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Page 46 |
Sunday's Stranger
The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the large
church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a
church that size, each member had developed a certain
comfort zone - a block of space within those four church
walls that became theirs after the second or third sitting.
It was as much a part of their church experience as the
recliner was to the television at home. Some of the older members
had been sitting in the same row on the same side for several
decades. A team of oxen could not have moved them to
the opposite side of the church.
One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster.
As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through
the trash.
"Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her
husband. "That's all we need - a bunch of homeless
people milling around here."
One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But
Daddy..."
Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy,
outdated trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many
park benches.
"Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried
her inside.
Soft music filled the high-ceiling sanctuary as churchgoers
settled into their usual spots. The choir sang an opening
chorus, "In His presence there is comfort... in His
presence there is peace...".
Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung
open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward
the front.
"Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered.
"What does he think he's doing, anyway?" snapped an
incredulous usher.
The stranger set his bagful of dumpster treasures on the very
first pew, which had been upholstered in an expensive
soft teal fabric just three months ago.
The music stopped.
And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the stairs
and stood behind the fine, handcrafted oak podium, where he
faced a wide-eyed congregation.
The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice.
Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus,
and the love He has for all people.
"Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses
what any of us deserves."
Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe
a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us...without
strings attached.
"Unconditionally He loves us."
"Unconditionally He gave his very life for us."
"Unconditionally and forever, we can have the peace and
assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come
from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or
ourselves, there is hope."
"In Jesus, there is always hope."
"You see, my friends, it is never too late to change,"
the man continued.
"He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness.
He came to bring new meaning to 'life'."
Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current.
The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and removed it.
"I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far
beyond human understanding, a love that enables us to
accept and love others in return."
Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together."
That wise pastor - under the guise of a homeless
"nobody" - did not preach a sermon that day,
but every person left with plenty to think about.
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