JESUS MAN OR SPIRIT

Two thousand years ago a man set foot on our planet who claimed to be from a place beyond space and time.

Although he had no credentials or political backing, his life and words changed our world. His name is Jesus Christ.

While most great people simply fade into history books, Jesus of Nazareth is still the focus of thousands of publications, documentaries and media controversy.

Two billion people today claim to be his followers, yet many still wonder, “Who is the Real Jesus Christ?”

Was Jesus a Real Person?

Although some skeptics have called Jesus a myth, historians acknowledge he was a real person. In fact, nine non-Christian historians and writers mention Jesus within 150 years of his death, the same number who mention the contemporary Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar.

In addition to that, over five thousand eight hundred New Testament manuscripts tell us about Jesus’ life and words. That’s far more than for any other person in ancient history.New Testament scholar, John A. T. Robinson concludes that the New Testament was originally written while eyewitnesses of Jesus would still have been alive.

Regarding the reliability of the accounts about Jesus he states, “The wealth of manuscripts, and above all the narrow interval of time between the writing and the earliest extant copies, make it by far the best attested text of any ancient writing in the world.”

So, who was this man, Jesus Christ, and why was so much written about him?

Of all the world’s great men, Jesus has been considered the supreme example of moral perfection in both his character and his teaching.

Jesus obeyed all of God’s commandments. And he selflessly demonstrated love and compassion to the needy.

Historian Will Durant said of Jesus that “he lived and struggled unremittingly for ‘equal rights.’

Martin Luther King said of Jesus: “He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.”

And renowned French philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, wrote: “When Plato describes his imaginary righteous man . . . he describes exactly the character of Christ. . .. .

Jesus’ impeccable moral character was reflected in his teaching. Whereas most moral teachers spoke of rules to live by, Jesus taught that our priority should be to love God and others above ourselves. A trait he continually demonstrated.

Was Jesus a World-Changing Leader?

Historian Philip Schaff summarizes the impact of Jesus’ life and words: “Jesus of Nazareth…shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since.…”

In just three years of active ministry, Jesus changed the world for the next 20 centuries. Other moral and religious leaders have left an impact—but nothing like that humble carpenter from Nazareth.

For example:

* Human rights have been founded upon Jesus’ teaching.

* His words led to equal rights of women and minorities.

* Slavery in Europe and America were abolished by Jesus’ followers.

* Major universities such as Harvard, Yale and Oxford—were founded to proclaim his teaching.

* Jesus’ compassionate words inspired countless charities and hospitals.

Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan writes, “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. … It is from his birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by his name that millions curse and in his name that millions pray.”

Non-Christian historian H. G. Wells agrees. When asked who has left the greatest legacy on history, he replied, “By this test Jesus stands first.”