Hindsight is Always 20/20

We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
- Acts 10:39

The apostles and disciples of Jesus' time were lucky. They got to see everything Jesus did, and hear everything He taught. Believing must have been easy for them. How could you not believe that Jesus was the Son of God after witnessing His life, death and resurrection?

It's easy for us to assume that we would believe in Him without question if we had been there. After all, we're already believers based purely on what other people have told us. If we had seen it all with our own eyes, how much stronger would our faith had been! But is that really true? There were plenty of people who spent weeks, months, even years in Jesus' presence, yet were not convinced of His true identity. They were so unconvinced in fact, that they put Him to death for His claims.

If Jesus had been born in this day and age, how would we have reacted? A man from a poor part of town, with little education, challenging our way of life and our long-held beliefs, and claiming to be God. How would that have gone down? Just as 2000 years ago, there would be believers and opponents. Jesus' miracles and teachings would convert many, and enrage others. Which side do you think you would be on?

Perhaps we should be grateful that Jesus came when He did. Things often look very different in hindsight than they do in the heat of the moment. We can look back over the last 2000 years and see that everything Jesus said was true. His message has endured the test of time, and His followers have been justified. We have a written record of all His actions and teachings, we have the complete picture. As awesome as it would have been to have walked with Him in Jerusalem, in many ways we are the lucky ones.