He nicknamed himself “The Greatest” and few disagreed. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942, Boxing Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Ali died earlier this month. He wasn’t the first personality to step onto the world arena who eventually earned enough public recognition to be branded with a bigger than life nickname!
In the twentieth century, Elvis Presley was “The King” (reportedly responding to the title when he first heard it by saying: “only Jesus is King”). John Wayne was “The Duke”. Then there was the singer who called himself “Prince”. It seems to me as if we are subliminally longing for a monarchy!
Let’s not forget, reaching all the way back to 356-323 B.C., the king of Macedonia, conqueror of Greece, the Persian Empire and Egypt – Alexander the Great. These “Legends” have one thing in common; they are dead! “…it is appointed unto men once to die…”(Hebrews 9:27 King James Version). That means the rich, the poor, the powerful, the weak, royalty, presidents, the average person and legends! The Bible teaches no second bite of the apple; no second go around. This is it! That certainly distinguishes Biblical Christianity from eastern religions.
Francis Bacon wrote: “Men fear death as children fear to go into the dark.”
Death comes to all of us...an obvious statement.
How we die differs. How we approach death also differs. The followers of Christ see life beyond the grave. C.S. Lewis expressed the perspective believers hold about our own death: “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
When legends die they are remembered in the pages of books and magazines until the pages yellow with time and blow away in the wind. But, if they have put faith and trust in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, then their names are written in God’s Book of Life. While their legend may not live on, they will live on. At home, at rest, at peace in heaven where they will meet “The Greatest”, “The King”, and “The Prince of Peace.” The only one worthy of our praise, Jesus Christ!!!