In 2013, TIME Magazine ranked Jesus as the most significant person in history, followed by Napoleon in second place. The way they ranked significance was by starting with the assumption that, quote, “historically significant figures leave statistical evidence of their presence behind, if one knows where to look for it,” end quote. One such record that has left “statistical evidence” of Jesus’s presence, and is worthy of investigation, is the Bible itself. More specifically, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
If you were to read the Gospels (or the biographies of Jesus), you would quickly learn that Jesus was a great teacher. He taught truths that were counter-cultural, revolutionary truths that had the power to help societies and relationships flourish and prosper. You would also discover that Jesus performed many miracles: he fed thousands, he exercised power over nature, he healed the sick, he raised people from the dead, he even forgave sins. Being a revolutionary teacher and a miracle worker would have been enough for Jesus to be considered the most significant person in history, but that’s not all the Gospels have to say about him.
Perhaps the most controversial and startling claim of the Gospels is that Jesus is God. One example of this claim can be found in the Gospel of John where Jesus says to the religious leaders of his day that he and the Father are one. Now at first glance, this may not sound like Jesus is claiming to be God, but the response of the religious leaders quickly removes any doubt as to what Jesus was implying. The religious leaders respond by picking up stones to kill him. The reason they wanted to kill Jesus was not merely because he was a great teacher or miracle worker. According to the Gospel writer John, they wanted to kill Jesus “for blasphemy, because you (Jesus), a mere man, claim to be God.”
Jesus was a great teacher; the best there ever was. He performed miracles the likes of which the world had never seen. He even rose again from the dead after three days. However, these truths about Jesus are not to be seen in isolation, but as evidence to prove that he was who he said he was and that he was in fact, God.
Perhaps you would like to read the Gospel of John and see for yourself the staggering claims Jesus makes about Himself and the miracles he performed to back up his claims.