Bishop Arthur M. Brazier: Greatest Man Who Ever Lived?

Consider the names Superman, Batman, and Iron Man and take note of the first commonality between these characters. There could obviously be a myriad of conclusions that could be drawn concerning their similarities, but chief among every commonality could possibly be that they are imaginary characters we might call "super heroes." Each one, respectively, are strong, indomitable, and brilliant, but are these things only in comic books and across silver theatric screens. In the hearts and minds of child and adult alike, the deeds of these valiant heroes dazzle and excite and even more inspire some to ascend above what they are, yet, these characters are forever beyond the reach of they that follow their adventures. Even when actors, with captivatingly convincing performances personify the very essence of these heroes, reality, like a mercilessly frigid gust swoops in reminding those fans that the "super heroes" are, alas, not real at all. They are in the end just intangible ideas and are of no consequence.
Julius Caesar. Emperor Charlemagne. Napoleon. These names inspire others to bring great dreams to fruition and in others, these names are but reminders of the damning pride of men and the blind folly of they that followed them without reason. Each of these men once held sway over hundreds of thousands, even millions of people and controlled with unquestioned authority (for a time) innumerable acres upon the face of the earth. These mighty men, with stern words and fiery eyes, commanded some of the most feared armies in all of human history and were heads of empires that absolutely and with brutal efficiency ground their rivals and enemies to powder. While these potentates by some are viewed as perfect examples of the pinnacle of human ambition and brilliance, just as many mark them as timeless examples of the depths of the depravity of the human heart. As companion to all their power and, at times spendor, was death- even the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of human beings. Americans in particular, should be thanking God daily for being spared the rule of despotic statesmen as these. Julius Caesar ruled Rome, Charlemagne over the "Holy" Roman Empire, and Napoleon crowned himself emperor over a French empire he wanted to rule the planet, yet one thing more have they in common; they are all dead men. Their impact on humankind has been harsh and terrible and their brand of greatness should be shunned.
I consider another man now. A man who most certainly can be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. Martin Luther King, George Washington, Malcom X, Abraham Lincoln, Ghandi, a man who also had/has possessed tremendous influence over tens of thousands, possibly more. The man I speak of did not through subtlety, guile, or malice ascend to the height of his power and influence nor upon the works or backs of others. The man I speak of is Arthur Monroe Brazier, commonly and respectfully addressed as the Honorable Bishop Arthur M. Brazier (1921-2010), Pastor Emeritus of the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, Illinois.
It is my assertion that real greatness is measured not in "shaking up the world" or remaking the world in one's image, but in the impact one makes in individuals, how one affects the thinking of men, women, even children. So often, they that are regarded as great stand aloof from the rest of us. Consider celebrities, star atheletes of today. Many of them maintain a "buffer zone" between themselves and they that provide them their plush lifestyles. Not so with Bishop Brazier. His greatness was in his accessibility to those that he served- and he seemed to never, ever forget that he was a servant, a servant to his Savior Jesus Christ and to his congregation who hung on his every word. All of his knowledge, all of his rich, bitter, joyous, painful experiences he deposited into his children and his church. He withheld nothing from them as some do, as to maintain their "buffer zone."
Bishop Brazier was a man of unflinching courage and flawless dignity, unafraid to reveal his flaws but was filled with too much integrity to be undone by them. The Bishop was a military man, serving his country with honor during World War II in a segregated army, marched with Dr. King through the streets of the most racially charged, segregated, and hostile city in the nation at the height of the Civil Rights struggle, stared down the Blackstone Rangers of Woodlawn, and had the courage to part ways with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World- and with dignity and faith in his God looked the beast of cancer squarely in its hideous eye and fought it to his death. He won, however, by his life.
Obviously, I could go on. I could continue and truly not even do his memory justice as I'm sure I have not so far. But his mark has been indelibly made onto the hearts of so many people because he gave himself to people based on their need, based on the command to do so from the Book he cherished. His greatness, no doubt will be remarked by magazines, history books, and journals, but will best be displayed in the lives of men and women who will walk in the example he set. Sounds simple? Well, it is. Gloriously simple. This man split lives wide open, he changed minds, not with armies, empires, fear and terror, or impossible feats of physical strength but with his devotion to his Lord, love for people, and love of Truth. His mark shall continue to be felt well into the future. Greatest man who ever lived? If you asked Bishop Brazier that, I surmise he would simply say, "No, I'm not the greatest, not even close. But I know who is, and his name is Jesus Christ. If you only knew where He brought me from and what He brought me through..."

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2