I don't know how many times I've been asked this question:
"If you could talk to any historical person for one hour, who would you choose?"
I'm sure my answer depended on my mood at the time because I really don't have one particular historical figure that I would care to speak with. Today, I think I would choose Charles Darwin to see what he thought about his 'theory' becoming absolute fact even though Chuck specifically said it was just a theory that would prove itself right or wrong in 100 years.
Now, if you asked me what Biblical character I'd like to talk to, that answer hasn't changed in many years. My choice is not any of the obvious people. In fact, my choice is an assumed person who is not even mentioned specifically. Let me explain.
Since the Bible is not meant to be a total history of the world, but only meant to tell us what we need to know (the gist of the story, if you will) then I don't think God minds if we fill in some details to help us understand some of Jesus' illustrations. My character comes from some of the embellishment that has been handed down through generations of Sunday School teachings. It's from Matthew 14, and it goes something like this:
After a long day of miracles and having 5000 people watching their every move, the disciples asked Jesus to send the throng on their way so they could eat, but Jesus told them, "They don't need to go--YOU feed them!"
Disciples: "We don't have any food for US, much less all of them! What do you suggest we feed them with?"
Jesus: "Well, what do you have?"
After some asking around, they found a boy who's mother had packed him a lunch basket before he went out to fish for the day. All he had left was 5 small loaves of bread and 2 little fish.
When they reported back to Jesus, He said, "That's cool. Bring it here."
Then Jesus blessed the food they had and it was enough to feed everybody with 12 basketfuls left over.
Now, of all the people in that story, I'm sure any of those mentioned would be exciting to talk to--they all would have been excited to have participated in such a miracle--especially The Boy with the lunch. But, out of all of those involved, I would like to talk to the kid's mother and see what her reaction was when he brought all that food back home!
Weird? Yes, I know. But that's how my mind works......
6 comments:
Now that is different. Perhaps you are right thought in seeking a witness affected by an event rather than the main character.
I would need more than an hour however. Pretty sure I would enjoy either Mark Twain or Will Rogers.
Your answer did surprise me, and yes, it would be interesting to hear what she had to say.
I guess I would choose Mary Magdalene. I'd like to hear more stories of Jesus.
I think that's a valid curiosity. Eye witness accounts to events are usually more emotional, and leave a longer lasting impression on us.
Love the way your mind works. There's only one person I'd like to talk to and that's my Gran. She's not famous or anything but she's passed away so she is part of my history.
I never would have thought of it but I think it is a very interesting choice and I would have loved to hear the reaction
I love how your brain works! I have some friends whose thoughts have inspired me to think differently. Vive la difference!
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