The most significant event in the history of the world...

The most significant event in the history of the world was... the death of a Jewish carpenter-become-preacher by Roman crucifixion, just under 2,000 years ago.

Empires have risen, and empires have fallen. Great and powerful men have built dynasties, reputations and earned themselves fortune and fame. For a time. But the the centre of all human history was when Jesus of Nazareth, a man who never wrote a book, died penniless and in shame and rejected even by his own brothers, was crucified.

Because of that great event...

• Millions of people who would have spent their unending existence in misery will instead spend it in unbroken bliss and delight.
  
  
• All around the world, people whose lives were miserable, pointless and empty now rejoice that they know God and are learning day by day to delight in him.
  
  
• Though I have many things to regret, at the end of each day I can go to sleep with a clear conscience, knowing that God loves me.
  
  
• You don't have to be in doubt over the question "can I be sure that God loves me?", but need only remember - "yes he does, because he delivered up even his own Son for me." (Romans 5:1ff).
  
  
• The human race can be what it was originally created to be - a race working under God to have dominion over his world for his glory (Genesis 1:28).
  
  
• Whole countries that spent thousands of years in ignorance, superstition and wickedness have been transformed.
  
  
• Instead of living in anxious fear of other people, I can be released from it all so that I only need to be in the delightful fear of God (Luke 12:1).
  
  
• When the time for death comes, as it has done to all who have gone before us, instead of terror there can be peace - we're going home. The one who has loved us before we ever were - we shall now see.
  
  
• Every legitimate desire for justice and righteousness is going to be fulfilled, and we can know it with confidence. God is just, and Calvary is the proof (Romans 3:21ff).
  
  
• The wicked will not inherit the earth - one day they will not defile it any more, but will not be found, even if we search carefully for them (Psalm 37).
  
  
• Death is defeated. It is no longer the awesome enemy of men, but the gateway to glory. It's strength has been sapped, and even our bodies shall rise from the grave to immortality (1 Corinthians 15).
  
  
• I can now understand that salvation is all God's work. There is nothing I could ever give to breach the gap and atone for my sins - but he has given, and he gave enough. What could be of greater value than the offering of his own Son? How could the Father not be pleased with and accept one in whom he so much delighted?
  
  
• It is the proof that "though we are more sinful than we can ever knew, we are more loved than we could ever imagine" (quote from Rico Tice). And the one who has so loved us, we will one day see, and be in his presence forever.
  
  
• There is a great message of hope for the nations. "Go into all the world and preach the good news" (Matthew 28:18ff.).

What were you thinking was significant today? Here's one more result of that great event:

• And all the above remains cast-iron true, even when we foolishly begin to forget it.