Well first we need to have a talk about what we might mean by "success"  and also it would be really inriguing to ask Jesus what he thought the goal of his ministry really was.

I believe that Jesus would believe that he fulfilled the specific ministry he was given during his earthly life. In my opinion, he came to demonstrate the love of God in both service and sacrifice, to bring the means of reconciliation and perfect relationship with God to humanity and to be the one who overcomes the world and directs his followers to a better way. I believe he did those things and would therefore see his own earthly ministry as fulfilled. Is "fulfilled" different than "successful" I wonder? In any event, I believe that he would see the full accomplishment of his ministry as a work in progress.

Whether he would be pleased with how his followers are continuing that ministry is another question altogether.

If, as I believe, the goal of Jesus' ministry was the attainment of the "kingdom," and if his kingdom is the awareness, experience, and practice of universal unity and unitive love, then we humans in general are as far away from his kingdom as ever.

Seek ye first the kingdom.

-Jesus

Very early on the religion of Jesus became a religion about Jesus. Jesus would be shocked and appalled.

I think, with Rev.Steves, that his immediate goal as achieved.

I think, with JRT, that one cannot look at today's Christian world and say that Jesus would be pleased with the progress of his teachings.Christianity has, indeed, become little more than a fan club for Jesus.

I think Jesus would view each of us individually if he was asked to evaluate his life and ministry.  He gave a model of living, serving, and giving up life.  His point (in my opinion) was to teach about the Kingdom - that unitive space within  us all where peace and connecttivness resides).  Some people are aware of this - others aren't.

Again in my opinion - Jesus did not walk the earth to start a church (of any denomination).  It might be hard for him to recognise his teachings during many of todays worship services.

JRT

I agree completely.  What Jesus did was highjacked by the institution that made it about him, rather than his way.

IT

Russ

Hi Crazyheart ---Ofcourse Jesus would say his Ministry is a Success, He came to save you an me, to bring us home.His job is to save us from are self He has done this for many, over the last 2000 years. Staring with Mattrew---Mark--Luke------John--Paul-- an many others . As others have said befor me that Jesus is there Lord . I say 2000 years later . He is my Lord , and I give thanks There are many befor me an there I believe   will be many after.If there is but one person left on earth saying Jesus is Lord  His Ministry is a Success.

yes I agree, even for those who are given a 2nd chance by the preaching of  the 2 wittinesses will show the sucess of Mercy and Love, thouse who still  refuse, have made there choice of there own God Given freewill.

actually , the entire bible IS about Jesus, which makes  sense, because Jesus is God

Let's imagine he's 'HERE' looking at this:  he might have wished to avoid that crucifixion bit, and given the path of the next few hundred years, I'm thinking maybe he wishes that not so many people had suffered so horribly.  Likely, his measure of success was reverentially to make clear the path to the kingdom, and many of us have a good idea of it, so that worked out ok.  But I bet his heart breaks at the cost too.

no dough there are those types of  churches, which are also prophesied about  in revelations , but to Judge the intent of all the followers hearts in like manner is a gross injustice

Jesus did not say , this is the way, Jesus said I AM the way, He clearly made it knowing that He is The Door and Only Door

Remembering of course that there are those of us who aren't sure he actually said that.  Or that this demonstrates what he believed about himself.

Which leads us back to the question before the OP question.  What did Jesus believe his mssion to be?

no dough, does that me for people like Me who believe it completely  should not declare  it?

I'm confident that the Risen Lord considers His earthly mission a success.  The more interesting question is how the earthly Jesus would have answered that question during His final days, when, being human, He is apparently vexed by doubts.  Part of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane is "Abba Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me."  Then on the cross, he cries out in the words of Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  I imagine Jesus was disappointed at  minimal implementation of vision of social justice.. 

Not at all bb, but it opens lots of doors for exploration

Depends on a number of factors.  First, let's assume there was a historical Jesus.  Was he a typical religious con man, or did he genuinely care for people?

If a religious huckster in the mould of Joseph Smith or L. Ron Hubbard, then absolutely, Christianity is a success.  It is the largest and most wealthy religion in the world.  Islam is catching up, but of course, Christianity is a commercial success.

If he actually cared for people more than wealth and popularity...it's doubtful he would be impressed.  Weighing the good vs. the bad in Christianity, I see a net negative result.  I know not everybody comes up with the same sum, but you can't escape that the good words of the bible could have been put to better use.  Dammit, if it weren't for all those stupid and hateful words....

I think that Jesus considered his mission to be to teach and demonstrate to people how to live in the kingdom of God in the here and now - how to experience and share God's love with your fellow travellers each day - how the kingdom can grow among us like the yeast in bread.  Did he succeed?  For some people, some of the time - yes.   I believe that through knowing Jesus we can become more aware of the Spirit surrounding us with love and care, compassion and strength - and that we can share this love with others.  Love God, love neighbour, love self.  Yes, if Jesus was concerned about success, this would be the success he was looking for.

And I agree with those who said that Jesus would be appalled to see people worshipping him, rather than the Spirit that shone through him. 

blackbelt

So are you saying that I have to pray to Jesus, rather than to God?

I always felt that the Christian religion was about doing what Jesus would have done, care for the sick, the poor, donate, participate, etc.

I have never subscribed to the Jesus guarding the door to Heaven.  The ONLY way in.

I believe there are many ways in, many prophets showing the way, whether in the Christian faith, or others.

If we subscribe to the Jesus as the ONLY one with the magic key, then we are no better than the radicals from other religions.

IT

Russ

no im not

its also about you as an individual

I believe Jesus is the only door

I disagree, the Door is open to ALL who wish to walk thrugh

I believe every time someone is born again, Heaven celebrates. I don't know if that answers the original question though.

double post.

Blackbelt:

Just curious, is there anything within the Christian faith that would cause you to remain a follower of Jesus, if you found out that Christianity wasn't exclusively the right way?

I mean, if it was just up to you to freely choose which way you wanted to walk, would you still choose the Christian path, or would that cause the whole point of being a Christian to vanish for you? Does a non-exclusive Christianity make any sense to you?

blackbelt

So in other words, it's my way, or the highway.

Pretty non-inclusive, wouldn't you say?

IT

Russ

onewman

Does a non-exclusive Christianity make any sense to you?

Again, I see no difference between Jesus, Mohamed, Ghandi, they are all A way to the truth, not the one and only way.

Any other conclusion makes you no different than the extreme Islamic nut cases.

IT

Russ

Doesn't the "why" matter to you Russ? As in why someone believes the way they do?

Do you claim to be a Christian? Why?

Good morning- Chansen---------------Chansen Wrote-----------

If he actually cared for people more than wealth and popularity...it's doubtful he would be impressed.  Weighing the good vs. the bad in Christianity, I see a net negative result.  I know not everybody comes up with the same sum, but you can't escape that the good words of the bible could have been put to better use.  Dammit, if it weren't for all those stupid and hateful words....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I like what you said here some. You must remember Jesus had no money even to pay tax. He owned nothing no house or lot.You may have heard of the camel going through the eye of a needle.I Believe this could be for the church today.If you have lots of money Chansen , and you come befor God . I would think the first thing God would say , is( what good did you do with it well you lived. ) Matt- 19-24

Is "hookers and blow" a good answer?  I hope so.

I believe it's only Jesus that claims to be God. If this is false then Christianity is the "nut case" if it's true, then it truly has more insight.

So I guess it just comes down to, "who do we say Jesus is?" If he was only human, well then I guess any religion is as good as the next one.

But then, what is a religion good for?

Chansen--  If you did number one ----------Two would prob be your wife Blowing your brains out------------Then three if what I believe is right you could check it out with God your self.

Love is the best religion.

Well, good morning to you, too, airclean.

Love isn't a religion.  It's an emotion.  It's a bond between people.  It's not a belief in a god or gods.

That's true Chansen, "religion" probably isn't the right word, but we do tend to have to create rules to keep us in the "emotion" of love it seems to be a challenge for most humans to embrace it's totality without other emotions taking over.

It would seem that the rules set forth by religions are very good at getting people to not love one-another.

I agree and I think Jesus knew this too.

Then stop looking to religion for your rules.

Man you would make a great disciple, LOL!

Of a con man?  Not likely.  I'm too honest for the career I've chosen.

What makes Jesus a con man? Is it the "son of God" thing?

Consider the people who start religions or cults or sects.  Joseph Smith was a con man.  L. Ron Hubbard admitted his intentions, not like that mattered to his handful of followers.  If there was a historical Jesus, and that is certainly in question, then there is an excellent chance he was every bit the sort of person who gains the confidence of others and exploits it for his personal gain, and only select stories, at least some of them fictional, made it to the bible.  Or, perhaps he was just deluded, like those who suffer from Jerusalem syndrome.  Or, maybe he did really care for people.  We will never know for sure.  But we'll also never really know the minds of many hostorical figures, so there is nothing unique here.

Correction. It is people's twisting of the "rules" is very good at getting people not to love one-another. Jesus talks about loving your enemies. Paul and Jesus talk about what perfect love looks like. Just because some people disregard good teaching does not mean that religion is to blame.

I'm going to ask you a very simple question. Please answer to the best of your ability.

What does B.C. and A.D. stand for? and why does the whole world use it?

For someone that you say supposedly didn't exist, he changed the course of history.

"This Jesus of Nazareth, without money or arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise, than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times (1913, p. 33)."Philip Schaff from his book, The Person of Christ: The Miracle of History

I have been following and reading along.

I think Jesus had a vision. I think he was a reactionary. I think he put foreward his vision and would be very surprised , now, that there are people who created a religion in his name.

I don't think that he even thought of such a thing.

If Jesus was here today, he would get out on the stump and start his ministry all over again because he never gave up giving the same message over and over again. Love God, neighbour and self. Feed the hungry, care for those who mourn , who are sick - the downtrodden in this world that hasn't changedall that much.

I believe its Gods way or the Highway, Jesus is excluslive from everone else , I have trust and faith that He knows what Hes doing, for all believers and non believers alike

what might that be?

honestly, Christianity was the last thing I chose, didn't want to go there, circumstances lead me there & conferment it

BTY, just to make it clear, I'm not saying if one is not a Christian he wont be saved, thats not my call. There are also the 2 greatest commandments of Love that Jesus said you shall be ok if followed.

I believe the only door is Jesus for Christians and non Christians, who gos through those doors only God Knows.

I also believe Jesus absolutely  is exclusive in Divinity & Authority in the natural realm and the supernatural realm