The wisest man ever to live once declared that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches [Proverbs 22:1]. Who would you choose? Would you choose to depend on a wealthy man in time of necessity, just because he had wealth? Or would you choose to depend on the qualities of a good man, whether or not he had money?
A good name is better than precious ointment [Ec. 7:1]. It dresses a man far better than any cologne; it becomes a woman far more than any fragrance. In the day of death, a good name leaves a presence that no amount of flowers can affect.
Jesus is the greatest illustration of Solomon`s declaration that "the day of death is better than the day of one's birth" [Ec. 7:1]. The Lord Jesus Christ broke his miraculous body and shed his divine blood for the remission of our sins.
To many Jews, his death is the stumbling block to their believing that Jesus is the Christ. They view the death of the Messiah as incomprehensible. Even the prophet Isaiah shouts through the ages, "Who has believed our report? To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Of the Messiah, the prophet declares, "Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrow: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" [Is. 53:4,5].
Jesus told his disciples, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" [John 15:13]. The Apostle Paul declares of Jesus, "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet, peradventure, for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" [Rom. 5:6-8].
Why did Jesus die for us? The Bible answer is redemption. Jesus gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works [Titus 2:14].
On whom do you choose to depend in the greatest of your necessities? In whom will you trust when you come to the day of your death?
There is none greater than God. He is the highest and the holiest. He is the strongest and the wealthiest. That is the definition of GOD. Yet, of all whom men claim to be God, there is only One who has demonstrated a love so great and has shown a sacrifice so unselfish as to prove himself to be that One Good GOD.
There is none beside him, and there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. Others may promise get riches, but they lack the power to give what they are professed to have. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" [Matt. 11:28].