In what ways is Jesus greater than all the other greats of history?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament predicted a figure whose greatness would surpass all human rulers because He would share in God’s own identity and work. Prophets spoke of a child called “Mighty God” who would reign forever (Isaiah 9:6–7), a ruler from Bethlehem “from ancient days” (Micah 5:2), and a “Son of Man” who would receive everlasting dominion from the Ancient of Days so that all nations would serve Him (Daniel 7:13–14). These promises prepared readers for a Messiah whose greatness was not just extraordinary, but divine, pointing ahead to Jesus.

from the new testament

• Jesus’ greatness is rooted in His identity and work: He is God the Son who became man without ceasing to be God. Paul wrote, “He is the image of the invisible God,” and “by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15a, 16). Notice that this means all of history’s “greats” were created by Jesus! That alone shows that Jesus is on a completely different level than others in history.
• Being the image didn't just mean He was merely God-like. Instead, we learn that before the Son added humanity, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1–2). That is, the Son was both with God and is God. Dividing everything into two categories, on one side is God and the other is all of creation. Jesus is the eternal God, and therefore, completely unlike anyone in history.
• Jesus, however, “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6b–7). Jesus’ superior greatness extends to His humanity. The eternal God was willing to humble Himself to become the most insignificant human, giving up all He had, so He could give us life.
• However, even though He is fully human, He is still fully God. Even as He lived on earth, He was still sustaining all of creation. Paul noted, “he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). So, not only was every “great” human created by God, but He also held them together. No great conqueror, scientist, or philosopher has ever sustained their own life, let alone the lives of everyone else as well as the cosmos!
• His saving work is also unmatched. Jesus’ sacrifice was unique because He was a perfect man dying for sinful men and women. This is why Peter said, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). For His part, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Paul explained, “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5–6a). What made Jesus truly great was that He could do what no other human was capable of doing. He lived perfectly and therefore did not have to die (Romans 6:23a). Yet, He did so willingly as a sacrifice for humanity.
• Because of Jesus’ faithful obedience, God has exalted Him above every other earthly authority. Paul said, “he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20–21). It is because of this “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). One day, He will return to judge the world, wearing the title “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11–16). That is, even the greatest human will one day bow down to Him, being judged by how they responded to the true, uniquely great Jesus.
• In His time, Jesus was challenged as being just human. However, He responded to such accusations with statements like, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). By using the divine name (“I am”), He was asserting eternal existence and unity with the Father. He also said, “I and the Father are one,” (John 10:30) and “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). While there were, indeed, great spiritual men in the Bible and throughout history, they were merely men. Jesus, however, was fully divine, in a completely different category from great men, with surpassing and authoritative greatness (Matthew 7:28–29).

implications for today

There is nothing wrong with honoring historical heroes who lived great lives. However, none of them can save you, and each of them is sinful and made mistakes in their thinking, logic, life, and relationships. There is only one who can save, and that is Jesus. As fully God, He is upholding you at this moment. As fully human, He lived perfectly, never sinning even once, unlike anyone else. Because of His perfect life, the Father was pleased to allow Him to be killed as though He had done what you did, so you could be freed from the eternal punishment hanging over your head (John 3:36).

How do you benefit from Jesus’ great work? First, you must admit that you are sinful and repent that you are incapable of saving yourself. Second, you must believe in who Jesus truly is. It’s not enough to only believe things about Him (like, “He was a great man”). Instead, you must believe everything about Him, especially what makes Him uniquely great as the world’s Savior, His uniqueness as both fully God and fully man. Third, you are called to turn away from your sin and follow Him.

When you do, the Father who sent Jesus will gladly welcome you as His son or daughter, counting you as righteous—not because of you, but because of Jesus. The result is eternal life with the promise to dwell with God forever.

Trust in Him today!