Someone correctly penned of Jesus:
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. Until he was thirty, he worked in a carpenter’s shop, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He wrote no books, held no office, never owned a home, never was in a big city, and never traveled more than two-hundred miles. The authorities condemned his teachings; his friends deserted him. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he owned—his coat. When he was dead, he was buried in a borrowed tomb. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, yet today he is the crowning glory of the human race, the adored leader of millions of the earth’s inhabitants. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the rulers that ever reigned have not affected the life of a man upon this earth as profoundly as has that One Solitary Man!
To the above we must reply Amen! However, it is logical to ask, why do millions follow Him? What makes Jesus so magnificent? Why is He so worthy of our devotion and dedication? Consider:
His mission makes Him worthy of our devotion. After creating mankind, God warned that man would be destroyed if he disobeyed God’s law (Genesis 2:16-17). Of course, man defiantly missed the mark of God’s law, and thus separation from God occurred (Isaiah 59:1-2). God’s justice demanded the penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), but His grace and mercy provided a means for reconciliation back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18, 21; Ephesians 4:2-10). Therefore, at the birth of Jesus, the Bible declares His mission, “…save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)! Now because of that mission, “…the love of Christ constraineth us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14)! What a mission!
His ministry makes Him worthy of our devotion. At the age of thirty, Jesus left Nazareth to begin ministering and serving humanity. Ministry for Jesus was not about being served but rather serving (Matthew 20:28). He served the helpless (Mark 1:40-45); He served the hurting (Mark 5:22-43), and He even served the horrible (John 13, washed Judas’ feet). Thankfully, His service did not end with His life, but even by His death, especially in His death, Jesus served all the world the greatest plan and the greatest pardon ever known (John 3:16)!
His mediation makes Him worthy of our devotion. For most “servants,” death causes servitude to cease, but not so with Jesus! He ever lives to make intercession for His followers (Hebrews 7:25). His mediation is singular (1 Timothy 2:5-6), no one can be a “go between” for humanity, except the God-man! His mediation is superior (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24), and His mediation is to be shared (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Little wonder why this one solitary life has influenced so many! When I consider that Jesus’ life was given for me, I am moved to commit my soul, my life and my all to Him! He is certainly worthy!
