In our efforts to justify the connection between logic and Christianity, we must ultimately confront the fundamental question – who was Jesus. Was He truly the Son of God? Is He our one, true connection to that higher power we call “God” ?

It is obvious from historical records that humanity has instinctively recognized the existence of a higher power for thousands of years. And throughout human history, mankind has looked to that higher power to provide favorable living conditions and in an attempt to comprehend the life and death cycle of life.

There was one perpetual problem – how to put a face on that higher power.

Once again, historical records demonstrate that the universal efforts to adopt an image to represent that higher power took many forms. Animals were common, perhaps to acknowledge the powers of the natural world. Semi-human “gods” were envisioned, usually in modified form such as giants.

But there was another problem, and it applied to all variations of the “god” symbols. Virtually all worship involved some type of sacrifice to appease the higher power and curry favor.

So, where does Jesus fit into this scenario?

Viewed through a lens of logic, Jesus was the perfect solution to both problems.

When Jesus was born, He was born into the Jewish community which had already accepted the concept that God had created the human in His own image. Although they may have still struggled with an acceptable image to represent God, a human form was certainly a possibility.

Likewise, Jesus’ self-proclaimed sacrifice by death on behalf of those who would believe, fulfilled the need for sacrifice to the higher power.

Done deal, right?

Not so fast.

When we apply the title “Son of God” to Jesus, we might question just how special that  title is. After all, when Jesus offered instructions on how to pray, the first words are “Our Father.” That would seem to acknowledge that God is father to all humanity. We are all the sons and daughters of God.

So, what makes Jesus’ claim special?

For most of us, the idea that we are kin to the creator of all things is a bit of a stretch. Living in an age when the concept of evolution is pretty much accepted, we might be more inclined to believe that our ancestral patriarch is more likely some prehistoric baboon than the Creator of the universe.

Jesus, on the other hand, had no such doubts. His evolution was more in the fashion of an increasingly more powerful message of love and compassion. To have taken and maintained such a position when the political and cultural mood was quite the opposite, is hard evidence of His divine lineage.

The ultimate proof, of course, is the crucifixion and resurrection story. That is also where the naysayers draw the line.

So, is it true?

The identity of Jesus as the Son of God, ultimate sacrifice and salvation of all mankind, rest firmly on the validity and core message of this story. And the answer to this is both logical and profound.

While later generations of believers could easily have fallen victim to superstition and myth, the earliest followers of Jesus had no such delusions. The earliest followers went forth boldly, spreading the news based on their own personal experiences. They weren’t just believers, they were witnesses. They didn’t just believe, they knew the truth. And they willingly risked their lives to spread the news.

Now the final and most important question. Why does it matter?

The bottom line of our human experience is that, however we wish to view our earthly existence, we come from that higher power we call God. Beyond that, our spiritual being is a form that we are unable to fully comprehend. Instinctively, we know that we can continue to exist beyond the span of time we call “life,” and our goal is to reunite with our Creator.

The universe and all that exists within and beyond is ours to explore and learn, but there is a price of admission. That price is the need to reunite with God.

And that is why it matters.

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