“This Jesus of Nazareth without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Muhammad and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on matters human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, He spoke such words of life as were never spoke before or since and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.” ― John Schaff
He Is.
Still.
This Jesus of Nazareth….
Carmen said...
Hi, I’m a new reader of your blog. My name is Carmen and I’m from Lebanon in the Middle East. Frankly, the entire quote captured my imagination. It just rings so true. Yet, the only thing I struggle to agree with in this quote is the very first sentence. Living where I live, it’s hard to believe that Jesus conquered more millions than Muhammed, because that is simply not true here. It’s a difficult and daily struggle to live out and share the gospel.
Rachel said in reply to Carmen...
Hey, just wanted you to know I stopped and prayed for that daily struggle of yours when I read this. Living out and sharing the gospel is hard for me, even in a place where I know so many other believers, so I’m challenged by your courage.
happygirl said...
What Carmen said. And, I love all the songs written about Jesus. I’m a fan of hymns. :)
Donald Borsch Jr. said...
Nicole,
How odd is this? I had this quote going through my head recently, and now you use one that is so similar! Check this:
“Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him. . . . I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him: Jesus Christ was more than a man. . . . I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me . . . but to do this is was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them, I lightened up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts. . . . Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen, that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother. He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! In defiance of time and space, the soul of man, with all its powers and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ. All who sincerely believe in Him, experience that remarkable, supernatural love toward Him. This phenomenon is unaccountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man’s creative powers. Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put a limit to its range. This is it, which strikes me most; I have often thought of it. This it is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ. ”
Napoleon Bonaparte
Cool, ain’t it?
Vagabon said...
The Aspects of Jesus that are the best.
“It is finished” and “I am he” Very simple when you look at the context of these two quotes of Jesus. The fact that he clams to be the Christ then fulfills the prepetition for our sins.
Julie (@InciteFaith) said...
The thing I love most about this quote is how simple it is; How simple Jesus is. What I have a hard time struggling with is how complicated we make Him.
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Julie...
Julie,
I agree, in that Jesus dying on the cross is a simple concept. My 5 year old can grasp that we need Him in order to be right with God. But at the same time, He Himself is beyond complex, infinite in His dimensions, character, and mystery.
I think, though, what you’re saying is, yes, when we focus on just Him–the Person of Jesus Christ–is really is quite simple. He is it. Period.
Josh said...
The part that sticks out most for me where I am at right now is the fact that Christians often use arms in Jesus name. Sometimes it is literal (weapons, guns, grenades, etc.), other times it is vocal (one could call it a sort of verbal violence). Did Jesus come to conquer the world or did he come to restore it? Did he come to take control of us or to love us? Our world is filled with people who, for some reason, will stop at nothing to stay in power. Christians are no exception. What Jesus has shown us is that there is great power in (what we might call) weakness.
Nicole Cottrell said in reply to Josh...
Josh,
Well said. He did not come to be served, but to serve…
Amen.
Mollie said...
Wow, that is an amazing quote! I love the whole thing, but especially how it points out that Jesus did so much more with so much less (by the world’s standards). Just goes to show you that He will qualify the called, not just call the qualified!