The One and Only

Day Eighteen                         

The One and Only                 

Mark 1:1-11

We have grown tired of superlatives. The latest and greatest of any sport, or in popular music, is feted as the best, the most wonderful, the greatest of all time. It is either ignorance or arrogance that causes us to elevate those we admire. Either, we really have never seen anyone throw a football like the latest exponent of the trade, thereby justifying a salary larger than most of us can imagine; or, we choose to believe that our generation has been blessed in ways that previous generations were not. No matter how our parents and grandparents revered Joe Namath or Ted Williams, our chronological superiority makes us doubt that such heroes can rival ours. In the same way, we corrupt simple mathematics to claim that our favorite ball player always gives 110%, forcing those who disagree with us to claim ever-higher impossibilities for those that they favor. Eventually, it leaves us all a little jaded. We have seen too many teenage superstars flare brightly, only to plummet to earth and to obscurity. We have witnessed too many careers cut short by stupidity. The world is full of “nearly men.” Most of our heroes prove to have feet of clay.

So, what are we to make of John’s phrase, when he describes Jesus, the eternal Word, as “the One and Only”? Is this just another attempt to mark a man as unique and special? Is this John’s attempt to claim a slice of immortality for himself, having seen and known and walked with God’s One and Only? Hardly! The claim belongs to Jesus, not to those who follow Him. It is more than a metaphor. John is not trying to say that, as far as saviors go, Jesus is the best. There is, in fact, no hint of comparison in his words. Jesus cannot be compared to any rival, since no such person exists. He is unique. Jesus is the only One to have received His Father’s glory. John enables us to see, albeit fleetingly and partially, into the heart of the divine. There, Jesus is without rival. He is the Father’s One and Only Son. No one can be compared to Him. The glory of the Father is His.

There are echoes of Jesus’ baptism in these words. When He emerged from the Jordan, having been immersed, somewhat unwillingly, by His cousin John the Baptist, a voice came from heaven identifying Jesus as the Father’s beloved Son (Mark 1:11). That is exactly what He is. He is more than a hero. He is the One and Only.

Lord Jesus, You are not one among many. No one compares to You. Yours is the Father’s glory, since You are the only Son. As such, I worship You. Forgive my partial praise. May my “hallelujahs” ring out for You and You alone. Amen.