What Else Are We Missing?

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm 147

Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:1-18

Even though this date came to mark the highest point of the calendar used by most people around the world today, the birth of Jesus the Christ came in almost absolute obscurity. More people noticed the lavish displays of power of the Roman Herod and the religious pomp of Caiaphas, the Jewish High Priest. Even Barabbas the revolutionary was more popular in his adult life than Jesus; people clamored for the revolutionary while they condemned the rabbi. We may conclude that, given the overwhelming public disdain for Jesus, this Rabbi and his teachings are best left behind as either an odd historical spark or a quaint heartwarming/heartbreaking legend. None of us serious people should be expected to take anytime looking at Jesus. Under the present circumstances of global warming, financial crisis and social injustice, paying attention to Jesus, one may think, is a complete waste of time.

The Gospel of John begins with the opposite attitude: The Word Made Flesh is absolutely central to creation, life and purpose. In John’s writing the superlatives abound: Everything was made through him/Nothing was made without him. And yet a sobering minor note is played in this bombastic poetic symphony: “…the world didn’t notice (John 1:9, The Message).” Should people living 2000 years after the birth, ministry, crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus be expected to care for a history that didn’t even make the charts on its own day?

Popularity charts are important nowadays. A YouTube video gone viral can lead to fame and fortune. Greyson Chance, the kid that performed Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi at his elementary school recital became a YouTube sensation (over 35 million views). He later performed at Times Square as part of the New Years Eve Concert and was televised on NBC to millions of viewers. Popularity can be an indicator of amazing talent and extraordinary skill…sometimes. While the greatest artists of our time go ignored by YouTube, people can’t seem to stop watching Charlie biting his brother’s finger (over 265 million views!).

Many people have wondered out loud whether Jesus would be recognized as the Messiah, the Son of God if he came to live among us today. My answer: without a hit video of himself walking on water he probably wouldn’t have a chance. But if humanity missed the truly most important visitor in history, it is fitting to ask: what else are we missing? How many things come by us and past us every day without our noticing them? Is it possible that, because of hurry and distraction, we are ignoring God’s presence and God’s work in our lives?

Joshua Bell, a violin prodigy that performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 18 and has performed with every major orchestra in the world performed an experiment one cold January morning in 2007. In a busy subway station in Washington DC, standing next to a garbage can, Joshua Bell performed for 45 minutes. Only hours before he had played to a sold out audience with tickets costing over $100.00 each. The result of the experiment was predictable and sobering: only a handful of people paid attention to the master violinist and only one person actually recognized him, out of a crowd of over 1,000 people.

Every Sunday around the world, people gather in mostly small groups, many in the obscurity of chapels and cold warehouses, to pay attention and listen to the symphony that Christ brings about throughout history into the world as announced by the evangelist: “In the beginning was The Word…” In the hustle and bustle of life, will you stop and listen?

Pastor Alejandro Sotres