A Greater Than Solomon

Behold, a greater than Solomon is here (Matt. 12: 42). Great things said Jesus about himself. Thinking of this world’s darkness, he said: “I am the Light of the world.” Thinking of humanity’s homelessness: “I am the Door.” Thinking of our waywardness: “I am the Way.” Thinking of our need of protection: “I am the Good Shepherd.” Thinking of our fruitlessness that dishonors God and burglarizes our souls: “I am the Vine.” Thinking of the world’s deadness in sin: “I am the resurrection, and the life.” Thinking of the greatness of Jonah, behind the curtain of whose preaching Nineveh shifted scenes of riot for penitential tears: “A greater than Jonah is here.” Thinking of Solomon’s wisdom, glory, greatness: “A greater than Solomon is here.” But greater is Jesus than anything he is ever likened to – something far more than the most illustrious in the census of the world. His life is an episode between two eternities – one stretching back before all worlds, the other forward forever. Human language falls short of expressing all that he is, even as a thimble lacks capacity to hold Niagara Falls. The Fact of facts, the Bible’s theme – he stands alone, august, unique, supreme. All comparisons, all similes, all metaphors but skirt the edges of the glory of this matchless person in whom all sanctities and sufferings unite. “His name shall be called Wonderful!” (Isaiah 9: 6). And, though a thousand names be used, Christ, the loftiest ideal of all literature, the highest personality of all philosophy, the supremest problem of all criticism, the fundamental doctrine of all true theology, the cardinal necessity of all spiritual religion, the outstanding miracle of all ages, was, and is, the superlative of anything you choose to call him. We would pitch our mental tents today on that vast field of thought which Jesus puts before us when, speaking of himself, he said: “Behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”

Psychologists have long known that every person has two great longings and inward needs. The first is to be loved, and the second is to love. But when pressures and heartaches come into our lives, many give up any hope of ever finding love. The tragedy is that we often look in the wrong places to fill this deep need and longing. Some substitute lust for love. Others pursue material things or superficial relationships--all in the futile attempt to fill a God-shaped vacuum in the human heart. But there is good news! There is a love worth finding and a love worth sharing. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). On the cross of Christ, God's mighty love was revealed and offered unconditionally to all who would be saved. Do you long to know this mighty love? Then I need to ask you the most important question you'll ever be asked: Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, that your sins are forgiven, and that you are saved and on your way to heaven? The great news is, you can know! Let me share with you how to discover the greatest love worth finding. Admit Your Sin. First, you must admit that you are a sinner. The Bible says, "None is righteous, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10, 23). It is our sin that separates us from God and from fulfilling our deepest needs and longings. Sin is an offense against God that carries a serious penalty. According to Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death [eternal separation from the love and mercy of God]." Abandon Your Efforts. Second, you must abandon any efforts to save yourself. If we could save ourselves, Jesus's death would have been unnecessary! Even "getting religion" cannot get you to heaven. The Bible says it is "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy" that we are saved (Titus 3:5). Salvation is by God's grace, "not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Acknowledge Christ's Payment. What you cannot do for yourself, Jesus Christ has done for you! "But God shows his love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He died on the cross for you and then rose from the dead to prove that his payment was acceptable to God. But you must acknowledge and believe this fact. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Accept Christ as your Savior. Salvation is God's gift to you. "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). When someone offers you a priceless gift, the wisest thing you can do is accept it! This very moment, you can receive Christ's gift of salvation by sincerely praying this simple prayer from your heart: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that you love me and want to save me. Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, who died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe God raised you from the dead. I now turn from my sin and, by faith, receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart, forgive my sins, and save me, Lord Jesus. In your name I pray. Amen.

This useful and practical book provides the college student, seminarian, church study group, and interested lay person with a much-needed introductory guide on the "how" (method) and the "what" (message) of Jesus' teachings. In this revised edition, Robert Stein updates his classic work, adds a new bibliography, and introduces use of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, bringing this important text to a new generation of students.