We love him because he first loved us. I John 4:19
Joseph lives in another country and is a convert from another religion to Christianity. His story is most instructive.
Joseph was a well-known religious leader who was skilled in debate and an articulate speaker. One day two Christians appeared at his door. His sister answered the door, and they told her their business, which baffled her. She rushed into the salon where Joseph was seated and said, “There are two Christians here, and they want to talk to you.”
Initially, Joseph refused to see them, but on a mischievous whim, he told his sister to show them to the salon. He knew he could cut them to pieces with his words. Two very shy Christians stepped boldly into the lion’s den, into Joseph’s salon. After Joseph welcomed them, the two men said, “We just came to tell you that Jesus loves you.”
Joseph was shocked. Everyone knew who he was, and they knew of his militant faith. How did these Christians dare to come tell him about Jesus? Then Joseph began to ask the young men theological questions to which their only answer was, “We don’t know. We only came to tell you that Jesus loves you.” Again and again, Joseph barraged them with words. They could only repeat their original statement, “We came to tell you that Jesus loves you.” The men finally left, probably feeling completely dejected and total failures.
But the story doesn’t end there. Joseph couldn’t stop thinking of these low-status, ignorant Christians who dared to come to his door to tell him that Jesus loved him. He began to wonder, Have I ever talked to anyone about my faith? The obvious answer was no. Joseph began a search to discover what it was that gave his visitors confidence and courage to speak about Jesus.
Initially, Joseph’s research led him to non-Christian material that proclaimed the truth of Jesus’ divine Sonship. And then he was drawn to reading God’s Word. One day he said, “I am a Christian.” And from that point on, he consumed the Bible and pursued fellowship in a local Christian church. Today he is a powerful Christian evangelist.
Just because two young men boldly shared the Christ who had radically changed their own lives… Two young men who probably left Joseph’s house thinking that they had failed their Lord… Wondering why they had ever thought they might make a difference in Joseph’s heart…
Father, thank you for the people who spoke your love to us. Make us bold to share your love and your Good News with those in our world. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
agodforeveryday 