of the ten lepers — complete, immediate healing, as were all of His healings. There was the healing of the Centurion's servant — done with His spoken word without even being in the presence of the servant. But the one that stands out, the one that caused the Pharisees and leaders to plot "from that day on" how they "might put Him to death," was the raising of Lazarus from the dead after he had been dead for four days (John 11:1–44, 11:53). It was such a phenomenal miracle that the chief priests also began to plot the murder of Lazarus "because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus" (John 12:10–11).
Christ's miracle-working powers proved Him to be all He ever claimed to be: God in human form.
The Uniqueness of His Birth
Isaiah prophesied that God Himself would give a sign:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
The prophet described Him further by saying:
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
God led the tax collector, Matthew, to record the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18–25). In describing His birth, Matthew revealed that "an angel of the Lord" appeared to Mary's betrothed husband, Joseph, and told him:
“…do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew further noted that all of this was done…
“…that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.””
Never has there ever been a conception or a birth such as this. It was unique. And no wonder, for Luke records:
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.”
When Jesus was born, God was brought into human existence. John's account refers to Jesus as the Word made flesh "who dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Note verses 1–3 where "the Word" (Jesus) is God Himself.
The Uniqueness of His Position
Jesus Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. John 1:3, referring to Him, states, "All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made." Some cults teach that Jesus was the first created being or a god created by Jehovah God. John 1:3 clearly disputes this false teaching for without Him not even one thing was made that was made. Also, Isaiah 43:10 clearly states: "Before Me [Jehovah] there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me" (see also Isaiah 44:6, 44:8).
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [foremost] over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist [are held together].”
Christ is also the Savior — the only Savior. Isaiah declared, "I, even I, am the Lord [Jehovah], and besides Me there is no Savior" (43:11). However, when Jesus was born "an angel of the Lord" told the shepherds, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). There is only one God and one Savior, and Jesus is that God and that Savior. Then tucked away in the little book of Titus is the fascinating repetition of calling God the "Savior" three different times (Titus 1:3; 2:10; and 3:4), and right along with that calling Christ the "Savior" three times (Titus 1:4; 2:13; and 3:6). This is surely not a contradiction or an oversight by Paul but rather a strong confirmation that the Savior-God is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is also the Lord of all. Romans 10:9 points out the importance of recognizing that Jesus is Lord (God), and then gives the promise, "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This is a direct quote from Joel 2:32 where the reference is to calling upon Jehovah. Jesus, of course, was Jehovah-God in human form.
One of the most astounding statements in Scripture is the revelation in 1 Corinthians 2:7–8 that none of the rulers knew "the hidden wisdom of God," "for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Yes, the One nailed to the accursed tree was none other than "the Lord of glory," who "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2; compare John 17:4–5).
The Uniqueness of His Character
God alone is holy in His Person and His character, but when Jesus was soon to be born the angel told Mary:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
During the final climax of human history when judgments are being poured out upon this wicked world, seven angels will be singing:
“…the song of [Jesus], saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.”
Unique in His character? Absolutely!
The Uniqueness of His Purpose
He came to forgive sins, which only God can do. When Jesus saw their faith [the ones who dug through the roof to let a paralytic down to where Jesus was teaching inside the house], "He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you'" (Mark 2:5). This irked the scribes and they rightly reasoned within themselves, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:6–7). Jesus, being God, read their thoughts and immediately responded:
““Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.””
The people were so amazed they glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this! (Mark 2:12).
Jesus also came to redeem us from the bondage and penalty of sin. The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that God purchased (bought, redeemed) the Church "with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). When did God ever shed His blood? It was when Jesus died at Calvary (compare 1 Timothy 3:16). No wonder John worshipped the glorified Christ and wrote, "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5).
So many more things could be said concerning the absolute uniqueness of the Lord, but it's important for you to know that this Savior-God wants to have a special relationship with you; a unique relationship because you are also one-of-a-kind. He wants to give you eternal life with Him, which becomes yours the moment you trust in Him to save you (John 3:16, 18). And He wants to guide your life once you are in His family, which becomes a reality when and as you yield to Him as your Shepherd and Guide (Psalm 23 and Romans 12:1–2).
