by J. Randal Matheny, editor
So many celebrities have died recently, it reminds one of the death, in 1715, of King Louis XIV of France, after a reign of 72 years.
He had called himself “the Great.” The monarch had made the infamous statement, “I am the state!” (Grandiose political statements are perennial.) His court was considered the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular.
As Louis’ body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a single candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial service, thousands waited in hushed silence.
Bishop Massilon rose to speak. Reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”/1
At the cross, and before the empty tomb, as the rich and famous and powerful wither and die, around the table of the Lord, we declare, “Only God is great!”
Or better, like Thomas who threw himself at the feet of the resurrected Christ, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
_______
1/ Adapted from http://is.gd/1nQxd.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

J. Randal Matheny

Servant of the Lord at GoSpeak

Randal and his wife have lived and worked in Brazil since 1984. They have three children, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Randal's a lefty, a chocolate lover, an author and a poet. His microblog is randal.us.

Latest posts by J. Randal Matheny (see all)

• This gift is direly needed in the church - 2019-05-20
• 26 Biblical points on sex and marriage - 2019-05-13
• Sundries: Sex, memory, and a bad sort of minimalism - 2019-05-06