Charlie Chaplin or is it?

Pastor Bob Jones, NorthPointe Church, Edmonton, Canada, told this remarkable story this morning to lead off his sermon. He researched it to ensure that it was in fact a true story as hard as it is to believe.

In 1915, silent movies were playing in theaters and Charlie Chaplin was already a star. His “tramp” character may be the most enduring icon from the silent movie era, and one of the most imitated characters still.

Chaplin - The Tramp

In 1915, there were contests held in theaters for Charlie Chaplin look-a-likes; one of them was held in San Francisco. There were many entrants all dressed up with the baggy pants, clown shoes, one-button jacket and boler hat. Each paraded across the stage in that well-known wobbly waddle. After some deliberation three finalists emerged and eventually the winner was announced; his name was Bob Hope. Yes, the Bob Hope; a very young and aspiring Bob Hope.

But that is not the best part of this story. Charlie Chaplin himself heard of this contest and, without telling anyone, dressed up as himself and entered the contest. He waddled across the stage with the others probably expecting to be picked out of the crowd; but he wasn't. In fact, he didn't even make the final three! Later, the he asked the judges why they didn't pick him and they told him that he just didn't look like Charlie Chaplin!

The point of the story was to question whether we would recognize Christ if He were standing among us? Do we, like the judges at the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest, have an image of Christ that is not at all Who He really is? Do we really believe in the God of the Bible? Do we dismiss some portions of the Bible because they don’t fit our image of Who Jesus really is?

We need to study the whole Bible to determine Who He really is, otherwise, how can we possibly be ready to face Him on that great and terrible day?