The Greatest Ever

 
I was only thirteen when I saw him in the flesh.  A mob of people rushed past me, but quickly in my youthful exuberance I caught up and passed them.  Fact was, I didn't know where they were going, or who we were pursuing. The noise before us and behind us made it clear we were getting closer.  And then it became clear.  A small group was already around him and in my haste to get there I had arrived before the mob.  And there I stood alongside one of the bodyguards of him: Muhammad Ali.  Quite arguably the greatest boxer of all time.  Some have deemed him the greatest athlete of all time.  

Surprising thing was he was not so daunting.  The onset of his Parkinson's was certainly apparent.  He walked without a real pep in his step.  He was notably shaky as autograph seekers put pens and papers in front of him to sign.  Words fumbled off of his lips.  Something didn't seem quite consistent.  This was supposed to be "the Greatest Ever", but now he was but a mere shadow of that.  

Of course for the remainder of time we shall continue to stack up on top of each other the accolades of mortals so that we can make comparisons.  We will continue to assess just who it is who is "the Greatest Ever" with the passing days of those from times of old with those current greats.  I guess it all shows the inadequacy of our particular perspective and definitions. 

By definition the idea of the greatest would speak not only to those current, or those past, but all those future.  There is no point then at which we can say someone or something is the greatest ever, if our perspective is limited by our inability to look far enough back, or far enough ahead.

So it strikes me, when I read in John's Gospel, in his introductory word about this Word who was there "in the beginning."  I marvel.  I haven't heard of anyone or anything like that before, other than God.  He is said to be "with God."  I have never heard of one who was on such intimate terms, there from the beginning.  He stands alone in such a category.  And too, I have never otherwise heard of one who was not only there, not only there with God, but who Himself "was God."  The uniqueness of this Word is astonishing.  I find that "all things were made through Him."  I can't say that I have ever heard of another of whom all this was true.  

Of course it becomes all the more wonderful when we understand that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  I don't know of any co-equal with God, who also chose to enter our world every bit a human, like us, even to dwell among us.  And in doing so this Word caused something of His glory to be "seen."  That is, those who walked alongside Him, who were awakened to see Him for who He really was (is) then saw true greatness.  

And of course, this same John at the end of his life saw something of the Word once more.  It was a picture into a future world.  All time and history were past.  There was nothing but the endlessness and timelessness of eternity in front.  If there were a period to position anyone alongside this Word, or begin to really assess a list of those who might compare or compete for title of "the Greatest Ever" this would be it.  But he sees only one riding and coming to judge (Rev. 19:11).  He is the same one who alone was able to take the "scroll and break its seals" (Rev. 5:1-5).  He is the same one who alone was the centerpiece of the heavenly city.  There was no temple because He Himself is its temple (Rev. 21:22).  Of course in all this John makes it clear, this one is called "the Word" (Rev. 19:13). 

So we have record that before time, the Word stands alone, unique, as the greatest.  And we have record that after time, the Word stands alone, unique, as the greatest. 

Of course this Word is none other than Jesus.  I must confess, in spite of my understanding, and belief in every bit of what John is saying of Him, I marvel too little.  It is not that these aren't powerful concepts.  It is that I spend too little time thinking upon that.  It is that I spend too much time valuing and treasuring the meaninglessness of things like musicians, athletes, actors...  But as the greatness of mortals is fading let me be reminded Christ's greatness never fades.  As the greatest of mortals extends only to a small window in time, Christ's greatness transcends time and reigns true over eternity both before and after time exists.  And as the greatness of mortals shifts from one mortal to another, Christ has none who is anywhere near to His greatness that can begin to share the same space, same title, same accolades, or even anything similar.  He stands alone! 

And so to all believers out there I challenge us to behold again Christ: the Greatest Ever.  And to all non-believers out there I challenge you to behold Christ: the Greatest Ever.  Be amazed, be impressed, be overwhelmed, be humbled, and be overjoyed that He has made His greatness known even to us.