From an internal memo of the Western Union Telegraph Company, dated 1976, comes this costly misjudgment: “The “telephone” has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”
Lord Kelvin, president of Britain’s Royal Society, once stated emphatically, “Heavier-than-air machines are impossible.”
In 1943, Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, remarked, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
Charles H. Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents, issued this startling statement in 1899: “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
Men, even experts, have often been wrong. Dead wrong.
Little wonder then, that when Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I the son of man am,” the responses were varied and inventive – and wrong: “Some say that you are John the Baptist; some say Elijah; and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:13,14.)
The correct answer with respect to Christ would come not from “flesh and blood,” but by divine revelation (Matthew 16:17), from the very voice of God thundering from the heavens (Matthew 3:16,17; 17:5; John 12:28.); by means of Jesus’ many miracles (John 3:1,2); in His fulfillment of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies (Luke 24:44); and ultimately and finally, “with power . . . by (His) resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4.)
Peter’s confession was, and forevermore will be, the correct answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16.)
Our world may scoff at Christ. The world’s supposed wisest may cast aspersions in His direction. But don’t forget both the world and the worldly wise have often been wrong. “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20.)
“Yes, let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4.)