by Paul Moore
Many of you will recall this short essay about Jesus, but you may not know that it was written by James A. Francis (1864-1928) and originally recited by Bing Crosby. In its simplicity, “One Solitary Life” sums it all up…
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself…
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life
Suppose things had been different…
Let’s imagine for a moment the impact Jesus’ life could have had, if He had been born in this generation with our modern technology and present day understanding of ministry. Imagine how different things could have been!
Instead of being born in an obscure village where few people knew much about him, what if Jesus was born in, say, Los Angeles – or maybe even Hollywood? That way, his birth could have been witnessed by thousands, even millions. From the very get-go, people would have known who this man was and that he was destined for fame and fortune.
Now think of it, why have him born in poverty? After all, we know that it is God’s will for every believer to prosper…right? Why not have him born in a wealthy family – one that could provide all the opportunities that lead to a successful life. Just imagine how much more Jesus would have accomplished had he attended a top-notch university. If only he had been given the chance to experience the American dream…
We are told he worked as a carpenter until he was thirty – what a waste! Why didn’t he start his ministry at say, eighteen? After all, he was teaching the Scribes and Pharisees in the temple at the age of twelve. We’re talking about a highly gifted kid. And what was he doing working in a carpenters shop all those years? What was God thinking? Can you imagine how much more Jesus would have accomplished had he started his ministry years earlier? Instead of just three years, he could have devoted fifteen years in building the kingdom of God. Who knows, he may have been able to plant the first mega church in Jerusalem.
We’re told he never put his foot in a big city and never traveled more than 200 miles from home – that’s crazy. What if Jesus had hit the circuit and toured the big cities of his day? Rome, Athens, Corinth just to name a few. He could have preached to thousands, even tens of thousands. Think how that would have changed the course of history. And consider what he could have accomplished with the modern day use of technology. Heck – with the Internet, cell phones, radio and television, Jesus could have gone global in just a matter of months.
And here’s a big one, if Jesus had only known about the “sinner’s prayer,” he could have birthed thousands – if not millions – into the kingdom during his ministry years. On one occasion alone he had over 5,000 men and their families listening to him while they ate fish sandwiches – you know…that miracle thing with the loaves and fishes. He fed them and (literally) had them eating right out of his hands. Why didn’t he invite them to make a decision to pray right then and there? So many names could have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Instead he just let them slip away. With today’s understand of Christian ministry, we would have to describe Jesus as the “World’s Worst Evangelist.”
Another problem, we are told, is that Jesus had no credentials, that’s right, no credentials! That had to be a downer when trying to work in the religious community. Can you imagine if he had gone to seminary or at least been trained with today modern ministry techniques – he would have been much better equipped to evangelize the people of his day. Who knows, maybe even the Pharisees and Sadducees would have respected his ministry or at least allowed him to ministry along side of them.
Jesus’ lack of sensitivity training was also evident in the way he dealt with people. For example, take the case of the Rich Young Ruler. Why would you tell the guy to sell all that he has and give it to the poor? Of course that’s going to turn him off. That guy was already a righteous dude and had everything going for him. Besides, his tithe alone could have meant big bucks in the kingdom coffers. If that wasn’t enough, it gets worse: Jesus’ message of “picking up your cross” to follow him was way out of line. That message would be a door closer in practically every church in America. Messages like that are certain to discourage and drive people away. What was Jesus thinking? He definitely needed to change his approach to ministry.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see why popular opinion turned against him. When you consider the nature of his ministry, especially in light of what we now know, you could see it coming. What’s sad is that he had the potential for greatness; compassion, insight, spiritual gifts, hard work and determination – but he threw it all away. Instead of endearing himself to the masses, he was constantly offending people with brash statements. The Pharisees and Sadducees on the other hand, knew what they were doing. They knew how to “work the crowds,” intimidate the people and sway popular opinion. Does he learn from their “good” example? No. Instead, He constantly offended people, especially the spiritual leaders of his day. What would happen if someone did that today? Kiss their ministry good-bye – that’s what. When’s the last time you heard a prophet come to town and blast church leadership? It doesn’t happen. Men of God know better today.
In the end it’s no mystery that even Jesus’ friends ran away. What was he thinking anyway – devoting all his time to twelve men? Most of them were losers in the first place. You don’t choose tax collectors and fishermen to build a kingdom. And why limit your time to twelve, when so many others were vying for his attention. What if Jesus had surrounded himself with professionals like: a business manager; that much needed PR guy; a Wall Street financial advisor, and campaign organizer?
It’s a fact that there will always be a few who will be disgruntled with your ministry but if you work the masses you can always find enough support to keep things going. Heck – today you can completely blow it, get into all kinds of sin – and still make a come-back. Jesus’ life didn’t have to end the way it did. Oh if he had only been born in the 21st century…just imagine where we would be today!
