Kevin Blue writes about an experience that a friend experienced one summer while he was ministering among the poor on a six-week urban project with a religious organization in Los Angeles, California.  Blue writes:

Part of his assignment was to spend time in a convalescent home in the central part of the city... This convalescent home was smelly, understaffed and poorly kept.  Few residents had visitors.  For a new guest arriving to serve the residents, it was very awkward.  Some residents were mentally ill; some were not responsive at all.  Others were even hostile.  Members of Johnny’s team were struggling in the first few days with why they had been called to serve there.  “Why are we here?”  “This is depressing.”  “We can’t do anything to help.”  Such remarks began to be made openly.

One day, after Johnny had been there for about a week, an elderly woman slowly walked up to him in the hallway where he was standing.  She drew close and pointed a finger at him.  “I know why you’re here,” she said in an accusatory tone.  She paused as my friend looked at her, wondering what this was about.  Realizing he didn’t know what she meant, she went on.  “I know why you’re here,” she said again.  “You’re here because God wants us to know he hasn’t forgotten about us.”

The woman turned and shuffled away. Johnny was stunned.  Another team member was so moved she nearly cried on the spot.  By the end of that summer, many of that team cried as they left the friends they had made, because in many of those relationships they had found something of the kingdom of God. *

Imagine someone walking up to Jesus during His earthly ministry, pointing his finger at Him and saying, “I know why You’re here.  You’re here because God wants us to know that He hasn’t forgotten about us.”

That statement is true.

Jesus came to this earth to reveal God to us (John 1:14).  He came to reveal the love God has for us (John 3:16).  He came to show us that God has not forgotten about us and that He has not abandoned us because of our sins.  In fact, Jesus came to save us from sin.

Jesus stated the reason for His coming: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  In order to save us, He had to die on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

One day, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him.  He said (essentially) to Jesus, “I know why You’re here.”  John said, “Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Jesus came to inform us that God has not forgotten us.  He came to save us.  He came to save you.

Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life by submitting your life to Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* Kevin Blue, Practical Justice: Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World, InterVarsity Press, 2006, as quoted in www.thepastorsworkshop.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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