One Solitary Life

In a small corner of the Roman Empire a child was born of humble parents, who grew up in near poverty. In early manhood. He was a carpenter, and then—for only three years—went about preaching a message in His own country. His sole wordly possessions were his clothes; He left nothing in writing; and He suffered finally a humiliating death at thirty-three years, on a vague charge of treason.

Yet more books have been written about Him than about any other person, and countless millions from every land have followed, ready to lay down their lives in martyrdom. He has had a transforming Impact on every phase of civilisation and human enterprise.

What is it then, about this person Jesus, and what He said, that He had so dynamic an impact? It can hardly be a call to live a better life, as so many people assert, nor even that He has given mankind the highest ethical system ever known. It goes far deeper to the mystery of His person. Here was not one who Just went about preaching the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men and who was in all other aspects an ordinary person. Here was one who was considered too dynamic to be safe: although His shattering personality has since been heavily watered down in popular misconception. Largely last too, is the fire that so possessed the early church, that against terrible persecution frequently leading to martyrdom, it" was able to establish the new way of life far and wide.

Here was one who spoke as "never man spoke before"', and who lived as never man lived before. Here was one who manifestly lived on a higher plane of existence, as shown outwardly in His amazing control over nature, and morally perfect life.

He said He had come as mankind's representative to free man from the terrible disease of sin. The prime cause of all man's troubles—and this was only to come by trusting in His powers and work of redemption; He also said He would be coming again as the judge and ruler of all mankind! But couldn't He have been a deluded fanatic or blasphemer? Both are unthinkable in view of His life which even His bitterest enemies had to declare faultless. The charge of delusion Is further weakened by the fact of His triumphs at every turn in battles over the Jewish law and his complete command of every situation Including trial and execution. But His resurrection was the great proof of His claims—and this is one of the best attested facts of history.

Furthermore, the whole life and purpose in coming of this person, has been foretold centuries before, in prophecies which go into detail about His birth, preaching, trial, crucifixion and resurrection—all of them exactly fulfilled.

All these things had led the disciples to the inexorab conclusion that He was God revealed in human form as Ho claimed, and one can only conclude with Pilate's momentous question—"What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?"

—Evangelical.