By Nick Shelton

I had a dream one night about a sports star who was the greatest athlete ever known. The dream took place during the year 2015. This man came from a small town, but he was eventually known worldwide. His name was Sarus, no first name or initial; he was simply known as Sarus.Sarus became famous playing the U.S. sport, baseball. As a pitcher with an overpowering fastball, he was able to pitch dozens of no-hitters. Every time he stepped into the batter’s box, he was sure to hit a home run. The media wrote in frenzies about him, reporting all his record-breaking triumphs. Fans came from all over to see him. The name Sarus was as well-known in every household, the way name Coca-Cola is known today.

With his lightning-fast speed and great throwing arm, fans convinced this man to play quarterback for an NFL team. Success poured over from the baseball diamond to the gridiron. Sarus won the Super Bowl in his first year as a quarterback.
Around the world, people asked questions such as, “Did you see what Sarus did last night?” and “What time is Sarus playing tonight?” People who had never liked sports before were now interested. Every kid, from 4-14, wanted to be a pitcher or quarterback like Sarus.
After a short three-year career, jealous athletes and crazed fans formed an angry mob and killed Sarus. After his death, his fame only grew, especially when his autopsy showed he had never used any steroids, or foreign substances. Even the jealous athletes agreed that this was the most talented man that ever walked the earth. He grew into a legend. Over the years, his stories were constantly being retold. His career was actually portrayed in a movie that would break all sorts of box office records. The diary he kept was published and sold well over one billion copies.
So could a man ever be as great as Sarus? Of course not. But Jesus was and is.
In His 3 year ministry, throngs of crowds followed Him. I’m sure the talk of the towns was, “Have you heard of this man they call Jesus?” and “Did you hear what Jesus did yesterday?” It was not until after His death that most people realized that He was the man He claimed to be. The Bible, the book written about Him, has become the best-selling book of all-time. Jesus has changed the lives of millions and millions of people throughout time, making Him the most influential man in history.
What has caused this devotion to Him? It’s not because these people’s parents followed Him. It’s not because men in history glorified Him in their writings. It’s not because people are afraid they may go to hell. And it’s not because people turn to the supernatural to explain life – it is because of His love. Love is the only thing that could have stood against time, nations, and all the world’s evil. Jesus loved us more than anything else in the world. Because of this love, He will always reign in people’s hearts.
By accepting Jesus in our hearts, we as humans are doing the greatest thing that we can do – to love.
This man who could walk on water, heal the blind, and raise the dead could have decided to save the world in many different ways, but He chose to do it with love.
Therefore, our purpose in life should be to accept Jesus’ love and to reflect this love in all our actions.
The word Jesus is a powerful word throughout the world. Dozens die everyday because they confess Jesus as the Lord of their life. Millions of others spend their entire lives learning about this man. Millions confess that their ultimate goal in life is to become more like Him. To the millions that have never seen Him, He is easily recognized. People from all nations declare Him as the King of their lives. As John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, millions are baptized every year. Although He never wrote a line, His book is the best seller of all-time. Although He only used words to teach, his lessons have impacted far more than any other teacher, professor, scientist, or philosopher. Although He never received a formal education, He has served to educate millions on how to live. Although His miracles were only seen by a select few, millions now believe. In just three years, this man left the world with knowledge that will never be forgotten. In just three days, this man suffered, so that all the world’s sins could be forgiven. Since the days that Jesus walked on this earth, the world has yet to be the same.
What do you think about Jesus:

• Is He in your heart?
• Is He the Man written about in the Bible?
• Is He the Man that has changed millions of lives?
• Is He your best friend?
• Is He the One who you asked to take away your sin?
• Is He the person that you are striving to become?
• Is He your Savior?

No matter what Jesus is to you, and no matter how long you’ve been a Christian - Jesus should be the foundation in your life that allows you will allow you to build a great structure for your life.

Matthew 14:33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The preceding entry is an excerpt from The Christian Tales, a book by Nick Shelton.