More than nineteen hundred years ago, a man was born contrary to the laws of nature. He was born in poverty, he was reared in obscurity. He never traveled much. Only once did he cross the boundary of the country in which he lived, and that was during his exile in childhood. His parents were inconspicuous. They had no formal training, no formal education. Yet in infancy, he startled a king. In childhood, he puzzled doctors. In manhood, he ruled the course of nature. Walked upon the waves of the sea, and the winds and the waves like little dogs laid down at his feet.
He never wrote a book, yet all the libraries in the land cannot hold the books that have been written about him. He never wrote a song, and yet he has furnished the theme for more songs than all of the songwriters combined. He never practiced medicine, but he’s healed a multitude of their sicknesses and diseases and then made no charge for his services. He never practiced psychiatry, yet he’s healed a multitude of broken hearts, broken minds, broken homes, broken lives than all of the psychiatrists far and near. He never marshaled an army, never drafted a soldier, never fired a shot, yet no leader has ever had more volunteers sue unto his orders or made more rebels stack their arms and surrender.
Being born among the cattle, he died between the thieves. Beginning his public ministry hungry, yet he is the bread of life. Ending his public ministry thirsty on the cross, yet he is the water of life. Though often weary, yet he said come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Though he had no place to lay his head, He goes to prepare a place for those who believe on his name. Wept at the tomb of Lazarus as man, but then raised Lazarus from the grave as the God-man. Abandoned by his disciples on the night of his betrayal, yet he promises to never leave or forsake those who trust in him. Sold for thirty pieces of silver, and yet redeemed on the cross a universe, this is the son of the living God. Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of majesty as the final prophet, as the perfect priest, as the greatest king, and as the highest joy that a believer will ever experience this side of heaven. This is what our eyes were meant to behold. This is what we were created to stand in awe of.
[The Incomparable Christ: an anonymous tract: with modifications]
