What Makes Jesus So Important

In some ways, a law like that wouldn't be a bad idea. It would at least force us to go back and read the Gospels and Epistles again "for the first time," and come face to face with the Person who is portrayed there. Seeing him free from the distortions and limitations with which our minds inevitably clothe him, we would be amazed -- we might even be shocked -- at what we saw.

Who Is Right?

You notice the limitation when you read books about Jesus. Almost everyone gives you something less than the "whole" Jesus. You often learn more about the person who writes the "life of Jesus" than you do about Jesus himself.

A man with socialist leanings writes a book about Jesus and Jesus emerges as the great champion of the underprivileged.

An advertising executive writes a life of Jesus and Jesus emerges as one who is particularly clever in his use of advertising principles.

A humanist writes a book about Jesus and Jesus emerges as a great teacher, humanitarian, and friend.

Which picture is right? Is he "gentle Jesus, meek and mild," and at the same time a fiery denouncer who can use very harsh language and condemn the Pharisees? Is he a vague mystic concerned only with "spiritual things" and at the same time a person who can urge us to pray for such crassly material things as our daily bread?

No comments: