It is amazing what Jesus was supposed to be on earth: homosexual, immoral and much more. The one thing He apparently was not, was the Son of God. So it is not surprising that according to the latest ‘exciting’ find, Jesus was a married man.
In News 24, 2014-04-10, we read that it has now been conclusively proven that the papyrus on which Jesus’ marriage status was indicated by Him, is authentic. There can be no doubt about it. On it is written, “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife….'” On another part is written, ‘She will be able to be my disciple.’
So, Jesus had a wife! How good of God to give His Son a wife, but it was not the Bride He came to purchase here on earth with His precious blood. Why did the Holy Spirit not tell us about it in the Gospels? This is a valid question and we expect an answer.
The answer will not come from the Holy Spirit. He inspired the 66 books of the Bible and the last book was completed before the end of the first century. This papyrus fragment is dated between the sixth and ninth centuries, but could have been written as early as the second century AD. Note the use of the word ‘could.’ What we do know is that it is not part of the inspired 66 books.
If the fragment is not part of the inspired books, what value does it have? Immense value to show how true the Bible is. Jesus said something that is proved true every day, “If the world hates you [the disciples], keep in mind that it hated me first…. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…. He who hates me hates my Father as well…. But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’” 1
What is Jesus telling us? There is someone who doesn’t like His face. He shows it by constant maligning, mud throwing and active persecution. It is the devil. So we can safely assume that the papyrus fragment is another in a long line of assaults on the character of Jesus. It is just another proof that Jesus is real. Nobody slurs ghosts or myths.
One aspect of this age is that we will always have Bible Bashing and Jesus jeering. It is because the devil, the ruler of this age, controls the media 2 and the majority of the world. He knows the truth. Therefore he knows that there will be eternal life with Jesus, and he will miss it. He hates it, and cannot keep his mouth from slandering Jesus, amplifying his defeat on the cross. Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, waiting for the glorious moment of His second coming and His ultimate victory over all the evil forces presently at work in society.
Conclusion: Jesus is hated as He predicted, but those who join Him are on the Victor’s side.
References
- John 15:18-25
- 1 John 5:19b
6 days / 66 books / 6000 years 