Jesus' Credentials Series

We continue a series entitled, The Man Who Won’t Go Away, this morning. Normally when someone dies, their impact on the world immediately begins to recede. Over the past few days, Baltimore Oriole manager, Earl Weaver died. As did advice columnist “Dear Abby.” If someone’s legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. Think about the tragic death of Heath Ledger, the actor who played the Joker in the movie, The Dark Knight. His influence has decreased since his death, rather than rise. Yet, Jesus inverted this normal human trajectory. Jesus’ impact was greater a hundred years after his death than during his life. It was greater still after five hundred years. After a thousand years his legacy laid the foundation for much of Europe. After two thousand years He has more followers in more places than ever. Again, if someone’s legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. On the day when Alexander the Great or Caesar Augustus or Napoleon or Socrates or Mohammed died, their reputations were immense. When Jesus died, his tiny failed movement appeared clearly at an end. Nevertheless, Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote: “Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western Culture for almost twenty centuries. If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of the history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his name, how much would be left?” The empire of Rome, where Jesus was born and was murdered, long ago crumbled to ruins. Yet, the number of people who swear allegiance to Jesus and call him Lord has grown through the centuries. This one solitary life has done more to inspire hope and love in our world than anyone.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli (He lie), 24 the son of Matthat (Ma thought), the son of Levi, the son of Melchi (Mel chi), the son of Jannai (Ja knee i), the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias (Matt a thigh us), the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli (S lie), the son of Naggai (Nag e i), 26 the son of Maath (Ma oth), the son of Mattathias (Matt a thigh us), the son of Semein (Sa may ein), the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan (Joe ann en), the son of Rhesa (Rhe sa), the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel (Shawl teal el), the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi (Add die), the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam (El madam), the son of Er (Air), 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat (Ma thought), the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim (Eli a kim), 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna (Men na), the son of Mattatha (Ma ta tha), the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala (like Salad with the a), the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan (Canaan), the son of Arphaxadm (ar fax add), the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel (Ma ha e el), the son of Cainan (Canaan), 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. (Luke 3:21-38)

It may not be immediately obvious to you, but Luke is put together this part of his Gospel, in order to answer the question: Who is/was Jesus Christ? Who was He REALLY? For the next few minutes, I want you to think deeply about Jesus Christ. I want you to see the significance of this one Man in ways you haven’t considered before.