For many years I have been known as Theresa’s husband, which is fine
because you’re not and I am. When growing up my older son was known as the
dinosaur kid, because of all the dinosaur shirts my mother made him and he wore
every day. My younger son was known as the dirt bike kid, after the movie of
the same name, he memorized all the lines by age 5. And throughout the years we
have met people identified as Bill’s kid sister, the guy who lives on the
corner, or the man in the corner cubicle. We know who they are, but who are
they, we don’t know their names. But fame can be an enduring thing, even if no
one knows who you are. Take a Mr. Schwump on the Andy Griffith Show. He was in
26 epiosdes, but never spoke a word, but was seen with Andy and others. But no
one until recently knew who this uncredited man was. What was his real name?
It turns out he was Patch S. Wimmers, I prefer Mr. Schwump. It must have taken
some talent to work in such anonymity for so long. But how many people do we
know about, may have even met, yet don’t know their names?
This is not a new concept, as many are mentioned in the Bible, but we don’t
know their names. What was Jairus’s daughter’s name? What was Lot’s wife’s
name, Mrs. Lot? Can we say the same of Mrs. Job? Key people in scripture, yet
unnamed. Mention Joseph and Mary, you think Jesus. But the night He was born,
they spent at an inn. What was the innkeeper’s name? Certainly he was
important that night. How about another innkeeper, the one left in charge of
the wounded man left by the good Samaritan? Come to think of it, what was his
name and the name of the wounded man? Still with me? How many times have you
heard the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus when accused by a little girl. What
is her name? Today every Lois Lane would be rushing to interview her, we would
know all about her, and some things we don’t want to know. But her name, what
was it?
Take the story of a little boy, brought to Jesus by Andrew. All he did was
give some fish and loaves to Jesus so He could feed the 5000. What is his
name? But Jesus knows his name, and He knows mine and yours too. He knows my
name, and He can tell me from all the other Mikes who ride and are married to
Theresas. He even calls me friend, how cool is that? And so it goes, so many
who have labored in obscurity, unknown to all but Jesus. But yet there are some
mentioned in Matthew 25, who were seeking recognition, they bragged to Him how
the prophesied, or cast out demons in His name, and yet He rebuked them, saying
be gone, He never knew them. It was all about themselves. But when it is all
about Jesus, He answered by telling us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
give water to the thirsty, and visit those sick or in prison. How many times
have you welcomed strangers, yet Jesus tells us to here? And He goes on saying
if we did it to the least of them, we did it to Him. Want to spend time with
Jesus, go out and be nice to them. Now, would we want our names mentioned
here? Think about it, a little of lady is surrounded in heaven by many, and you
ask “who is she?” And Jesus introduces her as the woman who gave two mites, all
she had. Have you seen this woman before? Maybe on the streets? Was she a
Lazarus you stepped over? Did you offer her friendship? Would she know your
name?
They are out there, laboring without recognition for the gospel. Maybe the
guy in the cubicle down the hall. The old guy in the corner house. The young
girl in the Mustang. Or the little kid looking for his mother. We know them,
we just don’t now them, or their names. But Jesus does, and He loves them just
as much as He loves you. How would Jesus describe you to them?
And so I don’t mind being introduced by Pastor Ray as Motorcycle Mike, or
being known as the Motorcycle Couple at church. I am proud to be known as
Theresa’s husband. And a friend of Jesus. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”
can be a scary opening line, take the time to get to know people. And their
names. They might even know Jesus, or the little girl from the garden. Someone
somewhere knew who Mr. Schwump was. In heaven you may meet many from scripture,
who want to know all about you, what did you do for Jesus? Would you be
mentioned in the same line with His name?
Do you realize of all the millions of angels in heaven, only
three are named? Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel. You will meet your own
guardian angel some day, and know his name. He knows yours-right now.
Patch S. Wimmers lived a life of fame and obscurity all at the same time.
Just like many of us do today in spreading the gospel. But Jesus knows, and
that is all that matters. In heaven there will be no name tags, and we will
know each other by name. And we won’t worry about what others know, as we will
be without sin or blemish. And I am looking forward to meeting those who Andrew
brought to Jesus, to the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost. The name of the thief on
the cross. Maybe the name of the person in the next aisle in church, who you
have greeted many times, even sung with, what is their name? But you will be
greeted by Jesus, who knows your name. All others will lament in hell, finally
knowing His name too. Only wishing they had known Him here on earth. Never let
it be said that you “never got His name.” There is still time.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com