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Although two
thousands years have past since Jesus lived, died, and rose from
the grave, he still lives today as the greatest, most powerful
influence in the world. The proud statesmen of the past centuries
have come and gone. Rulers, scholars, philosophers, and
theologians have come and gone. But Jesus still lives today.
He is the most unique person that has ever lived. His birth was
unique. He was born of a virgin, supernaturally conceived. His
birth was angelically announced both to Mary and to the shepherds
in the fields. Although of low birth, he was of the highest
origin.
His life was unique. His life was characterized by the
supernatural. He lived a holy life without sin and performed
greater miracles than anyone who has ever lived.
His message was unique. He offers love and forgiveness and a new
way of life for all who receive him as savior and the essence of
their lives. Wherever his message has gone, new life, new hope,
and a new purpose for living have resulted.
His death on the cross was unique. Two thousands years ago, the
God of the universe sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the
sacrifice for the sins of all men. He died that men might know how
to live.
His resurrection was unique. Three days after his death, the most
amazing event in history took place. Jesus rose from the dead.
His birth, his life, his message, his death, and his resurrection
all indicate that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be. He was
clear in his proclamation to be the Son of God, the essence of
life for all mankind--the savior of the world.
Throughout history, the influence Jesus had on the lives of people
has never been surpassed. No other great leader has inspired so
many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who
encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Staying true
to their faith, they do not hesitate to face hardship, persecution
and even death.
Following Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples were devastated.
They had forsaken him in the Garden of Gethsemane to save their
own lives. But after they met the resurrected Christ, they were
radically changed. Suddenly, they were willing to give their lives
to tell Jesus’ story to the world. Many were tortured and killed
because they proclaimed Jesus was alive.
Skeptics and enemies were also transformed. Jesus’ younger
brother, James, didn’t think Jesus was anybody special. But
after his resurrected brother appeared to him, James not only
believed Jesus was Lord but became the leader of the Jerusalem
church and died a martyr in 62 AD.
Saul of Tarsus was the chief persecutor of early Christians. He
dragged people to prison. When they did not recant their faith, he
was a party to their execution. But he had a dramatic encounter
with the risen Christ on his way to Damascus and he was
transformed from Saul, the enemy of Christianity, to Paul, the
main propagator of its message. He left his position of prestige
in Jewish society, to become a traveling missionary who
experienced incredible suffering in order to share the love of
Christ throughout the Roman empire.
Historian Philip Schaff described the overwhelming influence which
Jesus had on subsequent history and culture of the world.
"This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered
more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon;
without science...he shed more light on things human and divine
than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence
of schools, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken
before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach
of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens
in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations,
discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise
than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern
times."
The power of Christ knows no boundary of time or space. In our own
age, many skeptics have been convinced just as thoroughly their
first-century counterparts. For example, Lew Wallace, a famous
general and literary genius, was a known atheist. For two years,
Wallace studied in the leading libraries of Europe and America,
seeking information that would forever destroy Christianity. While
writing the second chapter of a book outlining his arguments, he
suddenly found himself on his knees crying out to Jesus, "My
Lord and my God."
When confronted by solid indisputable evidence, he could no longer
deny that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Later, Lew Wallace
wrote the book Ben Hur, one of the greatest English novels ever
written concerning the time of Christ.
Similarly, the late C.S. Lewis, professor at Oxford University in
England, was an agnostic who denied the deity of Christ for years.
But he, too, in intellectual honesty, submitted to Jesus as his
God and Savior after studying the overwhelming evidence for his
deity. Over the years, he wrote many books to uphold the ideals of
Christianity, including Mere Christianity and The Screwtape
Letters.
Both of these men and many other men and women have found
fulfillment and joy in following the teachings of Jesus. They were
transformed when they met Christ and yielded their lives to him.
Each of them has made a positive impact on the world. They realize
that agnosticism, atheism, and secular humanism hold no true
answers. Jesus is still relevant to the needs of today. The life
of Christ still changes lives!
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