There is None Like Him: Jesus Christ
Mark Roberts
Assemble a list of the world’s greatest and most
influential people and an amazing and daunting list of
heroes, scientists, philosophers, generals and more
emerges. Socrates. Alexander the Great. Jonas Salk.
Albert Einstein. George Washington. Plato. Gutenberg.
Martin Luther. Moses.
One name dwarfs them all. Utter this name and the
contest ends without question, and ends immediately:
Jesus Christ. From His obscure
birth to ordinary peasants He has
dominated the world stage since He
set foot upon it. Jesus Christ is the
central figure of all human history,
and He did it all without ever writing a
book, receiving a formal education,
commanding an army, inventing a
new gadget, running a business or
making any money, holding any kind
of political office or exploring any
undiscovered regions. In short, all
the means to human fame and glory
were of no use to Him yet He achieved
limitless fame beyond anything anyone could have
ever imagined. Nearly twenty centuries since He
walked and taught in the foothills of Galilee His name
is still known everywhere across the globe, His symbol
seen constantly, and those who claim to follow Him are
legion. Again, without doubt, and from any measure
possible, Jesus Christ is the greatest figure in history.
Let’s stop and think a minute about how this came to be.
He uttered the most important words ever.
Jesus’ teachings are so powerful that they have slipped
into even the common man’s language. For example,
most everyone knows who “the Good Samaritan” is or
can quote “Judge not that be ye not judged.” The Lord’s
Prayer and the Golden Rule are just as universally
recognized. All of this comes from the mouth of the
Savior. However, let us be clear: it is not just that Jesus
said profound and wise things. Others have uttered
famous words. Churchill’s speeches during WWII kept
a nation going through terrible times. Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address continues to impress all who read
its simple lines. Plato’s dialogues are still studied. For
certain, others have said profound and wise things but
no one has ever said what Jesus said about spiritual
things. Jesus didn’t talk politics, military tactics or
discuss how to succeed in business. He didn’t even
really talk about how to have a good life here on this
earth, though the “abundant life” (John 10:10) is a
benefit of being His disciple. Primarily, Jesus talked
about spiritual realties. He talked
about God, how we may call Him
Father (Matt 7:7ff), and how to live
so as to please the Father (Matt
5:1ff). He talked of sin and forgiveness
(Luke 13:3; John 8:21), eternity
and judgment (Matt 25:46),
and yes, even the devil (John 8:44).
He made clear His mission (Mark
10:45; John 9:4) that as His followers
we might know ours as well
(Matt 10:24-25). Jesus’ words are
the most important ever because
they dealt with the most important facet of our being
and life: our Creator and our eternal destiny before
Him.
He did the most important work ever. Immediately
one thinks of Jesus’ miracles. Without question,
Jesus’ miracles are astounding and important. The
signs He did, from healing the blind (Mark 10:47-48) to
raising the dead (John 11:43-44) to casting out demons
(Matt 4:24) all certified Him as the Messiah because He
did the works the Messiah would do (Matt 12:23; Luke
4:17-21). Yet others in the Bible did miracles. Moses,
as the instrument of the Lord, brought destruction on
Egypt and drowned her army. Elijah did wonders that
still leave us amazed. Paul and Peter did signs as well.
Thus, if miracles were the criteria others would qualify.
The really important work Jesus did is discussed in
John 12:32: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all peoples to Myself.” Jesus did what no one else
could have ever done: He gave His life for the sins of the
world. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many” (Mark 10:45). Just like Jesus’ words, this is head
and shoulders above anything that anyone might submit
as “best” for this class. Curing cancer, polio, leprosy and
every other known and unknown disease still wouldn’t
top this, for the Great Physician heals our souls. Ending
poverty and homelessness once and for all wouldn’t top
what Jesus did, because He ended spiritual bankruptcy
and offers us an eternal home. Defeating every evil
army ever assembled is a minor achievement when
compared to Jesus. He defeated the source of all evil,
the devil, for all time. No one else could do what He did,
and we almost cannot imagine that God would do what
He did. But at Calvary the incredible became real: Deity
died that we might live.
He promised the greatest promises ever. Great
words and great deeds come together in John 14. “Let
not your heart be troubled . . . In My Father’s house are
many dwelling places . . . I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself” (vv. 1-3). What promises!
Because Jesus knew that He would rise again and not
remain dead He could speak to His future and ours as
well. Notice what He promises. “Let not your heart be
troubled” speaks to contentment and banishes anxiety
and worry. In Jesus we have a calm in the center of our
souls that can come from nowhere else. Jesus promises
us that we do not have to fret about our future.
Why? Because “in My Father’s house are many dwelling
places.” Jesus promises us eternal life, a home with
Him and the Father in heaven for all time! What a
promise! Finally Jesus promises “I will come again.”
This is the promise of His return. At the right time, at a
time no man knows, He will come again and take us
home to be with Him forever. Of course, many people
have made promises, and some of those promises have
been important, historical and even great. Yet, no one
has ever lived the life Jesus lived so no one could ever
promise what Jesus could. No one has done what He
did so no one could give what He gave. No one’s
promises have ever been, or ever will be, as great as
Jesus’ are.
It has been well said that “all the armies that ever
marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments
that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put
together, have not effected the life of man on this earth
as much as that One Solitary Life.” Let us praise Him
and joyfully serve Him, the great King of Kings and Lord
of Lords!