People shape the image of Jesus into what they think is acceptable. If people would read the Bible, they might think Jesus was a very intolerant person—not the all-accepting pacifist they make Him out to be.
Jesus was intolerant of any extra-biblical description of Himself. He is the Messiah (John 4:25-26). He is the Son of God (John 5:17-18). He is the bread of life (John 6:35). He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the door (John 10:11-14). He is the good shepherd (John 10:11-14). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Jesus is intolerant of any other religious authority. With His “but I say unto” statements from the Sermon on the Mount, the people recognized that He taught with authority (Matt. 7:28-29). He forgave sins to demonstrate His authority on earth (Matt. 9:6). Jesus said to the apostles, “All authority has been given to Me” (Matt. 28:18). There is no room for any other authority.
Jesus is intolerant of any other system of worship. During the temptation Jesus said, “You shall worship the Lord thy God and Him only you shall serve” (Luke 4:8). To the woman by the well He said true worshipers will worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:21-24). We must worship with the right object, God, in the right spirit, and according to truth.
Jesus is intolerant of any extra-biblical way into heaven. Jesus said the way is narrow (Matt. 7:13-14). “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
Jesus is intolerant of a loose idea of discipleship. You can’t look back (Luke 9:62). You can’t love anyone more than Jesus (Matt. 10:37-38). Jesus said that you can’t love self more than Him. We must deny self (Matt. 16:24).
Jesus was intolerant of a loose view of truth. “In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). Jesus said that freedom is tied to the right concept of truth (John 8:32). Jesus said the word of God is truth (John 17:17). Jesus said that He is the truth (John 14:6).
There are many other things that Jesus was intolerant of, like a perverted view of marriage, cheap blessings, or various churches. He was intolerant of anything that would cheapen, pervert or contaminate the pure and healthy teaching of the truth. His narrowminded intolerance should be ours (Phil. 2:4). Be warned. To take a stand for anything now is considered to be intolerant of any opposing view. Just taking a firm stand for anything will quickly find you being labeled like Jesus. We need to make sure we are standing up for those things that are important and holding onto the truths of the word. We must not change the real Jesus.