by Steve Jeffries

Created on: May 21, 2009

"The Greatest Event Ever!"

In the years of my youth, many would argue which American event was the most signifigant of all-time. Many would name the landing of human life on the moon as a tremendous accomplishment...which it was. Others might point out the assanation of President Kennedy, or the attack on Pearl Harbor as the worst of happenings. Some today might claim both tradgedies may now be eclipsed by the terrorists rampage of 9-11-2001.

Any of these, and several other "snap-shots" in time could qualify by most standards. But on the whole, as a global people, the most important act or deed which has ever occured has to be the death, burial, and ressurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord! At no other time in the history of the world were as many lives touched and changed forever than at the bloodshead on the cross. I would venture to say it will remain that way until the second coming of Christ...

Planned by God the Father before the formation of the earth, Jesus was to be born "the Man of Sorrows." When the time came that the blood of animals was no longer sufficient for the cleansing of sin, Jesus was asked to give Himself up...to be despised and rejected of mankind...and to die a horrific death, even to a death on the cross! This was foretold in Old Testament scripture some 700 years before it occured, in Isaiah chapter 53. Among many beautiful, but melancholy verses of choice, we read in Ish. 53:4-5 "Surely he (Christ) took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God...but he was pierced for our transgressions...crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him."

So great was this episode in the history of our lives that scripture tells us that as Jesus uttered His last words..."Dear Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," the curtain in the temple was torn in two, top to bottom. The earth shook and rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When a centurion attending the crucifixion saw all this, he proclaimed "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matt. 27:51-54).

In perhaps more familiar New Testament scripture, we find "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (Jhn. 3:16). To have someone lay down his life that ALL who believe on Him should have eternal life is an act that surpasses all human understanding, yet we are able to appreciate the act for our salvation's sake.

The bible further tells us in Jhn. 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." What more has ever happened that is as gigantic as this was? The cross means that much to all people everywhere!

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