Many events in human history can be classified as great.
Charles Lindberg was the first person to successfully fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from the Unted States to France in 1927 after several people died trying. It is estimated 50 million people came out to see him during a tour across the United States upon his return.
Muhammad Ali certainly was a great boxer. He held the world heavyweight crown for several years. He won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. He was nicknamed “The Greatest.” Sports Illustrated magazine named him the Sportsman of the Twentieth Century. If you saw him box or speak, he was very entertaining. He coined the famous phrase, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”
As Christians, there is no debate what the greatest act in human history is. It is the most significant aspect of Easter. It is the resurrection of Jesus.
There are many other Easter events that can be classified as great:
When the temple guards came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of a guard. Jesus reattached the ear and healed the guard. “And one of them struck at the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” He touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Luke 22:50. What a great act of love directed toward one of your captors.
While hanging on the cross, Jesus instructed John to take care of his mother. John 19:25-27 “Dear woman, here is your son” What a loving act.
After a day of savage beatings and flogging and hanging on the cross, Jesus says, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. To me, that amount of love is incomprehensible.
Jesus showed respect, love, and honor for women by appearing first to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection. Women were treated as less than second class citizens at this time. John 20:11-16
“He loved his disciples during his ministry and now He loved them to the very end.” John 13:1
Jesus performed a menial task usually reserved for servants. “He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet.” What an extraordinary act of selflessness and love. John 13:4
Jesus forgave His disciples for abandoning Him. Luke 24:36 “Jesus was suddenly standing among them. Peace be with you, He said.” Jesus, their leader they followed for three years, was crucified. It is understandable they deserted Him. Jesus did not hesitate to forgive them and restore them.
Why can all of these actions be classified as great? Because each act demonstrates selflessness and love. Actually, to the degree that they are incomprehensible. Jesus, the creator, and Lord over the entire universe became human and died a horrific death to fulfill the will of the Father. Every act in the three-year ministry of Jeus was based on a degree of love that was unknown to the population. There can be no doubt to the immeasurable level of love God has for us. It is stated most famously in John 3:16. “For this is how God loved the world. He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Great things just keep on coming. God’s love is a gift to us. He also is offering eternal life if we believe and follow Him. How much God loves us is way beyond my human understanding. I am truly appreciative of it.
It is no wonder we celebrate Easter.