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During the latter half of the 1800’s, this small man with a booming voice was considered one of the best actors in the world.
Edwin Thomas was born into an acting family – his mother and father were both Shakespearean actors who emigrated to the United States in 1821. Edwin’s younger brother, John, would also become a professional actor. But in terms of accolades and acclaim, Edwin would surpass them all.
Edwin’s first leading role came when he was 15 years old, and it wasn’t long before he started performing throughout the United States and Europe. American audiences were drawn to his charm, and across the Atlantic, Edwin was among the first American actors to win the approval of the tough British critics. By the early 1860’s, Edwin Thomas had emerged as America’s most popular and prolific actor, and his charisma and good looks made him both famous and wealthy.
In fact, among Edwin’s fans was none other than President Abraham Lincoln! Lincoln loved the theatre and regularly attended performances at various venues around Washington. The President and the First Lady saw Edwin perform twice at Grover’s National Theatre, although Lincoln and the actor never met in person. Edwin would have loved such a meeting - he was a huge supporter of the President and voted for him twice.
Edwin’s accomplishments on the stage had become legendary, but it was his heroics at a train station that would have a profound impact on the Lincoln family.
It was late in 1863 and Robert Lincoln, the President’s oldest son was a student at Harvard (Abraham and Mary Lincoln had four sons, but tragically, one of them died at the age of three, another died at the age of 11, and another died at the age of 18. Robert was the only son who would live into adulthood).
Robert Lincoln was headed back to Washington D.C. and his train stopped in Jersey City, N.J. Robert got out to stretch his legs, and as he leaned up against the railroad car, it lurched forward, throwing him between the platform and the moving train. But Edwin Thomas saw this taking place, and he quickly lunged forward and grabbed the young man by the coat, pulling him back to safety. Edwin’s quick thinking saved Robert Lincoln from being crushed to death.
At the time, Robert Lincoln was not only relieved to be alive, but also starstruck by his rescuer. He immediately recognized Edwin’s face. For Edwin, however, it would be many months before he learned the identity of the man he had saved.
Edwin was at the train depot that day because he was traveling to Richmond with his friend, John T. Ford, the owner of Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Ironically, less than six months after this event took place, President Abraham Lincoln would be assassinated while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre.
Edwin Thomas saved the life of one Lincoln, but tragically, mere months later, his brother took the life of another Lincoln. That’s because Edwin’s full name is Edwin Thomas Booth – the older brother of John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
It should be noted that John Wilkes Booth was also an actor and was fairly well-known. In fact, Abraham and Mary Lincoln had actually seen John Wilkes Booth perform months earlier (oddly enough, at Ford’s Theater).
As the shock of the Lincoln assassination reverberated across the nation, few were as deeply affected as Edwin Booth. In one fell swoop, it seemed as if Edwin had lost his brother, his family name, and his acting career.
Two men from the same family. One took a life. One saved a life.
After the assassination and a twelve-day manhunt, John Wilkes Booth was killed. It was a bloody, violent end to a tragic life.
For Edwin, however, his life - and career - would have a second act. After the assassination, Robert Lincoln shared the story of how Edwin had saved his life. Edwin also wrote an editorial in a major newspaper, apologizing for his brother’s crimes and acknowledging that the two had become estranged over the past few years because of his brother’s radical views. Edwin did get back onto the stage, and he even embarked on a worldwide tour, performing in cities across the globe.
In this country, the last name “Booth” will forever be associated with the death of a President. The sins of John Wilkes Booth overshadow both the heroics and the theatrical mastery of his older brother. Despite that, Edwin Booth is considered by many to be the greatest American actor of the 19th century. His career on the stage did have a happy ending.
When we look at the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, both Judas and Peter deny Jesus. But while Judas’s story ends with betrayal and death, Peter’s story ends with redemption and triumph.
On the night when Jesus and His disciples had that final meal together (we now refer to it as “The Last Supper”), Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me” (Matthew 26:21).
The day before, Judas had secretly met with the religious leaders. For a relatively small sum of money, he agreed to disclose Jesus’ location to the authorities, and then identify Jesus to them.
Scripture tells us that Jesus knew in advance that this would happen. How did the disciples react when Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him?
“They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?... Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.’”
Sure enough, after Jesus was arrested, Peter, fearful of being arrested himself, denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times..
I’m certainly not comparing Judas’s betrayal to Peter’s momentary weakness. Rather, I’m contrasting Peter’s response and future to that of Judas. And it should be noted that all of the disciples, except for John, scattered out of fear after Jesus was arrested. And technically speaking, Peter didn’t deny Jesus; he denied knowing Jesus to three strangers. His later repentance would show that he never wanted to abandon Jesus.
After Jesus was arrested, Judas “was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’” (Matthew 27:3-4).
While he admitted that Jesus was innocent, Judas never proclaimed Him as Lord, whereas Peter did. This difference in belief about who Jesus was is the crucial difference between Judas and Peter.
Judas killed himself. Peter, on the other hand, would go on to be a key leader in the early church, embarking on missionary journeys, writing two epistles that would later become a part of our Holy Bible, and serving as a preacher and evangelist. A moment (or two or three) of weakness could not negate what God wanted to accomplish through the life of Peter.
Through Jesus, redemption is available. Sin and mistakes will happen, but God is ready to forgive. The offer of salvation and eternal life is free. But so is our decision to reject it.
Friends, I am proud to be your Pastor and I look forward to worshiping with you this weekend. Until then, know that you are loved.
Joe
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