The Greatest Story Ever Told

Christianity was founded by the greatest person who ever lived, who accomplished the greatest work ever done, in the greatest way that could ever be imagined. The story of Christ is the greatest story ever told.

It was said of Melchizedek, an Old Testament type of Christ, "Consider how great this man was" (Hebrews 7:4). And if a mere shadow of Christ be so great, how much greater must be the very substance! As the angel told Mary of her soon-to-be-conceived child Jesus, "He shall be great" (Luke 1:32). We can see the greatness of Jesus on bright display in his walk, his work, and his way—in his life of righteousness, in his atonement for mankind, and in his salvation for believers.

In the life of Christ, there is a constellation of every virtue, and a condemnation of every vice. Jesus was the most excellent exemplar of holiness, loving righteousness, and hating wickedness (Hebrews 1:8-9). In the atonement of Christ, there is a fateful collision of the awful wrath and the loving mercy of God. Mercy and truth meet together at the cruel cross; righteousness and peace kiss each other in Jesus' gruesome death (Psalm 85:10). In the salvation of Christ, there is a conspiracy of God's lovingkindness and omnipotence, providing a way into heaven that is both simple and sufficient.

Jesus served, he cared less about people's responses, because he knew God valued every single work of His, "for I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). Therefore, if God appreciates it, keep up with the work. When you quit on serving people it is as if you quit on serving God. Serving others never comes with ease, it may, seem painful and unbearable, but we should count it joy as Jesus counted it all joy, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). How sweet it is to suffer for others, most especially when you know that God appreciates it!

These three aspects of the greatness of the Christian story are related by Peter in a momentous, historically-significant meeting with Cornelius (Acts 10:36-43). It was a watershed event in the early church, where the gospel was beginning to be sent explicitly to the Gentiles. Peter's gospel presentation to Cornelius and his kin began with an emphatic declaration of the greatness of Jesus: "he is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36). He then proceeded to tell the assembled Gentile family of Christ's saintly life, saving work, and simple salvation.

1. The Greatness of the Life of Christ (v. 38)

Christ's life is the greatest life ever lived. Peter preached that he was "anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power." He was uniquely and infinitely empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 3:34) to live in the purest and most profitable way imaginable. He who was Goodness himself "went about doing good," daily seeking the growth of the kingdom of God and the destruction of the kingdom of darkness. By merciful and mighty miracles, he healed "all that were oppressed of the devil." He was continually serving men (Mark 10:45), but was also continually fellowshipping with his Father, "for God was with him."

2. The Greatness of the Atonement of Christ (vv. 39-41)

Christ's atonement is the greatest work ever performed. Peter related that the Jews, those very people who he spent his life ministering to, took and killed him: "whom they slew and hanged on a tree." Jesus was put to death by the very ones he came to give life to. But Christ was vindicated by God the Father, in that he raised him up again from the dead "the third day, and showed him openly." Through his sacrificial death for our sins, and his triumphant resurrection for our justification, Christ fully accomplished the great work of redemption (Romans 4:25).

3. The Greatness of the Salvation of Christ (v. 42-43)

Christ's salvation is the greatest plan ever devised. Peter concluded his message with an explanation of the necessity and simplicity of salvation through Christ. There is a frightening warning pressed, that Jesus will be "the Judge of quick and dead. This is a sober call for immediate action, to flee the wrath to come. And there is an illuminating offer presented, that through this Jesus, "whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Never was a plan of salvation conceived which could possibly be easier than the sole requirement of simple faith for the forgiveness of sins. This, Peter boldly affirms, was the message of "all the prophets," and it is the message to all people: salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

How great the Christian story is! How fantastic, how full, how final! How worthy is this great message of being sounded throughout the entirety of the world!