The other day I came across a list of the simple pleasures of life...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"Wrong Experts"
October 4, 2017
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (ESV)
The other day I came across a list of the simple pleasures of life.
On that list were things like soft pajamas, holding hands, a light snow on Christmas, watching a first-grader suddenly understand something, not having to set an alarm clock for tomorrow morning, taking a family picture where everyone's eyes are open and smiles are sincere.
The person had apparently spent some time putting together the 100 items on their list.
I agreed with some - didn't understand others. There was one item that I thought was noticeably absent. You may disagree with me, of course, but I think most people would put on their list finding out an expert was wrong.
Fifty years of human observation have convinced me there are few things which give greater pleasure than seeing an expert proven to be wrong. Yes, it's probably petty, and just a little juvenile, but it's true. Think, what is your reaction when you hear experts predicted train travelers would get nose bleeds if they exceeded the blinding speed of 15 miles an hour? Don't you smile?
You might smirk when I tell you Joshua Coppersmith was once arrested in Boston for selling stock in the telephone. Why was Coppersmith arrested? He was arrested because the experts knew the human voice couldn't be carried over a wire.
Most people find it makes them feel good when an expert is proven wrong.
Years ago, I was invited to attend the 55th wedding anniversary of a really neat couple. They were pleased as their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren eulogized and congratulated them. Then the gray-haired groom got up and said "Thank you." He continued: "This has been a satisfying day to have so many of you gathered here and hear the things you've said. But it's most satisfying to know our parents were wrong when they told us, "Our marriage wasn't going to last."
People like it when an expert is proven wrong.
Have you seen the joyful tears of a mother who gazes upon a newborn baby sleeping by her side? The mother cries because the experts have been wrong in telling her she would never have children. And you know what, the experts - the ones who had given her that sad news - cry right with her. The experts are just as glad as the mother that they've been proven wrong.
If you want to see a great group of experts be proven wrong, read the four Gospels.
There you will see almost every expert on the Messiah proven to be wrong. Listen to them as they call Jesus a liar, a Samaritan, demon-possessed, and insane. They said He was frightening, a magician, a heretic, a blasphemer, a threat, and someone who was too dangerous to let live.
The truth is Jesus was none of those things.
He was the Son of God, the Savior of the world. He was innocent of any sin, yet He carried our transgressions to the cross where He died the death we deserved. He was hated by many, but He loved us so much He became our heaven-sent ransom. He defies the experts, but still touches the little ones and brings hope and salvation to all who count Him as Lord.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, many great human minds still do their best to pronounce their negative opinion on Jesus. Grant that, when it comes to Jesus, we may listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and Your Word, so we might not be led astray. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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