A Response to a Secret Mission

Ten years ago, Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2003, President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to American troops on the battlefront in Baghdad, Iraq. Flying secretly to violence-scarred Iraq at great personal inconvenience and extreme risk, he went to be with the troops and to thank the U.S. forces for serving there. It was the first trip ever made by an American president to Iraq—a mission tense with concern about his safety.
            According to the Washington Post report, the president's plane – its lights darkened and windows closed to minimize chances of making it a target – landed under a crescent moon at Baghdad International Airport. He flew in on the plane he most often uses, and White House officials went to extraordinary lengths to keep the trip a secret, fearing its disclosure would prompt terrorist attempts to kill him. Even the president’s parents who traveled to Crawford, Texas, to spend the holiday with their son, were stunned when they learned of the trip upon arrival at the ranch.
            Some 600 soldiers, who were from the 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, had gathered at an airport mess hall for a Thanksgiving dinner. With the president out of sight, L. Paul Bremer, the chief U.S. civilian administrator, told the soldiers it was time to read the president's Thanksgiving proclamation, a task reserved for the most senior official present.
            "Is there anybody back there more senior than us?" he asked. That was the cue for President Bush, the Commander and Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, to promptly step from behind the curtain. The shocked troops responded immediately with thunderous applause and cheers. The reception was overwhelming and displayed the support of the troops for President Bush and their gratitude to him for coming so many miles to be with them, even for a short time – just 2 ½ hours on the ground.
            The Washington Post said the president joked, "I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thanks for inviting me. I can't think of finer folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all."

            What would you have thought of the soldiers if they had responded with boos, cat-calls, and comments like, “We came for turkey not talking! We are not interested in political speeches! Who cares about George Bush?” You would rightfully conclude, “How ungrateful! How rude! What an inappropriate response!” Or what would you have thought had they not responded at all and essentially ignored him intent on getting on with life and dealing with the harsh realities of their existence. You might add, “How self-centered! How indifferent! What are they thinking?”

            Yet twenty-one centuries ago, a far greater secret mission of sorts was undertaken.  It was undertaken by the most senior official of the universe—the Commander and Chief of the Universe, the very Son of God—Jesus Christ.  He came to be with us. In fact, one of his names—Immanuel—means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).  Yet when he came, his reception by the greatest majority of people was one of ingratitude, indifference, and incredible hostility. The Apostle John put it this way, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not know Him. He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:10-11). What ingratitude! What rudeness!

            But there were some who received the King of kings with joy, like the soldiers received President Bush. John continues, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).

            How have you responded to the coming of the Commander and Chief of the Universe—Jesus Christ?  He has come to you!  He did not come with all of the perks of the President. There was no Air Force One, a special security detail, a secure military base on which to land, and the applause of his troops. Jesus came to earth as a baby. His first accommodation was an animal’s manger. He was cared for by a humble couple, who eight days later, could only afford to purchase for the purification sacrifice two turtle-doves (Luke 2:24) – indicating their poverty. They sought to destroy him (Matthew 2:13-14).

            Jesus did not come on his secret mission to cheer up the troops. He came because His Father, ‘so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). President Bush’s secret mission brought temporary encouragement. Jesus’ secret mission brought the prospect of eternal hope. This season, give thanks for Jesus’ secret mission. It demands our appropriate response.