The Influence of Jesus
It is safe to say that no person in history has had more influence on the human race than a man named Jesus. Universities (including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford and Cambridge) were founded by his followers. Countless hospitals carry some reference to Jesus, and the Red Cross pays homage to him in their name. More than 2 billion people on earth claim to follow him.
The first book printed on a printing press was the Bible, which is primarily about Jesus, and every year the Bible is the best selling book in the world. Cathedrals have been built to honor Jesus, artwork about Jesus is world famous, and songs and books about Jesus could fill libraries.
Yet while he was on the earth (and serious historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth lived on the earth) he only taught for a short time and was sent to execution by the religious leaders of his day. He had a small core-group of followers, one of whom betrayed him. When he was arrested and killed, those followers at first ran and hid, thinking they were next.
Sacrificing for the Sins of All
So who is this Jesus? That is a question he asked his followers to answer and it is a question that Jesus’ followers today think everyone should answer.
Jesus himself claimed to be sent by God for the purpose of being the sacrifice for the sins of all who would accept that free gift.
Sin is a word that means “missing the mark.” The mark is to be in a right relationship with God, which happens by obeying God. But none of us can do that, and God knew it. So God himself provided the ultimate payment for sin, a sacrificial lamb that was perfect: Jesus, God’s own son.
The Bible says that Jesus (a name that means savior) is the Christ (a title that means anointed and is the same as Messiah).
Ultimately what matters most, though, is who each of us thinks Jesus is. We say “is” because the Bible teaches that Jesus was raised from the dead, walked on the earth for forty days after that, was seen by more than 500 people, and then ascended into heaven.
How Do You Describe Jesus?
C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, said you have to believe one of three things about Jesus. He was either a liar, claiming to be the Son of God, or he was a lunatic, claiming to be the Son of God, or he is Lord. Which description would you choose?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please think about it, talk to others about it, and even talk to God about it. If you have more questions or want to talk to someone about Jesus, please Contact Us. In the meantime we are praying that you’ll get to know Jesus personally.
Just one more thing: the old children’s song is right—Jesus loves you.
