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by Roger Born Putting aside religion and other preconceptions, let us look at the facts about the man Jesus. There is nothing to be afraid of in doing so. Just consider this an exercise in critical thinking. Doing this will clear the air of misconceptions and perhaps eliminate all the false superstructure of ideas and unnecessary traditions surrounding him. Many think they know him. He is the “Savior,” after all. He died on a cross. He was a good man. Most everyone admits to this much about Jesus. Others see him as sort of an effeminate character, not wishing to lift his voice against anyone, and fading into the background as events happen around him. Others do not even consider him at all in their busy lives. But if you want to give him a hearing. Read on: First of all, when you consider Jesus, you must look at him as a wearer of many names and titles, all of which he seems to deserve. We see him in the very beginning, for when God was nearly done creating everything, he said “Let us make Man in our image.” The Gospel of John comments on this, for it says that Jesus is the eternal “Word” of God, who was at that beginning, and that "nothing was created without him." Then John says that Jesus is God himself, and that "he become flesh and lived among us." Therefore we understand that Jesus had a history long before he became a man. Centuries before he came to earth, many men wrote about him, calling him “Prince of Peace,” “Almighty God,” and “Eternal Father.” He was called “The Bright and Morning Star.” He was also called the “Man of Sorrows,” and the “Ancient of Days.” To understand why he wears so many names, and has so many designations assigned to him, perhaps you need to see who he was before he came to earth as a man. The Old Testament reveals him as “The Captain of the Lord’s Army” and “The Lord of Hosts” which titles were clearly directed at an angel, who somehow was much more than an angel, for he both commanded worship and was given worship by the men to whom he appeared. Therefore, we find this man Jesus busy and active even in the ancient times of the Old Testament. Oh yes, this is person much more than just a good man who walked the earth 2000 years ago. Once you begin to see the kind of titles and names he wears, you begin to get a grasp of the scope and magnitude of this individual. When you consider Jesus, ask what it was like for him to leave the supreme place of honor and power and dominion and glory that he had always known. If there is a center to all things, and if it is called “Heaven,” and if he was there reigning as the eternal and undisputed ruler and potentate of all creation, and of all the universes, why did he leave it? Why would he diminish himself to become a mere man, and live our life, and walk in our shoes? No shy and retiring man was Jesus, for it is said about him when he came to earth,that “He grew up in both wisdom and physical strength before men and God.” His walk upon the earth was blameless. Who among us could make such a claim? His ministry was with power and beauty, -- perfection itself. His teachings are beyond compare with anyone’s, and the continue to astonish and inspire millions of people even today. It is said that the Kingdom he won at his death will never have an end. Above all of this is his undeserved death on a cross, so violent and cruel, yet so full of love and forgiveness – a perfect sacrifice. Oh yes, there is a reason that he deserves the place man have given him in history. He is the centerpiece and focus of all mankind, of all human history. This is a place he well deserves. We date our calendar year by his birth, and we build our best character traits upon his teachings of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Even those few and honored heroes among us who sacrifice their lives, are likened to him in his own sacrifice, for he indeed did boldly and willingly lay down his life for his friends, and even for his enemies. When he came here, a helpless babe, born of a peasant woman, it was said that a great light sprang out in our world of darkness, lighting every crevice, and every darkened heart. He also came in the "fulness of time," at the perfect time. It was said of him that he came to set the captive free, and to mend up the lame, and to cause the blind to see. It is said of him that he did many miracles, walking on the water, feeding thousands with almost nothing, and even raising the dead. People scoff at this. Yet if he is the one who created all things, how hard would it be for him to mend them again? If he has all authority and power from on high, how hard is it for him to do anything at all? Miracles? They would be all too easy for someone like him. It would be nothing for him to do those things so many people so want to disbelieve. That is, if you consider who he was before he became a man, and what kind of power resided in that human body he lived in. People still dismiss him. People look at Jesus as someone who is fixed in time, and worse than that, fixed in ancient history. That all happened a long time ago. He’s not relevant today, right? If you are to know who Jesus is, then you need to consider that he still exists, and that right now he is ruling over all things. He does still wear the title “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,” does he not? Here many grow uncomfortable, because an ancient Jesus is a much more safe and distant Jesus than one who still lives and works among men, and who promises a swift Return. You must consider that he not only died on a cross and was buried, but that many eyewitnesses reported that he both arose from the dead, and ascended back to heaven, rightfully taking his place once again at the center of the Universe. He did not go back empty handed either, for while in the grave, he descended into Hell itself and set free those who were wrongfully held captive there, bringing them joyfully whole into his Father’s presence. Here is a man who has not only done everything, he has been everywhere there is to be. This means he is now where he needs to be, sitting again at that highest place he once abandoned to come here. God the Father also spoke about him after his resurrection, for it seems that God himself is determined to bring all things unto subjection to this Jesus, both things in the heavens and things on the earth, so that Jesus will be the eventual ruler over all things, even over Death. This is an ongoing work of God, whether we see it or not, or whether we wish it to be or not. The Bible is full of this kind of talk, for it says that one day all people from all times and nations will bow before Jesus, as they confess that he is Lord of all things. That would include all other ‘gods,’ and the people who worship them, wouldn’t it? Have you thought about that Day, what it will be like to see him? Do you fear it? Do you hope for its appearance? When he returns, every eye will see him, and yet no one will ask, “Who is that?” For they all will know, without a doubt, that it is indeed the man Jesus who comes for them. Many people want to avoid this subject all together, and they live as if there were no tomorrow. But God the Father designated Jesus as the Judge of all Mankind, and he will be, on the Day he returns. So when you consider Jesus, you learn that he was much more than a good man, or a prophet, or even the Savior of the world. It is said of him that he is the “Rock of Ages,” that “He was, and is, and is to come,” and that he is the “Alpha and Omega,” which means the Beginning and the End of all things. Many people spend their whole lives looking for the Truth. Truth is not some saying or bromide, that when you hear it, it changes your whole life. Truth is a man. His name is Jesus. Knowing him means you know the truth about everything. Yes, he is the center of all things, the “Ancient of Days,” and the “Word,” and the “Creator of All Things.” Yes, he is the supreme Leader of all the angels, and the builder of the City of Heaven too. Yes, he commands even the elements, and is obeyed. It is even said of him that “He continues to uphold all things by the power of his word.” Imagine that. Jesus is still at work, even now. Yes, he is all that. But he is so much more, isn’t he? When you consider Jesus you realize that he is indeed returning to Earth in power and glory, and that he really is the “Judge of the Living and the Dead.” But he is more than that: He said of himself, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He that believes in me shall never die.” Are you beginning to see that perhaps he has the right, and the power, to say and do such things, and that indeed nothing is too hard for him to do? It was said of Jesus that “he does all things well.” He is the original Polymath, for every accolade and attribute you could imagine would apply to him, and he could wear it. He is beauty itself. And he is a Man. Superman has nothing on Jesus, for this man Jesus is indeed the ultimate Übermensch. Such commendation could only belong to someone who is the inheritor of all things, and to whom is given “All authority and power in Heaven and Earth.” Did you ever consider therefore, that when you do see him, you would love him, and you would want to honor him above all else? He is the best of us, the very best of Mankind, after all. One more thing you need to consider about Jesus: It says that ultimately, God is Love. Jesus is the best proof of that Love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting Life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him should be saved.” Jesus even said of himself, “If you have seen me, you have already seen the Father.” What is left? You must consider your own life now, for when you look at Jesus, that is really what you are doing. Your life: All that you have, and all that you are, as well as all that you have done, both good and bad. You life is in that comparison to Jesus, isn’t it. How does it compare? None of us measure up to him when we consider our lives, do we? Not even the very best of us. Instead, you might also consider what your life would be like if Jesus were living in it, for then your life would be something far better and something far beyond what you have either known or imagined. How? Just ask him. Call on his Name. Ask him to come into your life. Read his word and look to do the simple things he commands. A great place to start would be the Gospel of John. When you have considered Jesus, an appropriate response for some people would be to sell all that they have and give it to the poor, and then follow such a man as Jesus. Others might beat their breasts, considering themselves unworthy of such overwhelming love and forgiveness which he so freely offers. But all they have to do is call on his Name, and it is all theirs: Acceptance, peace, forgiveness, power to face life, -- and unconditional Love. Yes, it is all unearned, and undeserved, but it is freely given to anyone. It is theirs forever, if they but ask. Others, considering Jesus, simply believe in him, and then they place all their hope and trust in him for their life, and for their future. Where do you place your hope and trust, by the way? Consider one last thing about Jesus. He said, “Come unto me. all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls." Jesus? He is the one who left all to come here – for you. He knows you. He calls you by your name. He created you. He loves you beyond the love that anyone has ever had for you. And he wishes to share all things with you. Amazing! So, consider Jesus, my friend, while you are in need, and while you can admit it, and while there is still time to do something about it. He is much more than you ever imagined, and he is here with you right now. He stands at the door of your life, knocking. Go answer him. You will be eternally glad you did. roger@borngraphics.com A FAR BETTER WRITING SITE |