A young man perhaps in his early 20s was standing outside a store in the city center. He was clearly not a native of this city nor country and wasn’t outside the store to do some shopping. While wearing a protective mask, he engaged the townspeople with his eyes. His gaze was warm and intriguing; it said so much: “Please help me, I won’t hurt you, I have nothing, I am willing to humble myself just for some small change, this is not the life I dreamed of, please, please, please…”
With his gaze, he held a baseball hat by the brim, upside down to make a nest for the money from passersby.
The young man is named Peter and he is from Nigeria (where the official language is English). He has lived in this country for three years, arriving here with the hope for a better life. Due to massive unemployment, he cannot find a job, so he takes to the streets each day, hoping for money and/or food.
Peter was wearing a necklace with a cross on it so I asked him, hoping to engage in some conversation about Jesus, “Why do you wear the cross?”. He said, “because I am a Christian, I believe that God is the same today as he has always been and always will be”. I was blown away by his faith.
He shared more about his belief and circumstances, and as he did, I truly felt that while I had it in mind to witness to him, he was witnessing to me. Our God is amazing! Can I get an amen?
As our conversation wound down, I was reminded of what a brother in Christ recently said about the supernatural power of reading scripture aloud as we witness. I quickly opened the Bible app where the “verse of the day” was front and center. It read (and I read aloud):
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)
With this, I can say to you readers: Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God. Only the living God, through his Holy Spirit could orchestrate such a divine appointment where one man proclaims, “God as being the same today as always”, and another man instantly sees and reads the matching words in the name of Jesus aloud in the streets.
Today’s chapter is John 4. As Jennifer pointed out yesterday in her post “Who is Jesus?“, “John uses the stories to make the case that Jesus is the Son of God and the only source of eternal life.” John 4 is no exception as it shares miracles and people coming faith in Jesus, as well as Jesus himself saying that he is the Messiah.
39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” (John 4:39)
41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:41-42)
53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:53)
They believed because of his word and his miracles. What reasons do you have to believe today? What is holding you back from sharing what you believe and why you believe? What can we learn from the faith of “Peter from Nigeria” and how should we respond?
Father God, you are the same yesterday, and today and forever! We repent once again for doubting you, for judging others, for our selfishness, for using resources for our pleasure rather than your glory. Thank you for your word, your truth, for being patient with us, for interceding, for the mercy and grace and forgiveness in the name of your son Jesus, the only source of life. Amen.