Most Important of All Time

About a week and a half ago, we celebrated Easter. Many people celebrated it by decorating Easter Eggs and looking forward to the gift of Easter Baskets filled with toys and candy.

Christians, while maybe doing the same thing, celebrated the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is simply amazing. From all standpoints, especially the idea that He would die for me and then come back to life.

However, there is another amazing point. He is absolutely the most important figure in all of history.

Think about it...

Two of the biggest holidays are Christmas and Easter which highlight His birth and His resurrection.

History is divided into two parts: before His birth and after His birth. Formerly this was known as B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini – The Year of Our Lord). Over the years our culture and scholars have moved to a less Christian expression using B.C.E (before common era) and C.E. (common era).

But the dividing line is still in the same place – around the time of His birth.

One could argue Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most talked-about, debated, questioned, loved, and hated person in all of history.

The question of who He was, and is, has been expressed in books and film documentaries for years. C.S. Lewis, among others, has wrestled with the Biblical account of Jesus and come to the conclusion that He is the Messiah, the Son of God – exactly who He said He was in the Bible.

Archaeology and history have proven there was a man named Jesus of Nazareth who did exist. People of other religions and philosophies believe that He existed and was nothing more than a great teacher. The problem with that line of thinking is the fact that He taught that He was the Messiah – God in flesh – who would die on the cross and rise from the dead to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.

How could you claim He was a great teacher, but disregard what He taught about the most? His identity and the kingdom of God. He was, and is, way more than just a good, moralist teacher.

Lewis has described this debate about Jesus' identity as either: Jesus lied and shouldn't be followed, or that Jesus is a whacko and shouldn't be followed, or that Jesus is telling the truth and He is Lord.

The Bible tells the tale. But you still have to decide for yourself who Jesus is. Not because He is whatever you think He is or should be, but because He loves you enough to let you decide for yourself. Which I think is CRAZY! He lets us decide...

In Matthew chapter 16 verses 13 through 16, Jesus brings this same conversation up with His disciples:

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””

People will have all kinds of theories and opinions about who Jesus is, but the truth is He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He is who we celebrate on Easter. He is the MOST IMPORTANT figure in all of history – past, present, and future.

Who do you say He is?

Anyway, I was just thinking...