"I challenge you to prove that such a person as Jesus Christ ever existed" was heard coming from the far end of a grocery store where two customers were talking. The speaker had long been known as an outspoken atheist who sought every opportunity to express his views. He had great confidence in his ability to contest the facts of Christianity with anyone.
The Christian who had been accosted, referred his belligerent acquaintance to the Bible as proof of the existence of Jesus Christ.
"But," said the atheist, "I don't believe the Bible; so that is no proof to me.”
Just at this point a third customer entered the store, and seeing these men in conversation, joined them. The Christian thereupon recited what had already been said. After a brief pause the newcomer turned to the atheist, and said, "I believe you are the bookkeeper at the bank, aren't you?" Upon receiving an affirmative reply, he continued: "It is most strange to me and almost unbelievable, that you should seek any proof of the existence of Jesus Christ; for at your work in the bank you write His birth date many times each day. Why, this very day, if you go to work, you will record the date of September 2, 1942, on many records and documents. You must recognize that it is 1942, which date is calculated from the date of the birth of Jesus Christ. Correctly speaking, it is 1942, 'A. D.' which means 'in the year of our Lord.'
You simply cannot' escape evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ, for the world abounds with proofs that He actually lived and died here. Furthermore, every person in this country who transacts any legal business whatsoever, must give tacit acknowledgment to the fact of His existence by affixing the date. Friend you simply cannot honestly live in this country and be an atheist.”
For a few moments the trio stood in silence, and then the banker turned about and left the store without saying another word.
Any person who has indulged in such unsupported thoughts and statements as those expressed by the banker, should stop and think. He should remember that in his own case, his very birth certificate says that he was born on a certain day, in a certain year—"the year of our Lord." If he buys or sells any real estate, the date as in "the year of our Lord" will be dilly recorded. Yes, even the morning newspaper will bear silent testimony to the same fact. And the last record made of a man when he dies, is that he died in the year—, "A. D." To say that there is no evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ is gross folly, and willful blindness.
Not only has the Lord Jesus, God's beloved Son, come into this world and lived in it; but He was crucified in it. It is a most solemn fact that when God sent His Son into the world, men cast Him out. God sent His Son into the world with this thought, "They will reverence My Son." Matt. 21:3737But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. (Matthew 21:37). Man's answer to the goodness of God was, "Away with this man... crucify Him, crucify Him." Luke 23:18, 2118And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Luke 23:18)
21But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. (Luke 23:21).
This world still stands guilty of the rejection and crucifixion of the Son of God. It is only God's patience and longsuffering that has withheld His just and righteous judgment from a condemned world; but some day before long, His judgments will be poured out on the Christ rejecters.
There is, however, another side to the cross of Christ. There we see manifested the love of God which would give the dearest object of His heart. He allowed man's wickedness to do its worst, and then God abounded above all the wickedness, and made His Son a sacrifice which would be capable of putting the sin away righteously. There God made that holy, sinless, spotless One to be sin in order that He might be able to offer you and me a free and full pardon.
God could not pass over man's sin, but in matchless love He provided a perfect sacrifice who could be the substitute for the guilty.
God in mercy sent His Son
To a world by sin undone;
Jesus Christ was crucified—
'Twas for sinners Jesus died.
O, the glory of the grace,
Shining in the Savior's face!
Telling sinners from above,
"God is light," and "God is love.”
On that solid ground-work of the death of His beloved Son, God now offers salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life to any and all who will receive it. There is not a question as to the sinner's guilt, but if he will simply acknowledge it before God, and believe that Jesus actually died for him, he will be saved. Reformation will not save anyone; good deeds will not save either; but simple faith in Christ will save. All the good deeds a man can do would never atone for a single sin; but a perfect atonement has been provided by God, and all you have to do is to receive it. Then you can say, "He was wounded for our (my) transgressions, He was bruised for our (my) iniquities: the chastisement of our (my) peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are (I am) healed." Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).