May-June 2013- 15
Why is Jesus so famous?
While Napoleon was imprisoned on St. Helena, he said,
“ Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself have founded great empires, but on what did those creations of our genius rest? Upon force. But Jesus founded his on love. This very day millions would die for him. I have inspired multitudes with enthusiastic devotion: they would die for me. But to do it, I had to be present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them I lit up the flame of devotion in their hearts. But Jesus Christ by some mysterious influence, even through the lapse of eighteen centuries, so draws the hearts of men towards him that thousands at a word would rush though fire and flood for him, not counting their lives dear to themselves.”
Jesus is the most influential person who ever lived or is alive now. In 1961 the Beatles, who were the most popular rock group in history, claimed that they were more famous than Jesus Christ. But in 1962 George Harrison joined … and sang the song“ My sweet Lord” in 1966.
Muhammad also has had a profound influence, but his lifestyle was completely different from that of Jesus. Muhammad’ s teaching was militaristic from its early days. Muhammad taught that violence was wrong except for self-defense and for the cause of Islam.
Although many Muslim people today are peace-loving, Islam has always been, and in many parts of the world remains, a religion of force. Unfortunately, even some people who called themselves Christians, for instance the Crusaders, have killed people“ in the name of Jesus”. But Jesus was never like that. His real followers follow him because of His love. Jesus died for everyone because He loves everyone. And how can a‘ follower of Jesus’ kill people‘ in the name of Jesus’?
1 John 4:8: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us. God made us in His image, and therefore we are naturally attracted to love.
Jesus is so famous and influential because of His love.
Sources: The Bible,‘ But Don’ t All Religions Lead To God?’ by Michael Green, and World Book 2007. All Bible verses are NIV, see page 2 for copyright notice.