The Deacon and the Vagrant

 The man had walked by that church many-a-Sunday morning.  Homeless… and standing on the street corner, he’d listened to the choir for years.  For some reason, this Sunday, he was being drawn into the church.  Looking rather unkept, he made his way inside.  He was impressed with the lavish fixtures, ornate woodwork, marble statues and of course the dignified, finely dressed church folk. 

The church was packed and there seemed to be no room for him to sit and join the worship.  Slowly moving down the aisle looking for a place to sit, pew by pew, no one would dare make room for this street person.  Before he knew it he was at the front of the church, standing almost face to face with the Pastor. With no room in the pews and not knowing any better he just sat down in the middle of the aisle at the first row (lol).  The worshipers were all shocked and appalled at this unchurched fellow and his disrespectful display. 

Then came a rustling noise from the back of the church as one of the oldest, most distinguished Deacons, struggled to his feet and meandered into the aisle.  With his cane in hand, he slowly started making the long walk down to the front of the church.  Everyone knew when he got down front, this situation would be rectified.  Certainly, the Deacon would have this vagrant removed.     

When the Deacon got to the first pew, he kneeled, wrapped his arm around the man’s shoulder, dropped his cane and sat down next to him in the middle of the aisle.  The entire church was speechless. As the preacher approached the podium, he said “My friends, the sermon you are about to hear, you may remember for a day or two… but the sermon you have just witnessed, you will remember for a lifetime.

Matthew 22:37-39 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 

Who are you, the Deacon or the church member?  Are you the person who steps out to help someone in need or someone whose decisions are weighed in the court of public opinion.  Who will you sit down with this week?  Who will you wrap your arm around?  Who’s longing for your affection or protection?

Y’all have a great week and GOD bless you.