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Have you ever
heard anyone use the expression, “His name is mud around here?” Well,
whether you’ve heard the expression or not, due to the use of the word
“mud,” you could probably figure out that this isn’t a very complimentary
statement. However, very few people who have heard this expression are
aware of its origin and that the word being used is not “mud,” but “Mudd.”
You see, in 1865, after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes
Booth broke his leg during his escape. Consequently, Booth sought medical
assistance from a man named Dr. Samuel Mudd. Dr. Mudd set, splinted, and
bandaged Booth’s broken leg, allegedly unaware that Booth had assassinated
the President.
Within days, Dr. Mudd was arrested by the United States Government and
charged with conspiracy. Dr. Mudd was sentenced to life in prison. He
served four years of that prison term before being pardoned by President
Andrew Johnson.
Though released from prison, Dr. Mudd never regained his reputation. He
would always be known as the man who aided and conspired to assassinate
President Lincoln.
If Dr. Mudd was indeed innocent, wouldn’t be a tragic thing to have your
reputation destroyed as his was? Because of his reputation, he was judged a
wicked man, having part in one the greatest tragedies in our nation’s
history. But now, here’s the point. Aren’t you thankful that God does not
judge us by our reputation (what others think us to be), but by our
character (what God knows us to be)? Revelation 3:1.
Maybe your name is “Mudd.” If it is, take comfort in the fact that you are
not alone, and that you stand in good company (Matthew 12:24; 5:11-12), and
that God sees beyond your reputation and sees your true character. |