Who is the Real Jesus?

In hospitals where I have worked, people are occasionally admitted with delusions that they are Jesus. Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to occur more at Christmas or Easter, but happens throughout the year. Sometimes they are Christians, sometimes they are not but tend to have a church background. When people become psychotic, they often draw on what is already prevalent in their life.
 
Last year, when I was working in New Zealand, we had two ‘Jesus’s’ at the same time. This caused no problem at all – each took the other in their stride, assuming themselves to be genuine and the other to be false. One even quoted Matthew 24v5: “For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.” Eventually, with treatment, they became well again and could see that their beliefs had been part of their mental illness. One was a Christian, one was not.
 
It’s tempting to laugh at situations like this, but of course being psychotic is no laughing matter. Laughing also betrays an underlying stigma many of us have – that they (the insane) may believe such things from time to time, but we (the sane) could never be so foolish. Yet, there is no such division, and some who think this way go on to be psychotic at some later point in their lives.
 
Also, ‘sanity’ doesn’t mean we are immune from inaccurate beliefs about Jesus that might as well be delusional, for the consequences they have are severe. Do we write Jesus off as a good teacher, or a lunatic, or a fool? Or, at this time of year, as a sweet baby in a manger who gives us an excuse for a party?
 
What we believe about Jesus will affect our lives and our eternal destiny. For those who are psychotic, their illness is their defence. But for those who claim to be sane, they will be held to account… At this time of year, it is good to ask ourselves the question: Who is the real Jesus?
 
This song by DownHere shows some of the common mistakes people make:
 
[Watch on Youtube]
 
Jesus on the radio, Jesus on a late night show
Jesus in a dream, looking all serene
Jesus on a steeple, Jesus in the Gallup poll
Jesus has His very own brand of rock and roll

Watched Him on the silver screen
Bought the action figurine
But Jesus is the only name that makes you flinch

Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the mystery of the real Jesus
 
Jesus started something new
Jesus coined a phrase or two
Jesus split the line at the turning point of time
Jesus sparked a controversy
Jesus, known for His mercy, gave a man his sight
Jesus isn't white

Jesus loves the children, holds the lambs
Jesus prays a lot
Jesus has distinguishing marks on His hands

If anybody walks behind the Good Shepherd
If anybody holds the hands that heal lepers
And if you recognize the eyes that see forever, please...
 
Jesus, Jesus
Oh, can anybody show me Jesus
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory, the real Jesus

Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory of the real Jesus, the real Jesus