His Importance

His Importance

I believe it was Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society who wrote about Jesus saying,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
Many have tried to dismiss Jesus. Some have said he is nothing more than a myth, but myths don’t effect history appreciably.
All the mythical Roman and Greek god’s were superheros of a kind, and they had little effect on civilization. They certainly don’t effect society in the twenty-first century.
Even the emperors of Rome did not have the same effect on history as this humble carpenter from a back water village in a back water province of the Roman emperor.
More evidence exists today from ancient writings about Jesus than about all the Roman emperors.
Historians and archeologist tell us that little of anything survives from the time of Jesus. Yet much survives about this humble man.
Jesus unlike the caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others who conquered the world by force, never drew a sword in anger.
He never lead triumphant armies or conquered any lands.
Instead Jesus a man of peace today leads a following estimated at two point two billion.
A man once approached Jesus and asked,
“”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                           Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus was a man of peace. This Jesus rather than calling his followers to destroy their enemies said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? “ 
Matthew 5:43-46.
In instilling in his followers the need to show unconditional love to all mankind the teachings of Jesus have reached around the world.
The caesars of Rome, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and others are dead in their grave, for the most part forgotten. Few even knowing what they ever said.
Yet this man who never led a conquering army or ruled a nation today is the head of a following that exceeds two billion people.
A following that is showing love to the world.
His call to all mankind,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                     Matthew 11:28-30 
Think about it.