“Who’s the greatest of all time” is a question often asked and always debated.  It surfaces in every facet of our world.  And lists offering views on the greatest are easy enough to uncover. 

Consequently, as I pondered who might be referenced in a summary of the greatest people in history, I was confident that I would find multiple rankings.  What I wasn’t certain about was who would be on the lists, and especially who would be at the top of them.

While he wasn’t the first to compile a list, it seems that Michael H. Hart’s book, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” took the exercise to another level.  Published in 1978 and revised in 1992, his work is still regularly referenced on this subject. 

‘“Unlike various other rankings at the time, Hart was not attempting to rank on “greatness” as a criterion, but rather whose actions most changed the course of human history.  … Founders and shapers of successful religions were among the most influential in Hart’s view, as these shaped many people’s lives quite strongly over a long period of time.”’ (Wikipedia).

Sure enough, the person occupying the number one spot on his list is a religious person … Muhammad.  He gets the nod because Hart regarded him as extremely successful.  Not only did he start a new religion, but he gained great power and oversaw significant military conquests which unified Arabia.

The next highest religious figures on Hart’s list are Jesus at number 3, and Gautama Buddha at 4.

Of course, there are other lists.  A more recent one (2013) was compiled by TIME Magazine via a “data-driven” process.  In their list of the 100 most significant people in history, “a quarter of [their selections] are philosophers or major religious figures.” (Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward – TIME).  Their top figure was Jesus; Muhammad came in third.

In fact, on most such lists, Jesus is indeed listed as the most important person in history.  But his ranking comes from a secular perspective and acknowledges his “secular” and “spiritual” contributions to the societies of the world. 

Biography Online provides a nice summary of the rationale for listing Jesus first:  (Buddha placed 4^th on their list, and Muhammad 7^th.)

“Jesus Christ (c. 4 BC – c. AD 30) was a spiritual Teacher, who preached a gospel of faith, love and forgiveness.  His life and teachings led to the emergence of a new religion – Christianity, which became the dominant religious force in the western world.  The Christian religion reveres Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Jesus is also an important prophet in Islam, and his teachings are widely admired by other religious traditions.” (Biography Online).

As expected, the various lists all vary a great deal – not only in the ranking of those on the lists, but even of those who make the lists.  However, there is one fundamental, overriding assumption regarding all of the individuals mentioned on all the compilations: they are just human.

And, of course, this is absolutely true.  Except for one individual on the lists – Jesus.  Yes, he was also completely human; but he wasn’t just human.  He was also completely God.  That sets Jesus apart from every other person listed.  It sets him apart from every other person who ever lived!

Every “greatest” list includes people from every aspect of life.  As already mentioned, religious figures hold prominent positions.  But political and military powerhouses are also featured.  As are scientists, chemists, biologists, inventors, philanthropists and philosophers.  The arts are represented too, with writers, painters, composers, musicians, and even singers making the cut.

But no matter the list or the ones who happen to be on a list, each of those individuals started life at a certain time, and were given life by the Lord Jesus.  Furthermore, every one of them made mistakes; they all were imperfect; they all sinned.  And most significantly, no matter their contributions to history or society, they all died and were done … even if their teachings or advances live on.

Jesus is on a totally different level.  He is the eternal God; he always was, and he always will be.  His birth on earth was just a continuation of his existence.  He never ever sinned – his holy life a perfect sacrifice for the sinners of all time.  (Including everyone else on the top 100 lists!)

Though he had boundless power, he excelled in and exemplified humility and love instead.  To the point that he, the almighty God, offered himself to be tortured by humans he had created … suffering and dying even for his tormentors (and for you and me!). 

And yes, as true Man he did die … willingly giving up his life in atonement.  But unlike all the other “greats,” death could not hold him; on Easter morning Jesus exited his tomb – his daunting task of redemption completed.  He lives on in victory, and he always will! 

No one else on any list did that.  No one else who ever lives will either.

Our sins are paid for!  Our salvation is secured!  Our hope is a certain hope!  Our lives are immeasurably better than we could have ever dreamed they could be.  We are loved by God himself!  

Jesus is the greatest of all time.  No one else even comes close!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Philippians 2:6-11
Christ Jesus, … being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 2:9, 13-15
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form … When you were dead in your sins …, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

John 20:30-31, 21:25
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. … Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.