Interestingly, famous personalities often receive little... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
Isaiah 53:2

Interestingly, famous personalities often receive little attention in their hometowns. This was also the case on July 20, 1969, when astronaut Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) became the first person to set foot on the moon. He coined the famous expression, "That's one small step for a man, but one giant leap for mankind". Armstrong's great-grandfather came from Ladbergen in Westphalia, Germany. In the town, however, people took only passing notice of the moon landing - because at the time, many preferred to celebrate the local marksmanship festival.

2,000 years ago One was born, who was also paid little attention to, and who was completely misjudged by men. For them He had "no form or comeliness", and when they saw Him, He had no beauty that they desired Him (cf. Isaiah 53:2). They rejected Him, delivered Him up, and crucified Him because they didn't want Him!

You know who we are talking about: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became man, lived here and did good, and who was rejected and crucified. Incomprehensible! God became man - and people ignored and rejected Him. But He came because He wanted to save us and reconcile us to God.

Even today there are people who ignore Jesus Christ, treating Him with indifference. The people of Ladbergen at that time only missed a unique event in world history - perhaps annoying, but not tragic. But to "miss" or "misjudge" Jesus Christ and His saving act on the cross of Calvary would be disastrous.

Today's reading: Numbers 21:16-35 · Matthew 13:18-23