If you were born in the 1950’s or before, you undoubtedly remember February 9, 1964. That’s fifty years ago this evening! It’s so hard to believe that Ringo is seventy-three now, Paul seventy-one! And, unfortunately, they are the only two Beatles still alive – that band from England that took the U.S. by storm that evening when Ed Sullivan announced them for the first time on American television.
Like many Americans this evening, I am watching the Grammy salute to the Beatles and it is so interesting for me to see the interviews with the ladies who were in the audience on that fateful evening – the evening that launched a new direction in music and the careers of countless stars – including Billy Joel and so many others. In short, John, Paul, George and Ringo changed the path of American music and suddenly it was okay to think outside the box. I was getting ready to celebrate my 11th birthday and the truth be told, I probably would remember a little more about the night if I had been ever so slightly older. It is noteworthy, however, that their music is timeless and several generations have become as enamored with the Beatles as those of us who witnessed their television debut on Ed Sullivan.
I was at my grandparent’s home that evening for dinner – like we were each Sunday evening. And grandpa had to be able to sit in front of the television and watch the Ed Sullivan Show each week at 7 pm Central time. It’s safe to say that the evening of Feb. 9th changed the way a generation thought – it’s as simple as that.
But you know something? There was another person in history who changed everything – and He was much bigger than the Beatles. His name was Jesus. Until the advent of Jesus, as God in human form – as the Son of Mary and her husband, Joseph, the world was under the Old Testament law and ever since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the world lived in the shadow of original sin.
The decision of God to send His Son into the world to redeem it and allow people to be gathered back to God is the greatest act of love that has ever been expressed in the history of creation! Not only did God create man in His own image, but after the fall, God provided a way for man to be eternally reunited with Him – by accepting the free gift of salvation offered by proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Yes, the Beatles changed the way we thought about life – but Jesus provided a way that we can live eternally with Him.
The verse for this evening is the foundational verse of the entire Bible. From John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Now that changed everything! My encouragement this evening is that God wants to change you and by accepting Him as Lord and Savior of your life, you can enjoy eternal life. My prayer is that you will trust God with all your heart and realize that it just doesn’t get any better than this. The Beatles were great – but eternal life with God is the most important thing that can ever happen to you. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…