JESUS
Jesus Christ is the most popular person who ever lived, yet he is also the most misunderstood person who ever lived.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Billions of people all over the world claim to follow his teachings. More books have been written about him and love songs sung to him than any other person in the history of the world. The Bible, which was the first book ever printed on the printing press, as well as the biggest selling book of all time and perennial best seller, focuses on his life.
“I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
His influence is unprecedented. Many people, from some of the greatest leaders the earth has ever seen to the homeless living under a bridge, declare their devotion to him. His birth was so impactful, the Christmas holiday is one of the largest celebrations on earth. His life was so monumental that the majority of the nations around the world mark the years with reference to when he was born with the time designations of B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Latin, Anno Domini meaning 'year of our Lord'). Multitudes profess to be his followers. But how much do you really know about him?
“I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”
Consider this—he didn’t own a house, wasn’t a king or ruler with land and subjects, had no army, penned no books of his own, never traveled more than 320 miles from his birthplace, chose disciples that were either formally uneducated or social outcasts, ministered during a time when his homeland was conquered by a foreign power, lived in lower middle-class conditions for most of his life, only spoke publicly for three years, and was executed in his early thirties like a criminal.
“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.”
No one should remember Jesus. No one should care about a Jewish peasant teacher from thousands of years ago. Would you expect this person to even be remembered in his own lifetime? Probably not. However, he is not just recalled from the pages of history like George Washington or Napoleon or King Tut or Tupac Shakur. He is adored. He is cherished. He is worshipped.
“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”
Does Jesus deserve such veneration from one person much less billions of people? Is this just more misplaced attention from desperate people looking for something or someone to hope in? Let’s see. Take a journey with Jesus in Days With Jesus as we see him through the eyes of his best friend, John.
