Have you ever met a famous person? What was it like? Once at a football game we saw a Heisman trophy winner. As I took a picture of him with our daughter, a former President of the U. S. and First Lady stepped through a door behind them and photo-bombed our picture. Then our whole family took a picture with the former President. He asked about our church and spoke encouraging words to me as a pastor. I ate barbecue with his dad who was also a former President at Goode Company one day. I heard a commotion behind me and saw a row of limousines as I left the restaurant. The problem was, I didn’t know his dad was there at the time and he did not know me. Oh well. Later we watched an Astros game separated by just a few rows and an intense group of secret service agents.
I wish I could have been there. Do you wonder how Jacob felt when he met Pharaoh? Even more, I wonder how Pharaoh felt when he met Jacob. Who should have been more impressed? To be clear, we don’t know this Pharaoh’s name. But God’s people took their name from Jacob’s new name Israel. Jacob told Pharaoh his age, as well as a little about his heritage before he blessed the king and left. Usually, the greater blesses the lesser. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. What do you make of that?
I suspect once you have met the Almighty and see angels ascending and descending at Bethel, meeting an earthly king is not overwhelming. Jacob knew who Pharaoh was. Pharaoh knew Joseph as the young man he released from prison and elevated to a Prime Minister position. But Jacob was just an elderly shepherd. Perhaps, Pharaoh showed respect to his elder that day. We could do better at this than we do.
Every day we may meet with the Ancient of days, the Almighty God who created the world and sent his only Son to die on a cross to save us. Today, we get to read his words in the scriptures. Having been in the presence of God, we should not be overwhelmed by famous or powerful people. In the end, every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I like to practice so that I will be ready on that day when I am led into his presence. Bow with me if you like. Say it with me, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” He is the most famous One. Do you know him? Once you do, no human will overwhelm you.
