what

"Most people assume WWJD stands for 'What would Jesus do?' But according to Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, the initials are shorthand for 'What would Jesus drive?'

"For centuries, theologians have squabbled over the type of transportation the Lord would use: Public transit or private car? Stick shift or automatic? A sport-utility vehicle roomy enough for all 12 apostles or an economy model?

"One of Ostler's readers theorized that Jesus would tool around in an old Plymouth because the Bible says God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden in a Fury.

"But our research department found several other scenarios. In Psalm 83, for example, the Almighty clearly owns a Pontiac and a Geo. The passage urges the Lord to 'pursue your enemies with your Tempest and terrify them with your Storm.' (We're not sure how a Geo Storm could be considered terrifying, unless it had those scary shooting flames painted on the sides.)

"Another scripture indicates that Yahweh favored Dodge pickup trucks. Moses' followers are warned not to go up a mountain until 'the Ram's horn sounds a long blast.'

"Some scholars insist that Jesus drove a Honda, but didn't like to talk about it. As proof, they cite a verse in John's gospel where Christ tells a crowd, 'For I did not speak of my own Accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say.' However, there is debate over whether the vehicle had bumper stickers such as 'Save the Humans,' 'My other car is a flaming chariot' or 'Honk if you love me.'

"Ostler has uncovered several other religious theories: [One of them is that] Moses rode an old British motorcycle, as evidenced by a Bible passage declaring that 'the roar of Moses' Triumph is heard in the hills.' "

Someone else has suggested the apostles following Jesus' lead and carpooled in a Honda because Acts records that "the apostles were in one Accord".

I found it interesting that the phrase "one accord" appears 12 times in the book of Acts. Most of those passages refer to the unity of the early Christians. There was a harmony that existed in the early church, the result of Jesus' prayer in John 17. We all know the value of such unity. As David said long ago, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). But seldom do we know the reality of that unity.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that unity is often the result of great adversity. We all saw it vividly in this country on a grand scale on September 11th. A nation divided quickly became a nation united. Petty squabbles were set aside and the people of the United States stood hand in hand -- "one nation under God."

I've seen the same things happen in families, and in churches. Sadly, sometimes it takes a disaster to help us to put things into perspective, to help us to realize that the insignificant things which we tend to argue about are not nearly as important as the things which bind us together. Wouldn't it be great if we could come to that realization without having to go through disastrous times?

"Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Phil 2:2)

-alan smith