It’s blossom time!

JESUS IS THE GREATEST!!

By George Jesze, 20^th May 2022

There always were, and always will be people who claim to be “THE GREATEST”. At the height of their fame The Beatles declared that they were more popular than Jesus! They further said that in a short time Jesus Christ would be completely forgotten and the Bible would hold no more influence today. The Beatles made a great mistake, for their pop-group was dissolved and their popularity is just a memory.

Then there was Cassius Clay, the boxer, who declared: “I am the GREATEST!” Later, he was out of the running, a sick man and his victories in the ring were also nothing but a memory. But there is one who was and still is THE GREATEST – JESUS CHRIST!

1. 
   

   HE IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE HE IS THE CREATOR!

   In John 1:3 we read: “All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made.” Although his creation has often forgotten and ignored him, it does not alter the fact that he is the CREATOR.

2. 
   

   JESUS IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BORN OF A VIRGIN.

   Many people, even Bishops, disbelieve this fundamental truth of the Christian Faith. If Jesus had been ‘fathered’ by a man, he would not be the Son of God, or be able to become the Redeemer of Mankind. Jesus must be greater than us because we are only created beings and he is the Creator, far greater than we could ever imagine him to be. He can never be understood by our earthly wisdom.

   Why should it be difficult to believe that the Holy Spirit could put the divine Seed of Jesus into Mary’s womb? He does the same thing every time a person becomes a Christian. Millions of people throughout the centuries have had the life of Jesus planted in their dead spirits, giving them the NEW BIRTH! We are born “of the Spirit” into the family and Kingdom of God (John 3:5+6).

3. 
   

   JESUS IS THE GREATEST BY HIS LIFE.

   He never sinned, even in word. No fault could be found in him. There was never another life like Jesus’ life. He stands far above all the deities of every cult. If he had sinned only once, God would never have accepted his sacrifice for our sin on the cross.

4. 
   

   JESUS IS THE GREATEST BY HIS CRUCIFIXION!

   He gave his life voluntarily, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep. He was not a martyr who died for a good cause and had no other choice. It was love for us that nailed him to the cross. He died to set us free from the rule and power of Satan and sin. Jesus’ life and death were not just an EXAMPLE, he was our SUBSTITUTE. It was as though we were crucified there with him, but his was the pain and ours is the blessing! The Son of God who knew no sin became sin for us! The rocks were torn asunder and Nature revolted, the sun was darkened at this terrifying spectacle. No wonder Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?!” Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.

   Jesus’ body was so wounded, beaten and whipped that his back became like a furrowed field. He would probably have received 39 lashes with the scourge. I read that there are 39 main types of diseases – one lash for each of these! “…by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). If Jesus was willing to take this terrible torture on himself, then we should no longer doubt his willingness to heal our body. Redemption includes not only deliverance from and forgiveness for sin, but also healing for our mind and body.

5. 
   

   JESUS IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!

   When Jesus cried out “It is finished!”, that was not the end of all he was about to do in the act of Redemption. Three days and three nights his body laid in the tomb, but his spirit went and “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19). Those who believed on him as the Messiah, also rose with him at his resurrection.

   Jesus took the prince of captivity – Satan – captive, took back from him the keys of Death and Hell, robbing him of his power, and emerged in triumph! Too long have we allowed the devil to reign over us, quoting verses like Romans 8:28, believing that everything that comes our way must be from God and his Will. We are living in enemy territory, and while some of the trials we experience may be God moulding and shaping us, yet others are a direct attack from Satan. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you…” (James 4:7). Why resist if everything is according to the Will of God? May the Lord give us discernment and clarity through his Word in each situation, and wisdom how to handle it. Let’s come out of false humility and take our place at Jesus’ side, seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

6. 
   

   JESUS IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE HE IS COMING AGAIN!

   Only a Jesus who is resurrected, can come again! What a day that will be! We do not know the day or the hour, so let us be ready, and faithfully work and proclaim the message of Salvation, bringing glory to the Name of Jesus! Let us proclaim the WHOLE JESUS to the world – Saviour from sin, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, Healer and the One who is coming again to take his People home.

SO LET’S PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE OF OUR JESUS WHO IS THE GREATEST – SO MANY ARE WAITING TO HEAR THIS GOOD NEWS!!