


A Tribute to the Unknown

I wish I knew their names.  It is great to hear their stories, but I feel frustrated that I have such limited knowledge of the fuller picture of their lives.  From what little I do know about them, I am very curious.  But the reality is that there is nowhere that I can discover new information.  Their lives are now lost among the millions of people that have lived before us and details about them were not recorded.  I just talk about them without many specifics.  Surely, you have had questions too.

Here are just a few of mine…

  1. What was the name of the slave girl who told Naaman where he could be healed of leprosy?
  2. How many wise men were there and what were their names?
  3. What was the name of Mary’s dad?  What was his occupation?
  4. What was the home and family name of the little boy who presented five loaves and two fish to Jesus?  Was he there with his family on that day?
  5. Who was the one leper that came back to thank Jesus when nine others went their way?
  6. Who was the adulterous woman? Who was her husband?  What was her name?  Who was the man involved with her and why was he not also brought to Jesus?
  7. What impact did Legion have once he was free of demons and returned home?
  8. What was the name of the woman at the well in Samaria?
  9. Who was the lady with the issue of blood?  Did she have a family?  Who was she before her malady “defined” her?
  10. Who was the person that provided the donkey for Jesus to make the Royal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?  Who was the owner of the home with the upper room?

Seemingly, our culture is completely enamored with those who are famous, wealthy, and live a life that others “think” that they would like to have.  But, the truth is that their lives have heartaches, disappointments, set-backs, and pain just like every other person.  When the “rich and famous” have that moment when their world crumbles, even then, they are not allowed to deal with their heartbreak in privacy. 

Choose to remember that it is the common folks that build nations.  That man and woman who love each other, rear their children to be Godly, and rejoice in the joy of others around them…they are the backbone of history.

Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success.

It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are not honored and unsung. (James R. Sizoo).