The Impact of Jesus

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”  (Revelation 1:17-18)
 
There has never been anyone who has made a greater impact on history and on our world than Jesus Christ! Jesus is the book ends to all of history. He said, “I am the First and the Last.” (Revelation 1:17). From the beginning of history to the present day, Jesus has had a tremendous influence on all of humanity; and He will no doubt continue to do so for all of eternity.

Think about it for a minute. Could you name anyone else (dead or alive) who has had the same lasting effect as Jesus? In His resurrection alone, He separated Himself from every other religious leader who ever walked the earth. Mohammed has a grave. Buddha has a grave. Confucius has a grave. All of those graves are occupied, but the grave Jesus was buried in is empty! It was borrowed for just a couple of days. On the third day when He walked out of that tomb, He became the resurrected Savior who conquered death forever.
 
Jesus didn’t just impact the world at the macro level; He affects the lives of His followers on a micro level every single day. He answers prayers. He gives us peace. He fills us with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. He meets our needs. He intercedes on our behalf when we can’t muster up the words on our own. We serve a God who is all-powerful and personal, at the same time. Let’s not forget these important truths as we continue to walk with Him each day.

How has the Lord impacted you this week? This month? This year? In your lifetime? I encourage you to take the time to think about how Jesus has impacted your life; and write down your answers to those questions. It is always good to be reminded how Christ has affected your life. Make it a point to record those events so you will never forget His faithfulness.