Mrs. Bessie YVilbon '
lesson Background: The author of the Fourth Gospel,
John the Apostle and brother of James, was excellently
qualified to give us valuable insights into the life and
ministry of Jesus. Scholars generally agree that this
Gospel was the last of the four to be written.
W JbiarTaRes uSTJack beyond history, back to the real
beginning of all things. In so doing, he lays a ground work
for Jesus’ deity that is beyond challenge.
“In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. The same was in the
beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and
without Him was not anything made that was made ”
(John 1:1-3)..
The opening words of John’s Gospel remind us of the
opening words of Genesis, intentionally so, perhaps
Beginning. This is not to say that the Word came into
existence at some remote time in the past. John wants us
to understand that the Word existed in the eternity prior to
the appearance of the physical world.
The Word was God. It is impossible to imagine a
stronger affirmation of the deity of Christ than this. Any
person who would deny the deity of Christ must at the
same time deny the intent of verse 1.
“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men,” (Vv.
4-5). .
WoLoniy did the Word live; He imparted life to all other
living things. One of the greatest mysteries to scientists is
the origin of life. No scientist has even come close to giving
an adequate explanation of this mystery. Yet John gives us
that answer very simply: “In Him was life.” John then
connects life and light. Clearly more than physical light is
intended here. The word light is often used to indicate both
intellectual and spiritual illumination. The Word does
both. By creatihgman with mental faculties, the Word has - -
provided for his intellectual illumination. By coming to
live in the flesh, He provided spiritual illumination.
As light is often used in the figurative sense to designate
good, so darkness is often used to designate evil. The latter
part of verse five offers two translation possibilities:
(“And the light shiiieth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehend it not.”) The verb translated comprehend
may also be translated “overcome.” One translation
states that while the light shines in the darkness, yet the
darkness cannot understand it. The other states that the
darkness has never been able to overcome, or extinguish,
the light Christ brought.
Both translations fit the context, and historically both
have been demonstrated many times in the past. At times
Jesus has certainly not been understood. Yet in spite of all
kinds of violent attacks, the friends of darkness have never
been able to extinguish the light.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth,” (v. 14).
In the simplest of language John expresses the most
profound theological thought: the Word, who was God in
every sense of the concept, became a man with all the
limitations that this involved. We cannot hope to
understand this, but our lack of ability to understand does
not alter the fact.
The word translated dwelt suggests some interesting
possibilities. Literally, it means to “live in a tent” or
la her nacteT4 'Because a tent is usually a temporary
dwelling, John’s use of the term here means that the
Word’s residence in the flesh was only tempprary. The
term might also remind the Jews of the Old testament
tabernacle that symbolized God’s physical presence
among them.
The fact that Christ dwelt among men is a strong
affirmation of the incarnation. Because He dwelt among
them, the witnesses had an opportunity to see that He ate,
drank, spoke, and worked as any other human being did!
John speaks of Christ in this way when he refers to that
“which we have heard” which we have seen with our eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled
(1 John 1:1).
We behold His glory. John now adds the fact that at the
same time the Word became flesh He also shared the
divine glory. This glory may have been demonstrated in
several ways - in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His
loving service to the needy. John also may have reference
to Christ’s transfiguration, (Matthew 17:1-9). In that
experience Christ’s face shone like the sun and His
garments were as white as the light, impressive evidence
of His divine glory.
Several implications flow from the fact that Christ came
to earth to dwell among us. First, it indicates that our
planet is under constant surveillance by God. His eye is
always upon us. Second, it shows that God has concern for
us - a concern so great that He sent His Son from the
splendors of Heaven tovisitus wlih.Hk We-Vl \ iss—
need to understand that if God visited us once, He can do it
Jfcagain. His first coming was to bring salvation; the second
will be to administer Justice. Will we be as pdorly prepared
for the second coming as most of His people were for the
first?
We cannot begin to understand the incarnation, yet alone
explain it. Human reason is incapable of understanding
how He who is divine and infinite could become human and
limited. But even if we cannot understand it, yet we can
believe it and appreciate it. What Satisfaction there is in
Km fact that we have a Savior who has experienced life in
the flesh with all of its pain and weaknesses! We do not
0my to a remote God who has no empathy with our
earthbound existence. We have not a high priest who
“cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,”
(Hebrew 4:IS). Because He did dwell in the flesh and
. suffer our infirmities with us, we can "come boldly unto
the throne of grace’’ to obtain "mercy and find grace to
help in time afsieed,” (Hebrew 4:16).
In the lighfftr the great amount of suffering and strife in
the world, we may at times find if hard to believe that we
live in a world that was designed not only to make life
possible, but also to make life pleasant for our well
being.
, v
The first sale transacted at South Boulevard Chrys
ler-Plymouth is commemorated by (1-r) dealership
president Omar Leatherman, buyer Ella Hand with
daughter Telia, and salesman Felix Otero. Mrs. Hand,
business manager for Ferguson and Watt law firm,
purchased a 1984 Chrysler I.eBaron.
Second Black-Owned Automobile
Dealership Opens In Charlotte
By Jalyne Strong
Post Staff Writer
Omar Leatherman, president of
the recently opened South Boule
• - vard Chrysler-Plymouth oar deal
ership, has entered the status as
sociated with Sam Johnson and Sam
Johnson Lincoln-Mercury. Johnson
was once Leatherman’s mentor. It
seems appropriate that Johnson
became the first black man to own a
car dealership in Charlotte and Lea
therman is now the second.
Leatherman is proud to have
gotten in on what he states is “the
hottest selling franchise in the
country.” He is well versed in the
Chrysler philosophy: “Make a good
product. Charge a fair price to make
sure you sell a lot. Give high quality
service-fix it right the first time.”
“With this combination,” assures
Leatherman, “you’re going to make
an awful lot of money.
“An awful lot,” Leatherman re
emphasizes and judging from his
background, he’s a man who ought
to know. One could say that Leather
man is steeped in automobile in
dustry experience.
He was born and raised in
Detroit, Michigan. “It’s kind of hard
to grow up in Detroit and not be in
the car business,” he points out.
“The industry there offered many
job opportunities for blacks and paid
well.”
Leatherman earned a B.S. in
business administration from
—-WByHe=Stafe^iniversj^f
and then entered the college grad
uate training program of the Ford
Motor Company. The job he re
ceived following the training
program involved his visiting car
dealers in Ohio and Pennsylvania
selling Lincoln-Mercury cars and
monitoring financial positions.
It wasn’t long before Leather
man became interested in learning
what it took to run a dealership and
the possibility of owning one. “One
day I heard through the company
grapevine," remembers Leather
man, “that there was a black man
who owned a dealership in St. Louis
and also that he was about to open a
second one in Charlotte, North
Carolina." Leatherman sought out
this man. He wanted to know more.
The man was Sam Johnson of Sam
Johnson Lincoln-Mercury and pre
sently also owner of Metro Lincoln
Mercury. “I moved my family 600
miles to Charlotte,” says Leather
man, "and went to work for John
son." He worked at Lincoln-Mercury
for a few years before he set his
sights on opening an auto leasinv
company.
Quickly Leatherman moved into
a leasing franchise opening in 1979 a
—Hartz Rftnt-A Car comnanv,__
-Then name the expansion of Dou
glas Municipal Airport and rent-a
car concessions were being offered.
Without missing a beat, Leatherman
took on a partner, Nat Green, they
bid for a consession and won.
Together they closed a deal with
Greyhound franchise and opened
Greyhound Rent-A-Car at the air
port. This business ran for two years
until Greyhound sold the parent
company. Leatherman and Green
terminated their arrangement with
Greyhound and turned around and
re-established one with General
Rent-A-Car. Their General Rent-A
Car business is now operating. "And
doing well," adds Leatherman
Leatherman * latest career move ■
was determined when he received
information pertaining to the
Chrysler Corporation’s wish to find
qualified minorities for training
programs that could lead to deal
ership ownership. "I was interest
ed,’' admits Leatherman. He
turned oyer the operation of the
General Rent-A-Car company to
Hardy Statz, a third partner and also
the company's vice president and
general manager Arthur Jacoby,
president of FAB construction
company is also a partner in the
General auto renting company.
Then Leatherman entered the
Chrysler Corporation training
program in May, 1984.
Under the guidance of Chrysler
Corporation, he trained at Friendly
Dodge in Charlotte where president
Lee Laney became his second men
tor. “From Laney I learned all about
the automobile industry and car
dealerships. He is the most suc
cessful dealer in the Southeast. He is
the number one Dodge dealer in
sales and profits,” boasts Leather
man.
After six months of training, on
November 1, 1984, Leatherman
opened his dealership. He now sits
comfortably in the presidential seat
of the South Boulevard Chrysler
Plymouth dealership and projects,
“The outlook is of a very good year
ahead of me.”
The first black man to own a car
dealership in Charlotte says of Lea
therman, "I think it's a fantastic
opportunity for him. I believe he’ll
do quite well and the business is
good for the community. Then adds
Sam Johnson, recalling his impres
sion of the young Leatherman \Vho
worked for him years ago, "I
thought he had the ability, and,
given the chance, he would do
exactly what he’s done.’’
Separated Women
WomanReach will sponsor ‘‘Alone
Again," a weekly support group, on
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. designed to
explore the problems and resources
of women who are newly separated
from a relationship. This will be held
at the WomanReach Center, faci
litated by Ginny Sullivan and Gloria
Cothart.
For more information and to re
gister, call a WomanReach peer
counselor at 334-3614 from 10 a m.
until 4 p.m., Monday through Sa
turday.
Gty Counci To
H Vacancies Oh
Four Boards_
The Cliai lotte -Ctty Council plans -
to fill eight vacancies on four
boards and committees by March,
1985 The vacancies are as follows
(1) Zoning Board of Adjustments
Three positions for three-year
terms. This position involves hear
ing appeals to the zoning ordinance
or decisions of the Charlotte-Meek
lenburg Building Standards Depart
ment. Nominations will be made
January 14. 1985. (2) Citizens Com
mittee for Recycling-Three posi
tions for two-year terms This
committee is .concerned with en
couraging recycling through aware
ness and public service programs
Nominations will be made February
10, 1985 (3) Insurance Advisory
Committee-One position for a three
year term. Nominees must be an
insurance company underwriter and
should be able to provide advice in
risk management and insurance
matters to the Charlotte-Mecklen
burg Insurance and Risk Manage
ment Agency Nominations will be
made February 10. 1985 >4i Coun
cil on Aging -One position for a
three-year term Position involves
advising local government on mat
ters related to aging and the elder
ly. Nominations will be made
March 10, 1985
Some 300 local citizens provide
voluntary service to City govern
ment on 40 different boards, com
missions and committees Interest
ed persons should contact any mem
ber of the City Council. Applica
tion forms may be obtained from the
Office of the City Clerk. City Hall.
600 East Trade St., telephone
336-2247
FTL
A grand opening celebration for
the opening of the 504-room world
class Heritage Grand Hotel will be
held Saturday, December 22,-at the
Heritage USA. The grand opening
celebration will begin at 6 p m with
an electric light parade proceeding
from the Youth Chapel around Lake
Heritage to the front of the Heritage
Grand Hotel. Eighteen floats and
several other events will add to the
already existing beauty of Christ
mas City USA and the excitement of
the evening. Della Reese will be the
Grand Marshall of the parade
Visitors and guests are welcome to
join in this event. The hotel will be
open for viewing
When completed the PTL Partner
Center will be the largest hotel
complex in the Carolinas, housing an
11-acre hotel, shopping mall, cafe
teria and covention center in a
complex entirely enclosed and cli
mate controlled.
*1 A