Jesus of Nazareth's Lasting Impact

As a man, an actual historical personality, Jesus of Nazareth has so indelibly impressed the conscience and so vividly touched the imagination of mankind that to contemplate as a serious possibility either His dethronement, as it were, or His fading from human memory is next door to impossible. If it were put as a question is put to a jury, the majority of mankind, those that is who are unembittered by suffering, unwarped by passion, and uncorrupted by their early training, would agree that alike in His person and in His precepts Jesus is unique.

The standards of conduct associated with His name are respected and honored far beyond the confines of His Church, as the following incident attests. On one occasion Hindu and Moslem counsel were appearing before an Indian judge.

One suddenly declared a certain piece of conduct to have been “un-Christlike.” The adjective at once laid its spell upon the court. It was felt that on that point the last word had been spoken and nothing further was needed. The ethical loftiness of Jesus was taken for granted.

Testamentary evidence exists, furthermore, which seems to prove that for certain minds the fascination and the authority of Jesus do not decline with the passing of the centuries. “What a relief it would be,” writes George Tyrell to F. von Hiigel, “if one could conscientiously wash one’s hands of the whole concern. But then there is that strange man upon his cross who drives one back again and again.”

A few decades earlier Renan was writing: “Whatever the unexpected phenomena of the future, Jesus will never be surpassed. His worship will constantly renew its youth. All the ages will proclaim that amongst the sons of men none has been born who is greater than Jesus.”