On July 23rd as the three astronauts hurled back toward earth. On the last night before their splashdown, they participated in a televised broadcast. The second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin commented:
“This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the efforts of a government and industry team; more, even, than the efforts of one nation. We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown...
During his televised broadcast, Buzz Aldrin, a man of deep faith and a Presbyterian Elder further expressed his thanks as the craft headed home:
He said, “Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past several days, a verse from Psalms comes to mind: ‘When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man that
Thou art mindful of him?’"
Though we may never be able to step on the moon and experience the out of this world views of our universe, we can learn a few things from God’s Word and this incredible experience on how we view life – both the ordinary and extraordinary.
Look at this ancient Passage from Psalm 8:3-4
“When I consider the heavens…”
David, who is thought to be the writer of this Psalm is looking into the night sky and marveling at creation.
As a shepherd, surely this was a common occurrence. As the sheep were settled and as he was able to take time to relax and reflect, he would have undoubtedly taken time to look around at the night sky and marvel in the distant lights.
In our fast-paced, busy world, we need to stop, ponder, and consider
1. Consider the vast expanse of the universe
Take time to look and consider the vastness around us - the immensity of space.
Where did all of this vastnesss come from?
Psalmist – Hand of God – “the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars you put in place.”
Look to the book of Genesis – Opening words say, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” No need for introduction – simply God created. Throughout Genesis 1 and 2 – God speaks the heavens, the earth, the animals, humans into existence.
God is not only the God of the heavens, but also the God of all creation.
Psalm 8:1 – O Lord our Lord your majestic name fills the earth, your glory is higher than the heavens.
The heavens not only display the glory of the universe but the glory of the creator of the universe.
We sit back and marvel at the vastness and the wonder of God – Take time to consider the vast expanse of the universe.
2. Consider our smallness in the cosmos
Who is man?
In the cosmos, we are merely a speck of a speck
Considering the vastness of the universe and our place in the universe can be humbling, however, it is a good reality check.
The vastness of the heavens reminds us: God is God and we are not.
When we as mere mortals can somehow deny that there is a God and deny his existence, we will stumble our way through life.
This misguided pride has been an issue since the Garden of Eden.
Even true for God’s people
Old Testament Job – Point of Frustration, questioning God – God speaking to him from a whirlwind reminds Job of His place. Even in his pain, it was an indictment to his
Job 38
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man, I will question you and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone- while the morning stars sang all together and the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38 1-7
Continued with these questions throughout Ch 38 and 39.
Job 40: Job replies, “I am nothing, how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing else to say.
When we stop and consider, we find that we also cover our mouth in wonder and praise. Though we have questions, we need to come to the conclusion that He is God and we are not.
NT – Paul – describing a life-changing heavenly experience that gave him a new perspective. Speaking in the third person he says,
2 Corinthians 12:2-5 - “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know–God knows. And I know that this man–whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know but God knows–was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except my weaknesses”
Third heaven – Jewish perspective - first heaven being our atmosphere, second heaven being our universe, third heaven being in the glories of the heavenly realm.
Through that experience, he says, there is nothing that I am able to boast about himself – only his weaknesses.
The universe is vast, we are small, but one final incredible thing to consider is the value that God has placed upon us.
3. Consider our value to the Creator
When we recognize the vastness of the heavens and our smallness in the cosmos, it makes the Gospel message even more powerful as we consider our value to the creator.
Gospel writer John begins his Gospel like this…
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
v. 14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and Truth.
Man and woman, the pinnacle of creation – through our fallen state, loves us enough to redeem us.
Christmas story – Angels on high, proclaiming the Birth of the Savior.
God providing a star in the sky for three men from the East to come and worship the baby in a manger
A message of Love - John 3:16: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
The God of the universe has chosen to love us,
I John 3:1 – Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God.
Here where the vastness becomes personal
The vastness and glory of the Lord has come to our town, to our church, to our lives.
Back to Apollo 11 – Mentioned that there were two significant spiritual events that took place on the journey.
Told of the second, now the first. When the lunar module landed on the moon, the two astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were instructed to wait.
BTW kids, The name of Toy Story’s “Buzz Lightyear” was inspired by this Apollo 11 Astronaut.
So, the two awaited on the moon, inside the lunar module. In just a few short hours, they would open the door of their lunar lander and step onto the unknown surface of a completely different world. In the moments and hours of anticipation - before the one small step and giant leap, Aldrin participated in an ancient Christian custom – he took communion.
It was a simple, but profound moment. The astronaut took out some communion bread and a small vial of wine provided by the Webster, TX Presbyterian Church. Part of his personal items that he was authorized to have.
Aldrin got on the comm system and spoke to the ground crew back on Earth. “I would like to request a few moments of silence,” he said. “I would like to invite each person listening in, wherever and whomever he may be, to contemplate for a moment the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his own individual way.”
Then he reached for the wine and bread—the first food or drink ever poured or eaten on the moon. He said, “I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon the wine curled slowly and gracefully up the side of the cup,”
“At the time I could think of no better way to acknowledge the Apollo 11 experience than by giving thanks to God.”
Think of it, with all the hands of influence to make the mission happen, all the technological advances, a significant holy moment occurred. The taking of the bread and the wine to celebrate and commemorate, with thanksgiving the momentous occasion.
And as David concludes in Psalm 8 – “O Lord Our Lord how majestic is Your name!”
As we consider the heavens, as we consider the creator of the heavens, as we consider his glorious gift of salvation, let us all be grateful, thankful for Who He is and for what He continues to do in our life as we continue to lift our heads on high – as we daily proclaim through word and deed, “O Lord Our Lord how majestic is Your name!”
