I know an “Influencer”. He lived in human form a while ago but was nailed to a cross and died. The amazing thing is that He has a rather unique way of influencing people. He lives in them…millions of them and has done so with each generation that has come and gone since He died…and rose again. His influence though is not over donut or coffee sales or shaving products. No, when He influences someone we see beautiful acts of kindness, we see reconciliation where there was hate, we see humility and servants being born, where once there was only pride. We see love for enemies, forgiveness for great wrongs, sacrificial giving of times and monies, and joy being spread instead of misery and sadness. We also see people living victoriously over sin, and coarse language and obscenities being traded for wholesome talk that builds people up. We see those who before had no voice becoming ministers of reconciliation as they share the gospel of peace and salvation. The list of how Jesus influences people goes on and on but what is on the list is far more significant than the sale of a donut.
The amazing thing to me about the “Influencer” video featured on “60 minutes” is that these folks, of no notoriety whatsoever, now are “stars” in the popularity sense. They can now walk down the street and be recognized by tons of people who will crowd around them and treat them as someone special. THE Influencer I know had people crowd around Him. Some tried to push Him off a cliff, others tried to touch the hem of his cloak, others watched wide-eyed as he fed thousands with small amounts of fish and bread, and some led him to a cross where He was crucified. For this influencer, Jesus Christ, that appeared to be the end of His influence. And yet over two-thousand years later He continues to have the most profound and meaningful influence that any person has ever had, and all without social media. Why? How? Because when Christ influencers someone they don’t have to view a post. No…He opens their eyes to consider THE POST that He was nailed to and when He draws them to Him through His suffering, His love, His sacrifice…..they are influenced FOR EVER as they watch their sins get washed away.
Listen to this influencers story:
15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because ofg your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:15-23
Now that is an “Influencer”
For Him,
Rob