This I Know
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Some knew him as not being well versed or fluent. His grammar would have made any English teacher's hair stand on end. But he had a message to share and he was going to do it the best way he could.
He climbed the three steps as if they were twenty stories high. He made it to the top and looked around. He was nervous. So nervous we could see his hands shake. His hands clutched the sides of the pulpit so hard his knuckles were white. But he was determined. He smiled at the pastor, took another fearful look at those in the congregation, and began. He shared how he came to know Christ in a real way for the very first time one day many, many years before.
He was sitting on a park bench one day, enjoying the warmth of the sun, humming a tune from somewhere in his memory. A teenager walking by stopped and said how much she liked the tune. The teenager explained that the song had made it clear to her how much God loved her even though she was about three or four years old when she first learned it. Her mother sang it to her after her bedtime story and prayer. She said she loved to hear it in church even now.
The teenager walked on, but the man was changed forever. It was just a short, innocent conversation, but it sparked an understanding that had been buried long ago. Jesus had died. But Jesus was alive. Now he could put a name to the tune!
It gave him unlimited joy to see the church so quiet, listening intently. His voice was the only sound. He stood a little taller and shared his understanding so that all might hear! "Jesus loves me, this I know!"
He began to sing the song and as he did, he swayed. His eyes were closed and tears ran down his face. He began softly in a low, hushed whisper. Then his voice became louder, clearer, and more powerful with each note. "Jesus loves me, this I know ..." He hugged himself and then he spread out his arms.
"For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak but he is strong." He cradled his arms as he sang. He clapped his hands! He put every line into action and demonstrated the beauty of that song with his voice, his expression, and his gestures.
"Yes, Jesus loves me," he continued. "Yes! Jesus loves me ..." He wasn't quite finished with the final verse when he opened his eyes and stopped to listen. The church members were up on their feet, singing, swaying, and clapping! They were singing from their hearts.
He had spoken from his heart, from his soul, and no one had missed his message. Jesus loved him! Jesus loves all of us!
He climbed the three steps as if they were twenty stories high. He made it to the top and looked around. He was nervous. So nervous we could see his hands shake. His hands clutched the sides of the pulpit so hard his knuckles were white. But he was determined. He smiled at the pastor, took another fearful look at those in the congregation, and began. He shared how he came to know Christ in a real way for the very first time one day many, many years before.
He was sitting on a park bench one day, enjoying the warmth of the sun, humming a tune from somewhere in his memory. A teenager walking by stopped and said how much she liked the tune. The teenager explained that the song had made it clear to her how much God loved her even though she was about three or four years old when she first learned it. Her mother sang it to her after her bedtime story and prayer. She said she loved to hear it in church even now.
The teenager walked on, but the man was changed forever. It was just a short, innocent conversation, but it sparked an understanding that had been buried long ago. Jesus had died. But Jesus was alive. Now he could put a name to the tune!
It gave him unlimited joy to see the church so quiet, listening intently. His voice was the only sound. He stood a little taller and shared his understanding so that all might hear! "Jesus loves me, this I know!"
He began to sing the song and as he did, he swayed. His eyes were closed and tears ran down his face. He began softly in a low, hushed whisper. Then his voice became louder, clearer, and more powerful with each note. "Jesus loves me, this I know ..." He hugged himself and then he spread out his arms.
"For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak but he is strong." He cradled his arms as he sang. He clapped his hands! He put every line into action and demonstrated the beauty of that song with his voice, his expression, and his gestures.
"Yes, Jesus loves me," he continued. "Yes! Jesus loves me ..." He wasn't quite finished with the final verse when he opened his eyes and stopped to listen. The church members were up on their feet, singing, swaying, and clapping! They were singing from their hearts.
He had spoken from his heart, from his soul, and no one had missed his message. Jesus loved him! Jesus loves all of us!
