Abraham Lincoln – Jan. 8, 1864
I just finished listening to the audiobook Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. The book was very informative and written for a popular audience as a thriller.
I can’t say I enjoyed the book though. I have always revered Lincoln. I love history and have studied the Civil War since childhood. Lincoln has long been a hero of mine. His leadership ability was remarkable. I was surprised at how little I actually knew about his assassination. Yet, this book was really difficult for me to enjoy.
The book focused on the evil and pride-filled plan of John Wilkes Booth to kill Lincoln. I found myself wanting to change history. Dreading the actual murder, hoping that it would turn out differently. I was saddened by the evil deed and disappointed to consider how things might have been different.
This caused me to reflect on the death of Jesus. To my own discredit, I realized that I felt more emotion at reading a book about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, than I do when I read through the gospels. I was disappointed in myself. Yet, I fear I am not alone in my casualness, and yeah even callousness to the old Jerusalem story. Christians can feel more emotion at watching a commercial for abused and neglected pets, than is felt at the weekly observation of the Lord’s Supper.
The Jewish people on Pentecost were “cut to their heart.” (Acts 2:37). This greek word means “to prick, pierce, metaphorically to pain the mind sharply, agitate it vehemently, and is used especially of the emotion of sorrow” (Thayer). It was our sins that put Christ upon that cross (Rom. 5:6-11). It was our Creator, Savior, Lord, and Friend that was betrayed, spat upon, beaten, and pierced through with nails.
Just because we know the story, doesn’t mean it should be any less emotional. The gospel is an emotional story that should prick our hearts. I am reminded of the story of the aged David Lipscomb officiating at the Lord’s Table with tears flowing from his eyes as he reflected upon the death of Christ.
May God help us all to remember with the heart, as well as the mind, what our Lord did on our behalf.
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal. 6:14)
