There is no greater love in the world

 Veni, vidi, vici, in Ecclesiastical Latin translated “I came; I saw; I conquered,”  reportedly originates from a letter that Julius Caesar wrote to the Roman Senate in around 46 BC, in the city of Zela (now in Tokat Province, Turkey, and known as Zile), after achieving victory in his short war against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. 

The phrase is used to refer to a swift, conclusive victory.  

Variations of the sentence are often quoted, and used in music, art, literature, and entertainment.

This time of the Christian calendar, one could say, Jesus Christ or Yeshua the Messiah did not have to utter the proclamation but did actually live it.

The proclamation of conclusive victory can be attributed to the Jewish carpenter from Nazareth by his followers all around the globe.  

This time of the year, millions of Christians and Messianic believers the world over remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of the Messiah.  

He came, he saw, he conquered. 

He came, according to his own words, so that mankind shall not perish but have everlasting life.  

He saw and experienced for himself the physical and spiritual condition of his generation. 

Through his death and resurrection, he has dealt a decisive victory over sin and death.

In his day in Judea there might have been a significant Greek influence amid Jewish traditional religious beliefs.  

Like someone else pointed out, the Greeks were so in love with their philosophy engaging in intellectual debate, while Jews on the other hand, wanted miracles and wonders.

This is as Paul the apostle alluded in his ministry following the death and resurrection of the Messiah: “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.”

When Jesus was challenged by his compatriots to give them a sign to authenticate his claim to of ebing the son of God, he said:  “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign. But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” 

Could there be a more potent sign than the sign of Prophet Jonah for generation s and this the current generation of ours?

Over the centuries many have attempted to disprove the resurrection of the Messiah, which lies at the core of the Christian belief and is something that sets the faith apart from the rest of the world’s religions.

Without the death and resurrection, the Christian faith would be lacking that which sets it apart and provides believers something to hold on to while everything of this world is shifting and shaking.

During this Easter period, we, as believers, ought to pause and ponder upon the reason for the death of the Jesus Christ.

It is the greatest demonstration of self-less love, something which is tragically lacking even among professed adherents of the Christian faith.

We are great at preaching from the pulpit and even in public discussion like this editorial.  What we lack is the simple living of that love.

The gospel has been preached throughout the length and breadth of Papua New Guinea, what is incumbent upon believers is a simple believing of the gospel message.

Easter is therefore a time to reflect on the central message of the gospel – selfless love.

What a difference it would make, if we become less concerned about ourselves and more about our neighbour.

What a refreshing difference it would make if those entrusted with leadership become true servant leaders, what a difference that would make.

That is the essence of the gospel message underlined by the sacrificial death of Jesus who was the Lamb of God. 

In remembering the events of the Passover or Easter, may we as professed believers stop to reflect and resolve to be a lot more considerate for others and less of ourselves.