Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sneak (05/12/16)
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TITLE: The Pastor in Disguise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Cynthia G. Peoples
05/18/16 -
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An old tattered flannel shirt, worn out baggy denim jeans, and a pair of dirty converse sneakers completed the diguise. He picked up a bottle of "body odor spray" purchased at a gag shop the day before and liberally sprayed the stink all over his body from head to toe.
"That ought to do it," he said out loud to himself and glanced at his watch. "Ought oh, better get rid of this." He unfastened the watch band and placed it beside the sink on the bathroom vanity. He took one last look in the mirror, grabbed his Bible and car keys, then left the house.
Arriving at the church, Jeremy parked his old beat up Chevy truck in the first vacant spot he could find. He killed the engine, took the keys out of the ignition, and left the windows rolled down. He didn't bother locking the doors. New Haven was a small, rural community with a low crime rate. Everyone knew everybody else...and their business.
He slowly walked across the parking lot toward the front entrance of the church. Early arrivers for Sunday morning worship services stared and pointed as they hurried past. "Perfect timing," he mumbled under his breath.
"Look at him," an elderly lady whispered and nudged her companion. "Some people have no respect for God's house." Goose bumps popped out on Jeremy's skin in response to the snide remark. But he ignored them, smiled and kept walking.
He reached the stairs leading up to the front entrance, sat down on the bottom step, and waited patiently for a member of his new congregation to welcome him and say hello...but no one did.
He heard the strains of Amazing Grace began playing softly on the piano, so he stood up, walked through the double doors, and sat down on the back pew. He listened attentively while an elderly gentlemen made the announcements and then apologized to the crowd for their new pastor being late for his very first service. The congregation laughed and begin talking amongst themselves.
Jeremy stood up and walked down the aisle, ignoring the gasps and mutterings. "Good morning," he said to the elderly gentlemen. "I'm the new pastor, Jeremy Cooper."
The associate pastor blanched, stepped aside, and motioned for Jeremy to take his place. You could've heard a pen drop throughout the stifled silence. Without saying another word, Jeremy stepped onto the stage and took his place behind the pulpit. He grasped both sides of the podium with trembling hands, took a deep breath, and faced his new congregation.
"Our message this morning," he began, "is based on the 25th chapter of Matthew beginning with verse 35 and ending with verse 45." He paused.
"We can learn a lot from this passage of scripture because here Jesus gives us examples of how we should treat others, especially those with specific needs. If someone's hungry...we feed them. If they're thirsty...we give them drink. And especially as believers, we are to practice hospitality and show His love to others regardless of gender, race, sins, or appearance." He hesitated once again, giving the congregation a moment to ponder, then continued.
"We are to accept others as Christ accepts us. But just like the people in this passage during biblical times, sometimes even today, we don't understand or follow Jesus' teachings. That's why Jesus goes on to tell us in His word in verse 45...and I quote:
"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it NOT to one of the least of these, ye did it NOT to me." (Matthew 25: 45 KJV)
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