The word Christian literally means “Christ-like.” By that definition there aren’t any. 🙂 Jesus the Christ is wholly unique. There is no one like Him in all of history.

He left the earth at only 33 years old. He literally lifted straight up off the earth with a crowd of people watching. His resurrection is only contested because people are afraid of the implications of its truth. Over 500 people saw Him after His resurrection. We have more primary source evidence of His life and resurrection than any figure in ancient history. If you believe that Ramses I is an historical figure, or Julius Caesar, then you can believe in Jesus. It’s not as foolish to believe as some would make it seem. 

His public ministry was only about 3 and a half years long. He wrote no books, built no buildings, fought no battles. He mostly just wandered around and talked to people, but the things He said shook the earth, and are shaking it still.

The things He said frightened Jewish and Roman leaders alike so much that these mortal enemies joined together to see Him executed. Sike! He went willingly to death, and then kept coming. Who does that?!

The things He said have inspired people to confront giants of tyranny and violence. 

All of His disciples died or were exiled to spread His words to others.

Telemachus gave His life to end the violence in the Coliseum, because of His words.

Mahatma Gandhi is said to have read the Sermon the Mount, the longest collection of Jesus teachings found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7, twice a day for 40 years. It  shaped his non-violent resistance movement.

And Martin Luther King’s.

His words inspired Patrick to return to the people who enslaved him, so that they might be set free.

And William Wilberforce to see slavery driven from the British Empire.

And Jim Elliott to die in a jungle for people he’d only just met.

And Corrie Ten Boom to face the camps with the Jewish refugees she’d hidden.

His words have founded schools, hospitals, hospices and halfway houses. His words have brought comfort to the sick, the dying, the exiles and the addicts. His words are a burning candle in the dark that never goes out!

There are no Christians really. There is no one like Him, but those of us who call ourselves Christians and truly mean it, are people who step into those words and try to let them live in us, and who pray that He will live in us and give those Words His power.

“I Am the Vine. You are the branches. If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – Jesus