Why is Jesus So Important?Why are Christians intrigued by a lone historical figure from the distant past? This question is particularly pressing when you consider that His life didn't seem destined for greatness. He was born into poverty, living in an obscure village. He didn't go to high school or college. He never visited a large city. In fact, He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He was only 33 years old when the tide of public opinion turned against Him, prompting even His closest friends to abandon Him. He was then turned over to His enemies and was nailed to a wooden cross between two criminals. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth. After He died, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of an acquaintance. Yet almost two thousand years have come and gone, and today He is arguably the central figure of the entire human race. Why? It begins with His life. Why His Life Matters Second, His life matters because of how He lived. As God in human form, He lived a perfect life and gave us the best picture of how life ought to be lived. Finally, His life matters because of what He taught. Christians sense within the teachings of Jesus an authority and truth that isn't found anywhere else. Why His Death Matters Why His Resurrection Matters
Used by permission of James Emery White, and adapted from his book A Search for the Spiritual (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998). To purchase a copy of this book, Click Here |
