Just another Sat feeding on the street, or so I thought as I squinted my eyes against the afternoon sun. Everyone looked kind-of 'wilted' for the heat was really bad. It wasn't my turn to preach, so I could basically do my own thing. Which thing is normally to sit down beside whomever I felt led to and start a conversation. As I looked around, I saw him. He wasn't a 'newbie', I had noticed him a few months ago as he stood out with his white hair and white beard. There was an empty chair beside him; that as good as meant 'go' to me.
So I parked myself down next to him and was going to talk about something inane, like the weather.But instead he caught me totally off guard by announcing first, "I saw Mother Mary." And so started one of the strangest conversations in my years of ministering on the streets. He declared, " I am 66 years old, people may think I am mad, but I am not. About 2 years ago, one night I was trying to sleep. I really saw her, she was wearing this long white flowy robe with a veil, and in her hands she held up a cross but it was enclosed in such a bright light it blinded me, and she put the light into my heart. I felt a power that shook my whole body". I was fascinated, but wary, "So uncle, how do you know it was Mother Mary?" "I know" was the confident answer (that from a non-Christian). "So what do you know about Mary?" I probed, and he said, "People tell me she is mother of Jesus". So far so good. I took another step, "So who is Jesus?" He replied, "I don't know, for past 3 weeks I have been wondering who is Jesus?" So I told him the simple story of Jesus, sent from heaven, come to earth through the womb of a virgin named Mary. How He died on the cross for the sins of mankind, went to hell taking the punishment meant for us, and rose alive 3 days later, to go back to heaven to prepare a place for those who call on His name, making good God's promise that whomsoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life. "Uncle, do you understand?"
He was nodding his head, his eyes lighted up. As I paused awhile, he butted in and as he spoke, I knew I was onto a miracle. "3 weeks ago, I was on my jaga kereta rounds, a very well-dressed man got down from a big Honda bike and said to me, You follow Jesus, you just follow Jesus. My fren asked me if I knew him and why the man talk like that, I said I don't know, he is a stranger. Since then, I haven't slept well; it's as if my heart is divided into 2. I ask, who is Jesus? I don't know Him. My frens don't know Him. I don't know who to ask. Who can tell me? And today, you come....please tell me some more about Jesus". If there weren't so many people about, I would have fallen down on my knees and shouted Hallelujah...I have never met such an open heart, so ready to receive. When I finally asked him the all important question, "Do you want Jesus, uncle?" He looked straight into my eyes and shot back without any hesitation, "Of coz I want, why wouldn't I want Him?"
Why indeed? If only he knew.... how many many people there are who can come up with a million and 1 reasons why they don't want Jesus, despite hearing and understanding who He is, even despite going to church and listening to countless sermons from the pulpit. People who would choose to live their own life, rather than the abundant life God has prepared for all who would believe. Yet here is this 66 years old illiterate ex-drug addict living on the streets, who freely admits he is a sinner and has no problems accepting Jesus as the Savior of his soul the very first time he hears the gospel message. We may think such people soo naive and gullible, he doesn't know any better; he hasn't read any philosophy, he has never debated the theories of religion nor pondered the mysteries of God. Nope, he definitely hasn't. But 1 thing he has done, that made all the difference - he responded to God with an open mind and open heart. And that's what matters ultimately.
I have always longed for an 'encounter' with God; up close and personal. I still do. But I never remember dreams, I don't 'hear' voices, I rarely see visions. Still it doesn't bother me much that God doesn't choose such dramatic ways of assuring me He exists. I know He does, and I know He loves me. To hear this man's testimony is merely confirmation of what I already know. If we all needed to 'see' God before we will believe, if we must have all our questions and doubts answered first , that's not faith. Sure, the world says seeing is believing. Well, Jesus says, "just believe" (Mark 5:36)....and may I add, then you will see.
An hour had passed. Noticing that he was the last one still holding onto his plate of unfinished rice, the old man hurriedly wolfed down the food that had grown cold in his hands since we started talking, as he said "I feel so light now, as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my heart. The food tastes better today...look, your hair is on my plate"...He pointed to a strand of hair that must have come from my head, whilst we were so engrossed about Jesus (yes, yes, besides growing white, my hair is also dropping off, so what else is new?!) I started apologizing, most embarrassed about dirtying what would probably be his 1 and only decent meal for the day... he protested instead, "No, no, its ok. This is good sign. In my culture we believe your hair on my plate means we forever friends... I pray to Jesus for you and your family." (I had told him about how Jesus had come into my life 12 years ago, when I was quite unable to cope with a dying husband, no job and 3 young kids.) I was so touched, I felt like bursting into song, for it was incredible to see the glow in his whole countenance, literally radiating joy from within. He thanked me, but I knew actually I am the one so blessed to be able to witness God's very real presence in a life touched and transformed by Jesus.
It was an ordinary life, an ordinary day, but invaded by an extra-ordinary God, a miracle happened. A sinner met God, repented, believed and got more than a plate of curry chicken rice (with a strand of hair in it). He now has Jesus. And the whole of heaven rejoices with us.
"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart" - Jeremiah 29:13
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