The Difference Maker
“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” – Napoleon
Where do we get our understanding of who Jesus is? Culture, media, society, tradition, and so on should not be what forms our understanding of Jesus. The word of God should be what we stand on.
Jesus didn’t come to be just a good teacher or just a good leader. He is the resurrection and the life. He is the bread of life. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the cornerstone of the church. He is the I Am. HE IS! His legacy is stunning. Think of the difference that Christ made while walking this earth.
Jesus made a huge difference to the lives of children. He brought value to kids in a culture that devalued them. He brought value to kids born in difficult situations because He was one of them. He became the example of adoption. Joseph adopted Jesus to be His earthly father and through Jesus we are able to become children of God, adopted into His family, with His Spirit crying out through us “Abba, Father!”
Jesus made a huge difference in the lives of women. He gave honor and dignity to women who received no honor and dignity. He talked to the samaritan woman. He healed a widows son. He healed various women including one who pushed through the crowd to touch the hem of his garment. He stopped a woman from being stoned. He allowed women to be taught. He let a woman anoint him. He gave women a place at the table. The resurrection message began with women.
Jesus made a huge difference in the lives of slaves. He took the very nature of a servant, a slave. His lifestyle challenged the disciples and apostles in a way that they would begin teaching against slave trade. In his letter to Timothy, Paul put slave traders in the category with rebels, the ungodly, the unholy, and murderers. Philemon was encouraged to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother.
Jesus is without equal. He never wrote a book but the library of Congress holds 17,000 books about him. He never ran for political office but more people have chosen Him to be their leader than anyone else. He wasn’t formally educated but has more students than any teacher who has ever lived. He’s not an artist but more artwork has been commissioned on his behalf. The difference He has made in history is staggering.
Jesus made an impact in history, but has he made an impact in your history? Maybe you’ve experienced His love, salvation, forgiveness, healing, restoration, encouragement, empowering, His transformation. Jesus is about changing history, and He’s about changing your story. So what’s your story? How has Jesus been the difference maker in your life? How has He impacted your story? Would you like for Him to be that difference maker?
