Sunday 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.
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busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and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-ceilinged 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, hand-crafted 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.
By: Bonnie Bruno
"It is a sin to hate your neighbor. But being kind to
the needy brings happiness." (Proverbs 14:21)
[ By: Bonnie Bruno Copyright © 1997 -- from KJ -- {Used with Permission} ]
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