Napoleon Bonaparte – On the Divinity of Jesus
Talking with General Bertrand who shared his exile, at Saint Helena – 1820
"I know men, and I tell you that Jesus is not a [ mere ] man. The religion of Christ is a mystery which subsists by its own force, and proceeds from a mind which is not a human mind."
Talking with General Bertrand who shared his exile, at Saint Helena – 1820
"I know men, and I tell you that Jesus is not a [ mere ] man. The religion of Christ is a mystery which subsists by its own force, and proceeds from a mind which is not a human mind."
"We find in it a marked individuality, which originated a train of words and actions unknown before. Jesus is not a philosopher, for His proofs are miracles, and from the first His disciples adored Him. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded empires; but on what foundation did we rest the creatures of our genius? Upon force. But Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. I die before my time, and my body will be given back to the earth to become food for worms. Such is the fate of him who has been called the great Napoleon. What an abyss between my deep misery and the eternal kingdom of Christ, which is proclaimed, loved, adored, and is still existing over the whole earth!" Then, turning to Gen. Bertrand, the emperor added: "If you do not perceive that Jesus Christ is God, I did wrong in appointing you a general."
Napoleon whose lust for fame and riches took him to the top and back to the bottom of power, surely was a great intellect. Listen to his observations which identify the essential truths of the gospel so often overlooked today.
“Jesus is not a philosopher, for His proofs are miracles….” We are so caught up in our theology and doctrine, we often miss the wonder and power of His miracles. Napoleon realized them as such. We ignore them or at times explain them away because they are beyond our comprehension. We miss the mystery. We miss the power. We miss the abundant life He offers today.
“Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love…” This one word, LOVE, defines God and describes the life of Jesus. One simple, all-powerful word --- and without it we have nothing but good works. When we miss love as the essence of divine life and union with Christ, we have missed His message --- and His glory.
“The eternal kingdom of Christ” Jesus defined His gospel message with just three words --- Kingdom of God, in places written as Kingdom of Heaven. It appears 101 times in the New Testament, 89 times from the lips of Jesus. It is the focus of His given model for prayer. “Our FATHER [God], who art in HEAVEN, thy KINGDOM COME … .” He tells us to pray it shall COME “this day” and every day “daily” into our lives and homes that we might have His abundant life --- today, tomorrow, and forever. His eternal life --- life in His kingdom --- is to begin the day we were born again. We can live in His kingdom today when we live in Him. His kingdom is not a matter of place, but of person.
The Kingdom exists wherever the King reigns.
Does Jesus reign, truly reign, in your life --- today ?
THINK ABOUT IT
P.S. Napoleon Bonaparte understood so much ABOUT Jesus; I wonder if he KNEW Jesus --- knew Him personally as savior.
Napoleon whose lust for fame and riches took him to the top and back to the bottom of power, surely was a great intellect. Listen to his observations which identify the essential truths of the gospel so often overlooked today.
“Jesus is not a philosopher, for His proofs are miracles….” We are so caught up in our theology and doctrine, we often miss the wonder and power of His miracles. Napoleon realized them as such. We ignore them or at times explain them away because they are beyond our comprehension. We miss the mystery. We miss the power. We miss the abundant life He offers today.
“Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love…” This one word, LOVE, defines God and describes the life of Jesus. One simple, all-powerful word --- and without it we have nothing but good works. When we miss love as the essence of divine life and union with Christ, we have missed His message --- and His glory.
“The eternal kingdom of Christ” Jesus defined His gospel message with just three words --- Kingdom of God, in places written as Kingdom of Heaven. It appears 101 times in the New Testament, 89 times from the lips of Jesus. It is the focus of His given model for prayer. “Our FATHER [God], who art in HEAVEN, thy KINGDOM COME … .” He tells us to pray it shall COME “this day” and every day “daily” into our lives and homes that we might have His abundant life --- today, tomorrow, and forever. His eternal life --- life in His kingdom --- is to begin the day we were born again. We can live in His kingdom today when we live in Him. His kingdom is not a matter of place, but of person.
The Kingdom exists wherever the King reigns.
Does Jesus reign, truly reign, in your life --- today ?
THINK ABOUT IT
P.S. Napoleon Bonaparte understood so much ABOUT Jesus; I wonder if he KNEW Jesus --- knew Him personally as savior.