There are many urban legends surrounding the Model T, from “you can have
any color as long as it is black,” which Henry Ford never said, but most were
because black lacquer dried faster, to inventing the assembly line, he didn’t,
but in 1914 when introduced, he was able to drop the time to build one from 12
hours to 90 minutes, and pass the savings on to his customers. He didn’t invent
interchangeable parts, which made the assembly line possible, but just created a
car for everyman, before Porsche did the people’s car, the VW Bug. He made the
distance between the wheels the same as a carriage so they could follow the ruts
in dirt roads, used chrome vanadium steel for critical parts that made them last
longer, and priced them so anyone, not just the rich could have access to a
car. From being called Tin Lizzie to being chopped up and melted down for two
world wars, perhaps no other car changed the face of the auto world like it.
And from 1908-1927 sold over 15 million, the largest number of any nameplate
until VW passed them some 25 years ago. A car like no other, for a time like no
other, outselling most other car makes combined for some years, in 1927 it was
time for a change, and shutting down the assembly line for months, he then
introduced the Model A. Henry’s Tin Lizzie had become a lady, and would again
sell in record numbers, but nowhere near what the T did, nor with such
affection. From here to obscurity, try to find one at any car show today, from
open car to closed car, to TT truck, to station wagon, they were all things to
all drivers at one time. My dream is one day to learn to drive one, as their
planetary transmission requires three pedals to drive, the third one not a
clutch. Explain that to our two pedal point and steer driver of
today.....
In our world of fuel injection and computers, the T fed a carburetor from a
10 gallon tank by gravity feed, and would go up some hills backward so the fuel
would get there, also for lower gears on a hill. Still started by cranking
until the late teens, and controlling the spark and advance from the steering
wheel, it was as simple as it could be. Anyone from blacksmiths to farmers
could repair them, a detachable head and cast in black cylinders were simplicity
itself. Remember this was the dawn of automobiles, the Otto cycle engine was
new, and gasoline, a product that had little use before the car, and was dumped
as useless. Try to create a product today, a market today, and deliver it to
the public at a low cost that would last for years, yet the Model T did it. For
almost 20 years making its mark, and a mark it has left today.
But cars come and go, so do people. Yet one man made an impact on the
world in only 3 1/2 years, and is still impacting the world today. Unlike the
Model T, he came here, died, but never went into obscurity. Yet today many fear
him, and try to bury his memory, destroy his book, and persecute anyone who is
his follower. Jesus Christ came to earth in obscurity, born in a barn to a
teenage couple of no reputation. Trained as a finishing carpenter, he changed
vocations at age 33, the age a man enters the priesthood, to fulfill his
father’s plan for him, and for 3 1/2 years changed the world forever. When he
was found innocent of all charges, he was still crucified, what did the people
think they would replace him with? A newer model? What he offered for free
they could never have paid for, yet saw so little value in him. Others would
come and claim to be God, to be the messiah, only he could in truth and love,
because he was God incarnate. God got him right the first time, no updates or
new options needed, no new colors or accessories for next year, yet religion has
tried to. And succeeded to a point, but Jesus will always be who he said he
was, no matter what you believe, the truth will always be the truth, and he will
always be.
Yet as many wait for his return, many mock him for not returning. To them
I say if you missed him the first time, I hope you don’t the second. For
afterwards it will not be easy, read Revelation and see. Of course you could
hang around just to prove him right, but he desires you know him and avoid
hell. Unlike cars and motorcycles, it does matter what you drive, and what
drives you. Not driven by his spirit, you are driven by another, only Jesus
will accept trade in as we are. We need a simple gospel again today without all
the footnotes and lessons of scripture. But if you don’t get Jesus, the rest of
it is meaningless, for knowledge puffs up, only Jesus saves. For all, to all,
he is the savior of the world, no matter what you drive. He does what religion
cannot, save. Many have tried another way, only Jesus is the way.
So the Model T may have gone from here to obscurity, Jesus came from
obscurity, and is here today. He died on the cross, but left his spirit like
the song says. “Thank you oh my father, for giving us your son, and leaving
your spirit till his work on earth is done.” The gospel of Jesus Christ, simple
so we can get it, free so we can afford it. In any color you want, not just
black. Not mass produced religion, but a person you can call your friend, as he
calls us friend. His book still is the best seller of all time, isn’t it time
you got to know the man it is about? Just pick it up and read it, no studying
involved, read it like you would a magazine, and find life, excitement, fear and
joy, and all the things in life we encounter, with the answers for the tests of
life provided. Then study if you want, but let the spirit show you the
mysteries of Jesus, and make it personal. Just like the car you fuss over, but
never trade in Jesus for a newer model. After 20 some years the auto world had
changed, the T couldn’t compete anymore. Today religion has changed and is
changing, but still cannot compete with Jesus anymore. Here and obscure, he
wants to reveal himself to you by his spirit. The T was described as practical
and affordable, just like Jesus. Let him change the way you drive today.
Production line religion may be quicker and more efficient, only Jesus is
the model we need with everything included. And at prices you can afford....the
Model T was an essential part of life, almost 90 years have come and gone since
the last one. To never return. Only Jesus is and will return, now what else
can you get for 1920’s prices today? Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and
forever. Today was tomorrow yesterday. And by the way, the black was really
called Midnight Blue...until WWI when they changed to all black. Religion like
legends often get it wrong....don’t you.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com