He stood with his arms crossed across his chest, as he leaned up against the stone wall. He had a black wool blanket covering his body from the intensity of the sun. He had a blank uninterested stare on his face, as he looked down at his feet. There we were, standing or sitting in front of this man, as our translator was telling him what we were saying. “Does he know who Jesus is,” we ask. “He knows the name, but he does not know who he is or what he has done, will you share the Gospel with him?” So we started from the beginning.
We explained to him about sin entering the world, and causing separation and the need for Jesus who came to save the world from the penalty of sin and reunite us in right relationship with God who loves us and desires us. He kept that same, blank, uninterested look as he avoided eye contact with us and kept looking down. ” If Jesus were standing in front of you and offering you a free gift, would you take it?” I asked, as I looked him over and realized that this man did not truly realize his need for Jesus. He said that if it was free then yes, however, I knew we would not be leading him to salvation because he really didn’t want it or see a need for it. I realized, that this was where he was at this moment and I wanted to respect his choice and his journey. Ultimately, a seed was planted, and I know in some way it will be watered. I also trust that because the Gospel was shared with him, that it will not leave his pattern of thought. As we walked away, I kept thinking about our interaction. I thought, that if myself or anyone of the guys with us were in his lifestyle, we probably would not recognize our need for Jesus and salvation either, and here is why:
These people live in the mountains, far away from city life and some of the temptations that it offers. They mainly work as farmers or Shepherds, and so from sun up to sun down, they stay in the fields, mainly by themselves, and work the land or cattle. Everything they need in their minds, is taken care of. Yes they worry about lack of rain and food for their cattle, but everything else is taken care of. Their mindset, as most other people, are focused on the here and now and this life they are living. So I don’t fault them or blame them for not seeing a need for Jesus. I do know however, that all are without excuse and can see God and his invisible qualities in creation (Romans 1:21), but it is not my place to force.
On the other side, I know some of the men, like the man we talked to, battle with loneliness, being overlooked, and seen as less than, especially living the life and responsibility of a Shepherd. Some may think that Jesus may view them the same way, so why bother trusting him or needing him, when so many others already do this to them. That realization ultimately led me to think about the majority of people in this world, and how they battle with the same pattern of belief.
I just look at Jesus and how he lived his life. He spoke the truth and lived out the truth. He went to the ones who felt this way and showed them how he saw them and met them where they were. He told them the reason for being on this earth, and how he restores the relationship between God the Father and mankind. He showed them the effect of sin that we committed caused for this seperation and lostness, that God never wanted. He showed how he was trustworthy and faithful and loyal and committed to the Father and to those who believe in him and follow him. If he is our example to follow, then should we not approach people in the same way he did, and point them to him in this way? If I was living lost and completely separated from God and battled with these things, I would want to encounter the full truth of Jesus in this way.
In the end, I came away from the interaction a little discouraged, but confident in how things went. I ultimately want all to genuinely come to Jesus, which means the choice was theirs and theirs alone and not primairly based off of other people. My role along with other Christians, is to be obedient and share the truth in Love. It is the responsiblity of the person hearing to make the choice themselves to accept what is being given to them. I am encouraged even more about meeting people where they are in life and interrupting them a little bit and seeing them as worth it, to share the truth that can save them and give them life, whether they choose to accept it or not. I am also even more encouraged to pray that every person I meet would recognize their need for Jesus, and allow him to meet them right where they are at and lead them to what they truly need, thus transforming them.
Sincerely
Your World Changer,
Dyl
