Going From ‘Who’s Who’ to ‘Who’s He?’

I’m going to give you a brief list of people: Ryne Duren. Luis Arroyo. Ron Perranoski. Dennis Eckersley. Goose Gossage. Bruce Sutter. Mariano Rivera. Rollie Fingers.

 

Any of those names sound familiar? Do you remember any of them? 

 

Each was an accomplished relief pitcher in the Major Leagues. In their heyday, they all were household names for avid fans of professional baseball. Some have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, as is the case with once-famous people in any profession, fewer and fewer people remember them despite their considerable accomplishments.

 

There are many other names I could have chosen, men renowned for coming in from the bullpen in the late innings to save the ballgame. But the point is the same: Fame is fleeting. Though folks may revel in it for a time, the page soon turns, redirecting the acclaim to other people.

 

You can search for information about these individuals on the Internet, and they might have been included in old editions of Who’s Who in America. But before you know it, they’ve moved from Who’s Who to “Who’s He?”

 

This isn’t to disparage the achievements and lives of these men or others. It’s simply true that in most cases the things we’re known for best are soon forgotten.

 

In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon – generally regarded as the wisest and richest man of his time – offered a somewhat cynical view of earthly success, wealth and pleasures. Of which, incidentally, he had determined to experience as much as possible. 

 

He wrote, perhaps with the pen of a pessimist, “There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow” (Ecclesiastes 1:11).

 

Then, to underscore that he was not a theoretical philosopher but someone who knew this firsthand, Solomon complained, “…My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

 

In essence the Israelite king was saying no matter who you are – a celebrated athlete, highly successful businessperson, acclaimed movie or TV star, maintenance person, gifted surgeon, retail clerk, honored schoolteacher or college professor, prize-winning scientist, or even a popular preacher – your time in the ‘limelight,’ so to speak, will one day come to an end.

 

One’s place in the locker room, classroom, office, store, laboratory, worksite or sanctuary will go to someone else. Worldly honors and fame all too quickly fade. In words that echo the sentiments of Solomon, a New Testament passage declares, “…What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

 

Now let me give you another list: Simon Peter; Andrew; James and John, sons of Zebedee; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew; James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. And we’ll add Saul of Tarsus, better known as Paul. Do you recognize these names?

 

By profession they were nobodies: fishermen; a despised tax collector; a political activist; a religious persecutor. Yet today, each is known by countless millions who follow Jesus Christ. All but one – Judas Iscariot – left an everlasting legacy. 

 

Judas, of course, bears the shame of being the greatest betrayer of all time, the one who sold his allegiance to Christ for 30 pieces of silver. But the others are celebrated nearly 2,000 years after their earthly lives ended because of their faithfulness to a divine mission.

 

Shortly before His arrest, mock trial and crucifixion, Jesus had called His followers together and explained the special calling He was giving to them: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). He wasn’t talking about grapes and apples.

 

After His resurrection and just before ascending to heaven, Jesus completed the assignment. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

The apostles remained faithful to this commission to the end, all but one being martyred for never unwavering in their trust and commitment to Christ. Their names, mission, and fruit that truly lasts are remembered today – not because of their extraordinary talents and skills, but because their devotion to the living God.

 

C.T. Studd was a British missionary who served in China, India and Africa. He formed the World Evangelisation Crusade (now WEC International) which continues to minister in many parts of the world. For many people, he is probably remembered best for his poem, “Only One Life,” Toward the end of it Studd wrote these words:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

 

So, here’s the good news. You might not have a household name. Like most of us, you might be more likely to be included in “Who’s He (or She)?” than Who’s Who. But if we’re faithful to follow Christ, seeking to bear fruit that will last as He sees fit, we’ll be remembered where it matters most. For all of eternity.