Gordon Robinson | Jesus was the greatest leader the world has ever seen

The Resurrection is the centre-piece of Christian faith.

Without it, Christianity crumbles like a bag of cookies accidentally sat upon. So the Resurrection isn’t something that can be taken on trust. It must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

I admit, I was busy reading my race book on that particular Friday afternoon so missed the excitement at Calvary, but I accept the evidence from those who were there. Jesus died on the Cross. There’s also plenty evidence that He rose again. John 20: 11-18 alleges that He first appeared to Mary (establishing women’s priority in this world) and told her: “Go … to my brothers and tell them. I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” She passed on the message and then He showed himself to the Apostles: “Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet ... .” (Matthew 28:9).

So that’s the story. But is it true? The test of any witness’ veracity lies in his/her actions, not words, which are usually tested in cross-examination. The Apostles’ testimony of Jesus’ resurrection was unshaken by the most intense cross-examination. They endured imprisonment, torture, and death rather than simply recant.

I recently made a rare appearance (virtually) at a funeral (don’t believe in ’em) held at Swallowfield Chapel and was transfixed by the Pastor’s message. On the issue of the Resurrection, after reminding the gathering he was also a lawyer, Pastor David Henry said:

“Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, I submit is a historical fact. Time won’t permit me to elucidate all the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. However, I’ll share this snippet with you from Dr Simon Greenleaf, one of the greatest legal minds ever known, who was the famous Royal Professor of Law at Harvard University. While Professor at Harvard, he wrote a volume in which he examined the legal value of the Apostles’ testimony to the resurrection of Christ. He observed that ‘it was impossible that the Apostles could have persisted in affirming the truths they had narrated had not Jesus actually risen from the dead and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.’ According to Greenleaf, ‘the resurrection of Christ was one of the best-supported events in history according to the laws of legal evidence administered in a Court of Justice.’ ”

Apostles’ “I saw” evidence, maintained through the fire of extreme atrocity, isn’t impeachable in any court. So I believe the Resurrection happened.

THE REASON

But. Why. Did. It. Happen?

Simplistic Christian dogma is that He died to save us from sin. But that must be nonsense as none of us are “safe” from “sin”. Ask Tabby. Ask his murderers. The Christian Church’s best mind-control technique tells us we all are sinners. This is how Pastor David explained the “saved from sin” bit:

“The prospect of our freedom from sin/death is on account of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. Why was it necessary for Jesus to die? Earlier in his letter [to the Ephesians] Paul provides the answer:

‘In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.’

“The penalty for our sin is physical death and ultimately eternal separation from God. Jesus was the only man … who didn’t sin. He was the perfect man … Because of God’s love for us, Jesus determined (in God’s will) to take the rap for you and me. He determined to accept the payment for our sins. He chose to take on Himself your sin and my sin …

“He wasn’t guilty of any wrongdoing. His only ‘sin’ was His undying love, compassion and mercy for those who killed Him. Our sins cost Him His life - the shedding of His blood. As a result, the penalty due for my sin has been paid. Provision has been made for my forgiveness. This is God’s grace – the just dying for the unjust; the pure dying for the impure; the noble dying for the ignoble; a man dying for His enemies; the Creator dying for His creatures; the King dying for the slave and prisoner. God has therefore made available to us His amazing grace. It isn’t meting out to us what we deserve for our sin - mercy. It’s giving to us what we don’t deserve: grace. He offers us forgiveness of sins. He offers us a place as children in His family and beneficiaries of all that is His ... .”

I’ve repeatedly told you that life is nothing more than God experiencing relative existence through us. So as Pastor David said, we should try to live as Jesus lived, but even if we don’t, God’s forgiveness is already built in. This “saving from sin” is forgiveness. It’s God’s grace. How could a righteous God send us to this ant’s nest otherwise? Jesus ensured that His teachings of righteousness would live forever by making the ultimate sacrifice in a manner that guaranteed reverberation around the world despite weak Wi-Fi. Then He proved that forgiveness was always available by His resurrection.

Pastor David continued:

“We look forward to resurrection from the dead and abundant life in Christ.

In order to experience God’s life and grace we have a part to play. We have to accept it. We must exercise faith. But the verse tells us that even this faith isn’t of ourselves; it’s God’s gift. It isn’t of works so no one can boast or legitimately claim to have earned it.

In orde r to experience this grace therefore we must … look to Jesus Christ (and Him alone) through whom this salvation is available.”

From my perspective, this means that we must accept Jesus’ teachings (“salvation”) and try to live accordingly. But even if we don’t, God’s grace remains available to us and we’ll rejoin God after “death”. Pastor David urges us to accept God’s Grace and believe we are One With God:

“Paul was writing this letter from a place of imprisonment in Rome. This makes his message even more poignant. It means nothing can separate us from God’s love. Not physical enslavement, persecution, trouble, sickness, hardship, demons, the devil, or even death. We can therefore live without fear. We can rejoice at all times; in the good times and the bad times.”

Yep, it’s manifest (work it out; it’s comic) that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). We are here to experience the good, the bad, and the ugly. If we do so with faith that God’s grace is available regardless of how short we fall of the glory, then we’ll return to God having fulfilled this existence’s true purpose.

Pastor David on life’s purpose:

“ We therefore find purpose and fulfilment in life through union with Christ … It isn’t your appearance and admiration; nor your performance and accomplishments; nor your status and recognition or religion. You and I were made for fellowship with the Almighty and I experience this through union with His Son Jesus Christ. Life is found in Christ alone.”

Pastor David couldn’t be clearer as to Who We Really Are:

“ We are God’s workmanship. We are His masterpieces. This means that regardless of where I’ve been or what I’ve done, I’m special to God. I have a purpose and destiny.”

Can I get an AMEN?

LEADERSHIP IS EXAMPLE

Boiled down to gravy, what Pastor David Henry, one of the very few religious leaders who tries to live as he preaches, explained is that Jesus was the greatest leader the world has ever seen. He talked the talk AND walked the walk. Then he took his Followers’ burden unto Himself, died for us, and rose again so we could know that His teachings were the way and the light and whoever believed in Him would never “die”.

So this is what leadership is all about. Leadership is example.

I commend a life emulating Jesus to our political leaders. Take your followers’ burden unto yourselves. Sacrifice for them. For example, before you take the fiscally prudent step of terminating duty concessions for many public servants and converting them to salary increases, do the same for MPs.

I have more questions about this cloak-and-dagger move to reduce government spending. How will these monthly payments be calculated? What’ll be the effect of Government’s legal 25 per cent kickback (o/c income tax)? If public servants saved the amortised monthly payments faithfully, would they be able to pay 20 per cent more duty on a new car in three years? Will salaries, now 50+ per cent below market, be increased by the amortised amount alone or together with “normal” increases? What about those who worked their time and are entitled to the duty concession in 2022? Will they be retroactively compensated?

I wish you all a happy and holy Easter.

Peace and Love!

- Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com