Unique

Some Bible translations use the word 'unique' in their rendering of John 3:16 and describe Jesus as God’s unique Son. In what ways is Jesus unique? Here are four ways.

First, Jesus is the only person who is both God and man. He has always been the eternal Son of God, but he also became a human at his conception in the womb of his mother Mary. Since then he has been both God and man and will always be so.

Second, Jesus is the only human to have lived a perfect life. He never had a wrong thought, said a wrong word, or did a wrong action. This was the case during his childhood, adolescence and adulthood. No matter the kind of situation he faced, he went through each of them perfectly.

Third, Jesus is the only person to have paid the full penalty for the sins of others. This he did when he was on the cross at Calvary. There, he paid the penalty for the sins of his people. After he had done so, he cried, ‘It is finished,’ indicating that the price had been paid.

Fourth, Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners. In the gospel, he is offered to us as our Saviour, as a free gift, and anyone can take him by faith to be their Saviour. He saves every person who does so.

There are other ways in which Jesus is unique. Maybe you have time to think of more ways.