n addition to his remarks already quoted there are many
other instances of an exaggerated ego.

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he
cannot be my disciple."[14]

"Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."[15]

"If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."[16]

"I am the light of the world."[17]

"I am the Son of God."[18]

"I am the resurrection and the life."[19]

If Jesus was correct in claiming that he was the Messiah, if he could
control the elements and send people to heaven or hell, he was justified
in any extreme remarks; but not if he were merely a man. Every person is
entitled to have as good an opinion of himself as his character and
ability warrant, but expressions of his own worth are unseemly even if
true, and are inexcusable if exaggerated. As Jesus himself said (though
this authority is only for believers) testimony about oneself is
unreliable.

Jesus not only claimed to be more than a man, he threatened his hearers
with death if they did not agree with him. All of which might be
permissible if he were God, but was an egotistical illusion if he was
merely human.

_Lack of Courtesy_

Jesus did not always exhibit the courtesy one would expect of a
gentleman, or even of a nature's nobleman.

The first instance of lack of consideration was when he slipped away
from his parents, causing them unnecessary anxiety: "Son, why hast thou
thus dealt with us? behold thy father and I have sought thee
sorrowing."[20] He had remained behind to study Hebrew theology and did
not tell his parents, presumably because he thought they would not have
permitted the venture.

Another instance was found in his daily life:

"A certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and
sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had
not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye
Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your
inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools ..."[21]

Jesus had not only failed to wash as was expected of a guest, but
defended his uncleanliness and abused his host.

At another time Jesus was discourteous to his mother:

"And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They
have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with
thee?"[22]