The Greatest Jew That Ever Lived
More than nineteen hundred years ago there
was a Man born contrary to the laws of life. This
Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity.
He did not travel extensively. Only once did He
cross the boundary of the country in which He
lived; that was during His exile in childhood. He
possessed neither wealth nor influence. His
relatives were inconspicuous, and had neither
training nor formal education. In infancy, He
startled a king; in childhood, He puzzled doctors;
in manhood, He ruled the course of nature, walked
upon the billows as if pavements, and hushed the
sea to sleep. He healed the multitudes without
medicine and made no charge for His service.
He never wrote a book, and yet all the
libraries of the country could not hold the books
that have been written about Him. He never wrote
a song, and yet He has furnished the theme for
more songs than all the songwriters combined. He
never founded a college, but all the schools put
together cannot boast of having as many students
as He has now. He never marshalled an army, nor
drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun; and yet no leader
ever had more volunteers who have, under His
orders, made more rebels stack arms and
surrender without a shot fired. He never practised
psychiatry, and yet He has healed more broken
hearts than all the doctors far and near.
Once each week the wheels of commerce
cease their turning and multitudes make their way
to worshipping assemblies to pay homage and
respect to Him.
The names of the past proud statesmen of
Greece and Rome have come and gone. The names
of the past scientists, philosophers, and
theologians have come and gone; but the name of
this Man abounds more and more. Though time
has spread nineteen hundred years between the
people of his generation and the scene of His
crucifixion, yet He still lives. Herod could not
destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him.
He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of
heavenly glory, proclaimed of God, acknowledged
by angels, adored by saints, and feared by devils,
as the living, personal Christ, the Messiah and
Saviour, the Redeemer of Israel. “Therefore let all
the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has
made that same Jesus, both Lord and Christ.”
This blessed Saviour Messiah is the true and
rightful Redeemer. “He was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and
with His stripes we are healed.” Here is God's
appointed sacrifice for sins. “For the life of the
flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon
the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it
the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.”
Long ago God's divine principle was
established that “Without shedding of blood there is
no remission.” Today, God in wondrous love, tells
us, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
from all sin.”
An open invitation is now extended to you.
“Come now, and let us reason together, says the
Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they
shall be as wool.” “Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him
return into the Lord, and He will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for He will abundantly
pardon.”
- Adapted from Norman E. Burgess
December 2018 | www.bymonline.org | page 17