By Doug Redford
July 20 of this year will mark 54 years since the Apollo 11 moon landing. The crew consisted of three American astronauts: Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong.
Even back then, some folks adamantly refused to believe a man had walked on the moon. “Why, on TV they can make anything look like it happened,” some claimed.
Millions of Americans watched the landing on CBS television. Walter Cronkite was at his news desk covering the landing. Cronkite was considered “the most trusted man in America.” This man, who was accustomed to speaking to people every night, heard the words of the crew when they touched down on the moon: “The eagle has landed.” And he was speechless. You can still watch the YouTube clip where Cronkite takes off his glasses and simply says, “Whew!” It was hard to believe that human beings had landed on the moon.
Neil Armstrong, who took the first steps on the moon, said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
But as amazing a feat as it was for man to walk on the moon, it could not compare to the “giant leap” that occurred when the Word became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14).
On one occasion, Armstrong said he considered himself an ordinary man who was privileged to do some extraordinary things. But when God became man, an extraordinary being determined to come to earth as an ordinary man.
Jesus’ sinless sacrifice at the cross for all of humanity’s sin was the reason he made that giant leap to earth. The only thing comparable might be the giant leap we who have faithfully served Jesus will make when we move from earth to Heaven to be with our God forever.
At Communion we remember both “giant leaps.” We look back at Jesus’ sacrificial death for us, aware that without his giant leap from Heaven to earth we could not be saved. We also look forward to the coming of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:26), aware that we await our own giant leap from earth to Heaven, at which time we might exclaim, “Whew!” (and much more).
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
