A New Man

Who is your hero? You're too old for heroes, you say? Let me ask it this way, then. Who do you admire? What has that person done that makes him/her a model for you? Hold that thought.

Jesus came into a world where the 'model man' was of Greek construct. About three centuries before Jesus Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem, the Greek language had been introduced to that part of the world by Alexander, who even today is given the title - 'the great.' With the Greek language and armies came the culture. The philosophy and culture of the Greeks were admired, even by the Romans who, at the time of the birth of Christ, held the political power from Spain to India . Alexander, the Great, was an incredibly powerful leader whose armies conquered empires and nations. He left wide swaths of death and destruction wherever he went. His glory came from the buckets of blood he spilled. His legacy was sorrow and division. At his death, the huge empire he built in just a few years' time split into factions, led by the generals he had kept in subservience during his life. Never the less, at the time of Jesus' birth, Alexander was considered a man of glory, a measure for all men.

Alexander was not the first nor the last man of violence whose battlefield victories won acclaim. Even today, men of war win notice. Watch the History Channel. Who and what is recognized as history's laudable persons and events? Generals, kings, and tyrants and their wars of conquest are the marks by which we measure history. More often than not, the warrior's exploits that we remember are soon erased as new orders arise and new wars are fought by men and nations trying to ascend to the heights of influence. Those who bled and died for the ambitions of another are soon forgotten, even as the tyrants are immortalized.

Few seem to recognize that the Man of greatest influence, whose life and teaching still hold sway in the world after two thousand years was never a general, never won a battle, and never held a sword. Tragically many wars have been waged in His Name. Men and women have claimed the right to rule, sometimes in despicable manner, by His authority. Yet, He was and is the "Prince of Peace."

When He stood before a minor politico in a mock trial, He was asked, "Are you a King?" Pilate could not comprehend Jesus' answer! “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.
In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:36-37, NIV)

The King of Truth - He came not for earthly glory, nor to gain power for Himself or a nation, but to restore us to God, our Father and Creator.

Make Him your hero, your model! Throw away the need for conquest. Refuse the craving for power. When Self clamors to have its way, look to Jesus; "on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven." (Hebrews 12:2, NLT)
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A Solitary life

Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty.
Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.

This Man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book.
He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home.
He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace.
And though he never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.

While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him.
His followers ran away.
He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth--the simple coat He had worn.
His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.

But three days later this Man arose from the dead--living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history in two eras.
One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him.
And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection.
On church steeples around the world His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.

This one Man's life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.

All the armies that ever marched,
all the navies that ever sailed,
all the governments that ever sat,
all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this
One Solitary Life. -- James Francis


Jerry D. Scott
www.WashingtonAG.com