Who is Truly Great?

Jesus the Christ and Alexander the Great both died at thirty-three. Alexander’s dates in history: 356-323 B.C.  Jesus was born over 300 years later. 
Each lived a brief life on this earth, yet both had incredible accomplishments in those brief years.

One conquered EVERY THRONE; the other EVERY GRAVE.  In the latter part of the fourth century B.C., Alexander attacked Persia .  Victory followed victory until he found himself on the Indus River in modern Pakistan .  There, according to legend, he wept for want of more worlds to conquer.  Jesus, by virtue of His own resurrection, conquered every grave.  After His sinless life, Jesus was crucified on a cross by the hands of godless men (Acts 2:23).  Yet, His death was also a part of the predetermined purpose and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:22), for His blood was shed for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).  Then three days later, God declared that Jesus was the Son of God with power by raising Him from the dead (Romans 1:4).  His resurrection guarantees our own (1 Corinthians 15:20-23; John 5:26-29).

One shed a whole world’s blood; the Other shed His blood for the whole world.  Alexander shed a whole world’s blood to establish his earthly empire.  
Jesus shed His own blood to establish a heavenly kingdom.  "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).  With His blood He purchased a people for His own possession (1 Peter 2:9), the church (Acts 20:28).

One founded an empire upon FORCE; the other founded his upon LOVE.  Napolean Bonaparte said: "I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is NOT a man … Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded empires.  But upon what did we rest the creations of our genius?  Upon force.  Jesus Christ alone founded his empire upon love; and, at this hour, millions would die for him."  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends..." (John 15:13).  Jesus demonstrated this kind of love.

The empire of one is no more; the kingdom of the Other will last for eternity!  Alexander’s Grecian empire is no more.  His demise was the subject of prophecy (see Daniel 8:5-8).  As powerful as he was, Alexander’s kingdom came to an end!  Daniel also prophesied concerning another kingdom, "a kingdom which shall NEVER be destroyed" (2:44-45).  He was speaking of the Kingdom of Christ , the church over which He NOW reigns (1 Corinthians 15:24).

Are YOU a part of His eternal kingdom?  You can be -IF- you will submit to the King: believing in Jesus and trusting Him (Acts 16:31), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into His kingdom for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Subjects of His kingdom must continue to submit to His rule if they would expect to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom (Matthew 7:21).

Alexander was a powerful ruler, but Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14).  

Have YOU submitted to His rule?

God bless you,

David A. Sargent / Allen Dixon

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:

                      HTML version:  subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net
                   TEXT version:  subscribe-livingwater-text@lyris.dundee.net

Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org

Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org