The Greeks were intelligent, thoughtful, and creative. No one can look at the cities they built, ideas they cultivated, or temples they erected and not conclude these were people of achievement.  The Greeks contributed enormously to Western civilization in philosophy, art, architecture, mathematics and science.

The Greeks proved the rule: never underestimate humanity.

Still today human endeavors once considered impossible are realized and receive laurels.  In only a few generations the world went from the Black Death to germ theory to penicillin to the virtual eradication of many infectious diseases.  Only sixty-six years after mastering mechanically powered flight Americans sent men to the moon.  Indeed, people have been doing exceptional things since before the pyramids.

Even before the pyramids God observed about the builders of the Tower of Babel, "... this is only the beginning of what they will do.  And nothing they propose to do will now be impossible for them." (Gen. 11:6)  God understands man's potential.

Even in our utterly fallen condition of sin and rebellion against God, human beings are still creatures of vast imagination and ingenuity able to do incredible feats.  This says more about God who created humanity noble than it does about us.  Nevertheless, every human being by virtue of his or her very existence should be treated with dignity as the offspring of God.

That is why, as a missionary, St. Paul never acted condescendingly to the Greeks.  The preached Gospel of Christ is incompatible with arrogance or pomposity.  Even when finding a temple in their capital with the bizarre inscription, "To the unknown god," itself a ridiculous dedication, Paul still conversed with grace and respect.  He did not patronize or demean anyone's convictions.  He was speaking with human beings for whom the message of repentance and Christ's resurrection were intended.  And for that alone all human beings should be looked upon as privileged.  Christ came to bestow His laurels on us all.

Admittedly, Paul was himself someone of outstanding ability.  Even as a young man he oozed competence, talent, and the kind of intellectual prowess to make the best Greek or Roman proud.  Before his conversion to Christ, I think Paul would not have recognized himself at the Areopagus.  Previous to Christ, his genius, his rhetorical dexterity, his commanding presence, zeal, pedigree, and achievement meant everything. (Phil. 3:4f)  After knowing Christ, he called all that rubbish.

Everything changed with the resurrection and its laurels.

What a contrast to the apostle's later ministry when there were those who said of him, "[Paul's} letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." (2 Cor. 10:9) Was Paul offended?

With the truth of the resurrection to proclaim and the victory over death of which to boast, should not Christians feel exceptional or at least a little bit ahead of others?  After all, our message is unparalleled.  Christianity has contributed vastly more to civilization than any empire or generation.  Shouldn't we feel a little superior to the average Joe, not exactly smug or cocky, but at least to some extent, a finer human being?  

If the Greeks foolishly worshipped "the unknown god," let us not foolishly venerate "the unknown Christian," a person who alleges spiritual superiority, counts himself among the moral majority, or ranks himself virtuous.  There is no such Christian.  We don't come according to levels or ranks.

Christians are not favored more than other human beings.  We are not smarter.  We are not better.  We are not more fit or attractive to God.  We are not more worthy, more endowed, or more deserving.  We are not Greeks or Romans, slaves or free.  We are not color-coded or graded AA.

We Christians are personal witnesses of the risen Christ for in Him we ourselves are risen from the dead.  We are a living testament to the God who has made Himself known in Jesus Christ, known in creation, known in our humanity by his incarnation, known by the cross, known by the resurrection of the dead, and known by faith.

Only through Christ then is the true Christian, the true man, the real man known.

For as marvelous and accomplished as human beings are, we all share a fatal flaw, the inability of our arts or imaginations, our talents or faculties to comprehend the mercy of God in Christ or realize the resurrection.  Even human genius has its boundary.  Even the most brilliant man may feel his way toward God yet never find Him though He be ever so close.

Therefore Christians dismiss all distinctions, all status, and all triumphs and heights of man to simply proclaim the resurrection of Jesus to one and all. 

To kings and commoners alike we declare, "Christ is risen."  To the clown as well as to the scholar we gladly deliver this glorious news, "Christ is risen!" 

To the forlorn and to the bold, to every individual and to the whole race of humankind, we herald glad tidings that the One who was crucified has risen from the dead.

Paul makes clear to the Greeks that God "gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." He also commands "all people everywhere to repent."  In this there are no distinctions of merit or preference.  And the resurrection is no exception. 

Easter is the proof that the whole world is pardoned.  Jesus gave his life to the cross for the sin of the world.  The iniquities of all of were laid on Him.  He died and lives again for you and me.  The magnum opus of Calvary and the Easter morn is God's supreme gift replete with life, forgiveness, peace, and righteousness for all.

Christ revealed as risen from the dead is the banner headline announced to the world.

Jesus' resurrection, universal atonement, and merciful love is the foundation of all Christian witness.  The living, resurrected Christ is the life of the world. 

Easter's message is not meant to inspire already smart, thoughtful, and capable people to add spiritual achievement to their human resume.  It delivers rather what the best of civilization and empire could never supply -- redeemed humanity.

Christ has risen, irrespective of anyone's station, achievement, talents, or name.  Our message is of Christ's achievement, His victory, and the resurrection which returns to people the ultimate nobility God always meant for us to receive by His Son.  The risen life in Christ is the only truly fitting laurel for humanity.