W. B. J. Martin recalls...
Illustration
W. B. J. Martin recalls an aged saint who had tirelessly struggled alone on a mission field in a remote part of the world. Owing to his failing strength, he was much relieved to receive word that the Mission Board had finally arranged to supply him with an associate.
In a matter of weeks, the new assistant, fresh out of seminary, arrived by boat at the mission station. The old missionary was joined by the Chief and elders of the tribe, at the dock, to formally welcome the long-awaited reinforcement. Tribal members, keeping a respectable distance, anxiously strained to satisfy their curiosities.
A brief ceremony was conducted and the new assistant was asked to make whatever remarks he felt appropriate. Full of himself, he said something to the effect of "Mortals who traverse this transient plane must be cognizant of the infinite and cosmological juxtaposition of the everlasting Logos and historical manifestations related to the contingencies of human temporality."
The aged saint pondered for a moment how he would translate the message. Wisely, he said, "Friends, he says he loves you and is glad to be here."
In its simplest rendering, the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, described in our text, told the disciples all they needed to know. John called to Simon, loud enough for all to hear, "It is the Lord." No verbosity, just the announcement of a startling fact. We have not yet improved upon that approach.
In a matter of weeks, the new assistant, fresh out of seminary, arrived by boat at the mission station. The old missionary was joined by the Chief and elders of the tribe, at the dock, to formally welcome the long-awaited reinforcement. Tribal members, keeping a respectable distance, anxiously strained to satisfy their curiosities.
A brief ceremony was conducted and the new assistant was asked to make whatever remarks he felt appropriate. Full of himself, he said something to the effect of "Mortals who traverse this transient plane must be cognizant of the infinite and cosmological juxtaposition of the everlasting Logos and historical manifestations related to the contingencies of human temporality."
The aged saint pondered for a moment how he would translate the message. Wisely, he said, "Friends, he says he loves you and is glad to be here."
In its simplest rendering, the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, described in our text, told the disciples all they needed to know. John called to Simon, loud enough for all to hear, "It is the Lord." No verbosity, just the announcement of a startling fact. We have not yet improved upon that approach.
