Talk to him, tell him about Jesus

" Talk to him.  Tell him about Jesus." 

This is what I was told after handing lunch to a man who lives on the streets in Vizag, India.  We were waiting for a few more meals to be brought over to us, so this was my instruction for while we were waiting. 

My first thought was, " Talk to him about WHAT?!?  Can't you see he is HOMELESS? "  I can't exactly ask him how he is doing or how he's enjoying the weather. I had no words.  So I asked what I should talk to him about.  "Tell him about Jesus" was the reply. 

What was I to say?  "Jesus loves you?" , "He cares for you?", "He died for you?" All I could think was how angry that would make me if I were in his situation.  And so, I am ashamed to say, I looked at the pastor I was with and said, "I don't know what to say." 

Ouch. I am, after all, a Christian, have been so for many years. I KNOW Jesus!  I love Him, and love to tell others about Him.  

  I couldn't see past his situation.  I couldn't see past the hopelessness he was living in in the physical.  But I have learned something.  What was being asked of me was not to speak to his situation, but to speak to his HEART. 

 Jesus didn't come that we may live perfect lives of peaceful harmony.   He didn't come to change our physical situations.  He came to seek and save the lost! (Luke 19:10).  He came to offer us an eternity with Him so that when we are done with this cruel world we have HOPE!!

He came to set the captives free, to renew our minds, to fill us with hope, and to lift our burdens.  He came so that in our times of desperation we have someone to lean on, to find shelter in, and cast our burdens upon.

THAT is what I should have told the man on the street.  To speak to his spirit and give him hope, no matter what situation he may find himself in. To tell him that he has worth, that he has value, in a place where his life screams of worthlessness. Where even other churches in his area cannot understand why we would bother to help him. Many of these people will never even have record of their existence.

 Because the truth is, Jesus DOES love the man on the sidewalk.  He loves him the same as he loves the man in the office, the woman on the bus, the child on the playground. He died for the rich in the mansions, the poor in the shacks, and everyone in between.  He makes no distinction of class or worth- ALL are sinners, ALL have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23).  

An abundant life doesn't mean one filled with the riches of this world.  In Christ, a man on the street can live in more abundance than the rich without Christ.  

So, what would you say to this man?  What would you tell him about Jesus?  What you believe about the King will determine the way you live your life. It will determine what you say.  Who is your Jesus?  

I believe we need to have an answer. We cannot be caught off guard as I was that day. We need to know the heart of the King we serve so that we can give an accurate picture of who He is to those He died to save. 

May we never be at a loss for words.

Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

 Who is the King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty;

the LORD, invincible in battle.

 Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

 Who is the King of glory?

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies—

he is the King of glory.

                  Psalm 24:7-10

Making mistakes and learning,

one day at a time,

Darcie.