The Magnificence of Jesus Christ
What are we to make of Jesus Christ? It seems to me that people don't take this question very seriously these days. After all, they say, we live in the twenty-first century. Jesus Christ lived a couple of thousand years ago. Surely, we've advanced beyond Him.
This, of course, does not really make sense. No other figure in history has so profoundly influenced our culture as Jesus Christ. More books have been written about Him than about any other. He has furnished the theme for more songs than any other. Quotes from Jesus Christ have become common knowledge. The principles He taught have influenced the constitution and laws of many lands. We date all the events of history from His birth.
Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is the most underestimated, undervalued figure in history. To many, Jesus Christ is merely a profane interjection-a name to say when you hammer your thumb or when you're shocked by unexpected news. To some, Jesus is a myth. He never lived, they say, ignoring the testimony of the Scriptures, history, and common sense. To many, Jesus is simply an excuse for merrymaking at Christmas time. "Who can't use another holiday?" they reason.
To many, Jesus Christ is the man whose portrait hangs on the living room wall. To those who hold to the liberation theology, Jesus was a revolutionary with fire in His eyes. To those of the counter-culture, Jesus was the first anti-establishment rebel. To some, He is a baby in a manger, or a corpse on a cross.
Perhaps to most, Jesus is a good man, a great teacher on the order of Buddha or Confucius or perhaps even greater, but surely only a man.
These visions of Jesus all have one thing in common: they are too small! The magnificence of Jesus Christ outshines these popular notions like the noonday sun overwhelms a nearly dead flashlight. Somehow the human race has forgotten who Jesus Christ really is. I'd like to share the true story with you as it is recorded in the Bible.
But one caution first. As we attempt to examine the character of Jesus Christ, we face a problem. He is simply beyond us. As the noonday sun overwhelms our unprotected eyes, so the magnificence of Jesus Christ overwhelms our puny intellects. We may look at Jesus, we may see His flashing brilliance, we may even fall awestruck at His feet, but as for comprehending Him, that will have to wait. In eternity, when God enlarges our minds, we will much more fully grasp His majesty. But for now we mu
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