Jesus’ Credentials (3 of 4)
Series: The Man Who Won’t Go Away
Scott Maze
Luke 3:21-38
1We continue a series entitled, The Man Who Won't Go Away, this morning. Normally when someone dies, their impact on the world immediately begins to recede. Over the past few days, Baltimore Oriole manager, Earl Weaver died. As did advice columnist ''Dear Abby.'' If someone's legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. Think about the tragic death of Heath Ledger, the actor who played the Joker in the movie, The Dark Knight. His influence has decreased since his death, rather than rise. Yet, Jesus inverted this normal human trajectory. Jesus' impact was greater a hundred years after his death than during his life. It was greater still after five hundred years. After a thousand years his legacy laid the foundation for much of Europe. After two thousand years He has more followers in more places than ever. Again, if someone's legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. On the day when Alexander the Great or Caesar Augustus or Napoleon or Socrates or Mohammed died, their reputations were immense. When Jesus died, his tiny failed movement appeared clearly at an end.Nevertheless, Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote: ''Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western Culture for almost twenty centuries. If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of the history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his name, how much would be left?'' The empire of Rome, where Jesus was born and was murdered, long ago crumbled to ruins. Yet, the number of people who swear allegiance to Jesus and call him Lord has grown through the centuries. This one solitary life has done more to inspire hope and love in our world than anyone.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been ...
Series: The Man Who Won’t Go Away
Scott Maze
Luke 3:21-38
1We continue a series entitled, The Man Who Won't Go Away, this morning. Normally when someone dies, their impact on the world immediately begins to recede. Over the past few days, Baltimore Oriole manager, Earl Weaver died. As did advice columnist ''Dear Abby.'' If someone's legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. Think about the tragic death of Heath Ledger, the actor who played the Joker in the movie, The Dark Knight. His influence has decreased since his death, rather than rise. Yet, Jesus inverted this normal human trajectory. Jesus' impact was greater a hundred years after his death than during his life. It was greater still after five hundred years. After a thousand years his legacy laid the foundation for much of Europe. After two thousand years He has more followers in more places than ever. Again, if someone's legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. On the day when Alexander the Great or Caesar Augustus or Napoleon or Socrates or Mohammed died, their reputations were immense. When Jesus died, his tiny failed movement appeared clearly at an end.Nevertheless, Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote: ''Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western Culture for almost twenty centuries. If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of the history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his name, how much would be left?'' The empire of Rome, where Jesus was born and was murdered, long ago crumbled to ruins. Yet, the number of people who swear allegiance to Jesus and call him Lord has grown through the centuries. This one solitary life has done more to inspire hope and love in our world than anyone.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been ...
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