It was a standing-room...
Illustration
It was a standing-room-only crowd where I preached a few years ago in Hollywood. A
well-dressed young man strode forward making an extraordinary claim. We first met him
the evening before as he chatted and drank coffee at a church social.
None of us knew that this man had petitioned a court of law to change his name. The judge denied his request. Nonetheless, this man now stood before our group saying that he was Jesus Christ, the Second. Later we wondered whether he hoped to achieve fame in Hollywood by capitalizing on a celebrated religious name. Who's to say it wouldn't work? Madonna had succeeded.
Consider what Jesus said about himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the father except by me." Put that assertion in the mouth of anyone, and it leaves you with three options.
First, you might think him an escapee from a mental institution. Second, as we did with our Hollywood visitor, you might suppose that he was trying to attain fame. Your third choice: investigate to see if the person is genuine.
Jesus legitimized his claim. His death for others and resurrection added powerful affirmation. Rarely does a person profess that he is God's only Son. Mohammed didn't. Confucius never said he was. Buddha sought the truth. But Jesus is the truth, and he will raise believers to life. As in Adam all die, so in Christ, all will be made alive.
None of us knew that this man had petitioned a court of law to change his name. The judge denied his request. Nonetheless, this man now stood before our group saying that he was Jesus Christ, the Second. Later we wondered whether he hoped to achieve fame in Hollywood by capitalizing on a celebrated religious name. Who's to say it wouldn't work? Madonna had succeeded.
Consider what Jesus said about himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the father except by me." Put that assertion in the mouth of anyone, and it leaves you with three options.
First, you might think him an escapee from a mental institution. Second, as we did with our Hollywood visitor, you might suppose that he was trying to attain fame. Your third choice: investigate to see if the person is genuine.
Jesus legitimized his claim. His death for others and resurrection added powerful affirmation. Rarely does a person profess that he is God's only Son. Mohammed didn't. Confucius never said he was. Buddha sought the truth. But Jesus is the truth, and he will raise believers to life. As in Adam all die, so in Christ, all will be made alive.
