Emphasis Preaching Journal

The missionary was prepared to baptize the class of converts into the faith. He was confident in all his students, except for one, who seemed much slower than the others and was very hesitant in expressing herself. When the time came for them to publicly declare their faith, the missionary asked each a question about the faith that they were to answer before the gathering of their family and friends. Now it was Ruth's turn. Would she be able to handle the situation, or would she be an embarrassment to the missionary and to her family? "What does it mean to be saved?" the missionary asked Ruth, hoping that such a simple, basic question would give her opportunity to answer well. Ruth stood there silently for what seemed like an eternity. What would the missionary do in response to her apparent lack of public profession of her faith? Then, Ruth moved toward the center of the room, which was built over a dirt floor. She had spotted a group of ants scurrying around. She gathered some hot embers from the fire that was taking off the chill of the morning air. She placed them in a ring around the ants. Then, she inched the embers closer and closer, so that the circle got smaller and smaller. The ants ran around faster and faster, looking for an exit from the doomsday circle. Just when it looked like the ants would be roasted, Ruth took a stick and placed it on end within the circle. All the ants scampered onto the stick as she drew it up and away from the embers. Looking at the assembly, Ruth quietly said, "We are like the ants running around in the middle of a hot circle of our sins and worries and difficulties in life. Jesus is the stick who comes near. As long as I hold on to him, I can be saved from perishing." No big theological words like atonement or reconciliation or justification came from Ruth's mouth, but she poignantly explained the gospel of salvation through a simple visual aid that a grade school child could understand.