Quote:
Originally Posted by MontanaGuy
I think it's probable that Jesus was the most influential human being who ever lived (and I do believe he was a flesh and blood human being and not fictitious as others do) and yet we know so little about him. When you compare all of the individuals in history who were very influential there is generally a wealth of information about them. Even individuals who lived before Jesus have a much more detailed account of their lives and often include sculptures or paintings that are believed to be an accurate depiction of how the person really looked. There is not any physical description of Jesus at all which I find very peculiar for a person of such importance. There is also the fact that most of the years of his life are not even mentioned with the exception of a handful of events that may have happened in his youth. Basically we're told the story of his birth and the main focus of the Bible is Jesus as an adult, his philosophy, and his death. It makes it even more peculiar when you consider the fact that there were individuals who lived at the same time, his followers and disciples, and yet there are no written records from the time that Jesus was still living, that happened much later. This is truly unique when you compare lesser known figures who we have a wealth of information about. Why isn't the central figure in the Christian religion represented in history by a larger body of literature, works of art, sculptures or anything that we would expect from an individual of such historical importance?
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There is less first-hand, completely reliable information on Alexander the Great than there is on Jesus the Christ, yet no one questions this. There is less information about Herod who sentenced Jesus than about the Christ himself.
You must keep in mind that the bible is not just one book, but a compliation of letters and books by various authors. The information we have about Jesus through the New Testiment is sufficient. The bible even states that there is much, much more about Jesus and what he taught that, if put on paper, would be too much for the world to hold (
John 21:25 (NIV)). Again, it is a step of faith that what God provided us via the New Testiment is sufficient. If God wanted us to know more, it would be known.
As for your last thoughts, I guess you're talking contemporary to his time on earth. You must see things from the biblical point of view. Jesus did not come to conquer, but to serve and save... serve the Father and save mankind. Of course at the time he was alive and walking the earth there wasn't much (outside of the apostolic writings which mostly were written between 40 and 70 AD) written about him. What was to exhalt? The people at that time didn't completely understand what Jesus was about. Some thought him a ruler to restore Israel, some just probably thought he was some crazy carpenter from Nazareth. It was the miracle of his resurrection and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit that opened everyone's eyes that they could truly understand Jesus' mission during his first earthly visit. Jesus wasn't here to exhault himself, but the Father and the message from the Father. He wasn't here for worldly gain. He accomplished what he came to do.
When he comes again, then it will be as King of kings and Lord of lords and righteous judge of the earth.
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