We Are Not Alone

Today’s vocabulary has been ambushed by dreaded words: termination, foreclosure, bankruptcy. Strangling in an unrelenting economic swamp are millions of American employers and employees, families and singles, working and retireds, educated and uneducated, Christians and non-Christians. Disappointment has become the expected rather than a rarity.

Then, along comes the 2012 Olympics with 10,000 of the most skilled athletes in the world – bringing more sunshine into our lives in one moment than any scratch-off ticket could generate. We marvel at these athletes from 204 nations who have devoted themselves to perfection in their chosen sport. Each athlete has determined to exceed their best, knowing that only one wins the gold in each event.

One swimmer – Natalie Coughlin, turning just 20 in August – is the first American female athlete to win six medals in one Olympics. She reflects, “You are very much alone when you’re out there swimming, but you have so many people supporting you back home.”

No, the Olympics doesn’t pay our bills, feed our family or meet our mortgage, but the focused determination of these disciplined participants buoys us to see beyond our daily struggles.

Natalie nails it: Doing it on your own doesn’t mean doing it alone.  The writer of Hebrews concurs, describing Old Testament heroes of faith in chapter 11, followed by “therefore” in chapter 12.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” [New Living Translation]

As in the ancient Greek Games and the modern Olympics, we run as individuals, yet we are NOT ALONE. But are surrounded by a grandstand-full of heavenly heroes who have experienced what we suffer. All gold medal winners, cheering us on in this gut-wrenching side of life.

Jesus, himself, understood life’s ugly side. Shown no mercy. Being alone. End of the rope.  Yet, he is the world champion medal winner - meaning we, too, can win the Gold, if . . . “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith . . . he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” [Hebrews 12:2, NLT] Each time we commune with Christ, we’re reminded, we are not alone.

Top of the Top

He grew up in Palestine – actually in Kerioth, a small town some 20 miles south of Jerusalem. From his earliest years he excelled in numbers, especially in financial transactions.

Simon, his father, had to be amazed at him when he suddenly left the Jewish faith he had been raised in, to follow an itinerant preacher named Jesus. This preacher was not only from a distant northern city, Nazareth, but he also bragged that he was Jehovah’s son.

Why would he leave his family and a promising career? He was at the top of the top in what he did best – money management. But the preacher saw in this young man, one who would help him establish the largest organization in world history – the church. As one of the Twelve he was above hundreds and thousands of promising achievers.

But in an instant, one of the mysteries of life occurred, an event that has been summarized by an eye-witness historian in four words, “Satan entered into him.” [John 13:27]  From that moment history changed – by one satanic-controlled man. We know the rest of the story very well.

He grew up in California – actually in San Diego – in a well-tended enclave of two-story homes. He excelled in science, especially in neuroscience. Robert, his father – a software company manager – had to be amazed at his son’s scientific advancements in college, with unlimited potential. But inner demons gnawed at the character of this promising achiever, and won. In hindsight, the chancellor of his California University said, “He was at the top of the top.”

One of the mysteries of Americans today is far from being understood or summarized. In a devilish two-month plan this acclaimed student became the Batman villain – for real – in a Colorado theater on the opening night of “The Dark Knight Rises.” From the moment the horror exploded in that packed theater history took an ugly turn. And, we only begin to learn the full story.

One story we do know is encapsulated in that itinerant preacher who truly was, and is, and forever will be Jehovah’s son. His love took a traitor’s disgusting betrayal and turned it into the greatest story ever told – the top of the top – changing vile nations and inhuman criminals like no other man. We can attest to that love and grace and power, because he changed us to be his children, and eternally with him, at the top of the top. Today we move beyond horror and anticipate splendor.

Communion on the Moon

A minor detail during the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed the first two human beings on the moon over 45 years ago – Sunday, July 20, 1969 – was an important event for Astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Many remember Neil Armstrong’s now famous words, “One small step for man, one giantleap for mankind.” But who remembers Buzz Aldrin’s words?

Mission Control in Houston had scheduled a quiet time for the 2-man crew to rest after the lunar module landed to prepare for their extra-vehicular activities on the moon’s surface. During these hours Aldrin carried out his own plan. With a wafer of bread and a small amount of wine from a sealed plastic container, he privately celebrated the Lord’s Supper – on the moon.

From a handwritten 3x5 card, Aldrin repeated the words of Jesus, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” Astronaut Aldrin then partook of the wafer and the wine . . . paused for a moment, and then offered a private prayer for the task at hand and the opportunity he had been given. Neil Armstrong, the only human witness, watched respectfully.

Reflecting on his communion observance on the moon, Aldrin explained, “I could think of no better way to acknowledge the enormity of the Apollo 11 experience than by giving thanks to God.”

Jesus also, on the night that he was betrayed by Judas, could think of no better way for humans on earth (and earth’s moon) to regularly acknowledge the enormity of his eternally - purposed death – instructing his followers to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Buzz Aldrin read, “Whoever remains in me . . .” This observance is part of “remaining” in Christ – through the bread and cup – participating in the body and blood of Christ.