Articles
Did I Say That?
Sometimes folks say things that just make you want to scratch your head and wonder if you heard or read correctly. Here’s but a few examples of those kinds of remarks that tend to demonstrate the dangers of ill–advised articulating.
"I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go." — Barack Obama
“I have opinions of my own—strong opinions—but I don’t always agree with them.” — George Bush
“Don't fear the terrorists. They're mothers and fathers.” — Rosie O'Donnel
“If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.” — Brooke Shields
"If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there's still a 30% chance we're going to get it wrong." — Joe Biden
“I think religion is a neurological disorder.” — Bill Maher
“I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.”—Al Gore
Mirriam-Webster defines "misstate" as "to state incorrectly : give a false account of"". <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misstatement> Now, given that a "misstatement" is "incorrect" or "false", I've got to hand it to the former VP for pure gumption. Sure seems to me that any statement that's "incorrect" or "false" would be pretty hard to stand by; Might just be there's some considerably harder than others.
Take the apostle Peter, for example. He will forever be (in)famous for “misstatements” such as, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” (Matthew 26:33) and following that right up with the equally misstated, “I do not know the man” (v 72)
But way before then, in a less troubled time, circumstance, and place, Peter was responsible for another really big “misstatement”. Maybe not one so well known as some others but still one more than worthy of consideration. The scene was the Mount of Transfiguration and Peter, along with James and John, was witness to Moses, Elijah, and Jesus standing together. He saw three of the greatest men of God in one spot and came up with a not so good (really bad) idea.
“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” (Mark 9:5)
And then Mark threw in the fact that Peter said this because…”he (Peter, that is) did not know what to answer;” (Mark 9:6a ) and that they (Peter, James and John) were“terrified”. (Mark 9:6b)
Not knowing “what to answer” and "terrified" notwithstanding, Peter may have uttered his greatest “misstatement” of all by wanting to give Moses, Elijah, and Jesus equal treatment. God provided the answer Peter didn’t have.
“Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!’” (Mark 9:7)
Now, you might rightly argue for your own choice of the greatest “misstatement” of all time whether it be Al Gore’s, Peter’s, or whoever else’s you choose.
You cannot, however, argue about the place of Jesus. Moses and Elijah cannot take it. Neither can Mohammad, Buddha, or Confucius. Nor can any other man who’s ever lived.
Peter made no defense. He made no excuses. He made no attempt to “stand by his misstatement”. He simply accepted the truth when he heard it from the mouth of the Lord.
How much better would the world be if everyone did just that?
