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Content type: Sermon Poem / Prayer Service / Tribute Incomplete Biography
Body: Cane Creek Friends Meeting 12/28/25. The poem “One Solitary Life” was written by Dr. James Allan Francis. Francis was a pastor and writer who delivered the famous text as a sermon in 1926, and though often mistakenly attributed to anonymous writers, it was published in his book *The Real Jesus and Other Sermons*. The essay powerfully contrasts the simple life of Jesus with the usual markers of greatness, emphasizing His profound impact on humanity. (AI) Francis closes his masterpiece with these words: “All the Armies that ever marched, all the Navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on Earth as much as that One Solitary Life.” What an amazing thought. And to add to what Francis wants us to appreciate, **it really shouldn’t be that way**. It doesn’t make any sense, at all, that the life of a country peasant who lived 2000 years ago could possibly be that influential, until you consider who Jesus is – JESUS IS GOD! Lots of people who lived gave advice on how to live, Jesus isn’t unique there. The Romans crucified tens of thousands of people. Nothing special there either. Yet, Jesus, is so much the central figure of human history. The world mark’s it’s yearly calendar by his birth (Anno Domini – ‘in the year of the Lord’), despite the fact he didn’t do any of the things people would normally associate with greatness. Most of you have heard of Mohammed, the founder of Islam. When Mohammed eventually died after eating some poison food, he left behind parts of a book known as the Koran. Much more importantly, he left armies of tens of thousands of experienced soldiers, most veterans of over 80 battles, and he sent these “armed missionaries” out into the world to “convert” people into his teaching. There is no doubt that Mohammed was an IMPRESSIVE man with a legacy of incredible Worldly Might. When the Siddhartha, aka Buddha, died. The followers, who so enthusiastically passed on Buddhism, were the leaders and nobility of Nepal, right by Tibet. Nepal’s royalty took the lead to continue the work he had started. Buddha lived as a man of Worldly Status! When Socrates died, he had an incredible legacy because of his amazing students. Among those students were Plato and Aristotle, two of the absolute smartest people who ever lived on earth. So, not only was Socrates a man of Great Wisdom, but he left behind a School of Worldly Wisdom unmatched in human history. Jesus on the other hand, did none of the things associated with greatness. He wrote no book to pass on his teachings like Mohammed He had no army to force conversion by the sword. He enraged the princes, the leadership and nobility of the Romans and Judeans to such an extent that they murdered him. He had no brilliant philosophers among his 12 disciples. And when he died, his followers, who were peasants and fisherman, except Matthew who was socially ignored, were scattered. And that should have been the end of the discussion, had Jesus just been an ordinary man, – but He wasn’t. And that’s why we are here this morning. His mission wasn’t to acquire Worldly Might, Worldly Wisdom, or Worldly Status, His mission was to bring undeserving Divine Love. Of course, there are good ethical teachings in Jesus’ words – but His real mission was to reconcile us to God. Saul of Tarsus was the worst enemy to Jesus that he could possibly be, seeking death for any disciples of Christ. But the Risen Christ met him and remade him as Paul. After his conversion, Paul wrote the Philippians a message that was an early Christian Hymn: Phil 2:7-11. Though he was in the form of God, (He) did not consider equality with God a thing to be held onto, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Christ humbled himself to become like us to redeem us. The Father exalted Him, and in exalting Christ, adopted all those who are brothers and sisters in Christ as His children as well. That’s the Good News. By Christ’s Blood, by repentance and turning to God, we are redeemed, forgiven, and made one with Him. Isaiah was directed to bring comfort and peace to a people trapped in slavery for their sin, but his message began with “bad news.” The bad news being, as the Lord told Isaiah, that All Flesh is Grass. Signifying the temporary, fragile, and mortal nature of human life. Which fades like a field flower, contrasting with the eternal, unchanging Word of God. In summary, there is nothing in this life that we can cling on to. Nothing that is trustworthy. Nothing that is permanent. Not health nor wealth. Isaiah explains that anything that we try to cling to will pass away. Only God, and his Word, and his Promises, can last. Jesus, for you and me, would not cling to and would not grasp onto, **His position****,** but took our nature upon himself. Christ, who has no beginning and no end, humbled himself to be born as one of us, in a food trough, in a barn, so that we might receive salvation! Again, does that make sense? YES!! So, celebrate this free gift which He offers of Himself. The Gift of Forgiveness and Redemption by His blood, and proclaim Him as King and Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.
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