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 Human Interface Device
by Russ Lawson
My computer keyboard at my office had been giving me a little trouble, so I decided to change it. I dug out my favorite old keyboard from home and brought it to my office to use. I plugged in the keyboard and a message popped up that I don't recall ever seeing before. The message said, "New Human Interface Device." I had never thought of a keyboard as a "human interface device," and was somewhat surprised to see this description. I guess however, from the computer's perspective, it is. I have external cooling fans, an external hard drive, a mouse, a phone synchronization cable and a printer. All of these devices except for my mouse are considered "hardware devices." These things don't require any input from me to operate them. The keyboard, however, is another matter entirely. With this "human interface device" (my computer keyboard), I directly input my thought and feeling to the computer. I can communicate with people who literally live all over the earth. It allows me to add "human qualities" — my thoughts, ideas, and input — to a mechanical device. That's really not so different from what Jesus does for us, is it? Jesus coming to earth was God adding a "human interface device" to his connection with humankind! Jesus brought the human part into the relationship. Jesus provided us an "interface," a way to understand and communicate with God in a way that we can understand and know that God understands — of course God understands everything, but Jesus' coming assures us that he understands from human experience. Paul reminds us of this profound truth: Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8 NLT).
[Jesus said] "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"(John 14:9 NIV). Jesus' claim in this verse reinforces the claim John made about Jesus in the beginning of his gospel: No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him (John 1:18 NLT). Jesus provided us the "human interface" with God! He has given us the ability to talk to God and understand a relationship that was beyond our understanding. He not only translated it all into things we can understand, he also demonstrated God's love for us. Let me suggest, if you are having trouble relating to God that you go back and "reboot" (restart) the relationship by looking closely at the Son as we see him in the pages of the New Testament — read especially the Gospels, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. For now, I'll stop using this "human interface device" — my keyboard — in hopes that you will spend time with the better model.
Title: "Human Interface Device" Author: Russ Lawson Publication Date: December 08, 2007 |
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