The Bum
64
A few years back, some christian acquaintances told me of a funny but true sobering story. They said that one Sunday morning when they arrived at church there was a bum lying on the front steps. He wreaked of alcohol, was dirty and unshaven. As the congregation of around 150 of the small Baptist church were arriving the bum did not move, he just lied there looking like he was suffering from a major hangover or possibly still drunk. Not one church member asked him if he was OK, not one invited him to the service or asked if he needed anything. People just stepped over him with their nice clean Sunday clothes on, and bibles clenched tightly in their hands.
While, everyone was sitting in the pews waiting to be blessed and spiritually refreshed, the pastor appeared behind the pulpit with a disgusted and ashamed look on his face. The congregation was shocked and amazed with their mouths hanging open. Their very own pastor was the bum. He had grown a scruffy beard, smeared some dirt on his face, dressed up in dirty and torn clothes and dowsed himself with some alcohol. He was unrecognizable to his very own church members. The pastor who was very wise man did this to make a point and teach a lesson. Perhaps, he sensed the way they were. I'm sure those people will never forget that service.
Matthew 25:34-35
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Hebrews 13:1-2
Let brotherly love continue.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
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Thank you Mekenzie, I'm glad you liked it. You sing- well now were going to have to have a video church- LOL and you can sing. LOL---maybe in the future. Maybe you can make a hub about that or post a link so we can hear you sing. I really like that song too. Blessings to you too.
Thanks for this. Amen.
Hi Vladimir,Thanks for commenting, I'm glad you liked it.
Sky321, Beautiful meaningful heartful story! Great message here! Thank you for sharing, in His love, Peace & Blessings! Yes ALL "People need the Lord!"
Thank you for your uplifting comments. Bless you sister.
If only more pastors did that.
Thanks,
John
Sky my sister, sounds like there was no "GOOD SAMARITAN" on the road to help him either.
Brother Dave.
hello sky . very good .thank you for this.
Beautiful song. Also, a touching story about the pastor posing as a homeless drunk. I wonder what would happen in many churches if this were done. I suspect most would demonstrate the same reaction. Thoughtful hub.
Sky
people do need the Lord - all people..
So many are either like the religious leaders of Jesus time and turn away or like that of this pastor who try to teach and help otheres to know Jesus by knowing the suffering of another and understanding when we bend to help one - anyone - we bend to help Jesus. love this song!
blessings dear one
CS
Wow! Your "Bum" piece was powerful. It truly makes one think.
Sierra Greer
Oh wow that was very sobering. Reminds me of something that happened in our church yesterday but with a different outcome. While in the middle of service some guy came in cussing, dirty and maybe drunk. He was very noisy and some other church members helped him sit in the front row. Then 2 people sat with him to make sure he didn't fall down. I was so happy to see our members welcome this man even though he obviously had many problems and was disruptive. We all need deliverance, especially the weary and downtrodden and those are the ones we really need to reach out to. Not just those that we "feel" we can like or meet our expectations of what "normal" is.
Blessings and thanks for sharing this story.
Hi Dorsi, It sounds like you attend a nice church.
I enjoyed reading this very vivd and practical example of the need to love and accept even those very different from ourselves.
Thanks for sharing
Love and peace
Tony
Some Christians have forgotten what it means to be a missionary. It isn't to judge people. It's to help people, and set a good example, advertising the faith. We can make converts by being good people.
Thanks for visisting and all your feedback. I appreciate and look forward to reading more of your hubs.
Sky321, You are so right; I love this hub. You have written it so well and given us our daily lesson on how we must spread our love to those who need it. I am sure it was a Sunday the Church will always remember. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Linda
Hello, My friend Vladimir emailed me and suggested I check out your work, on another hub of yours, which led me to this one. Very powerful, and totally true. The world is so full of hurting people, one hardly knows where to begin in helping them. We are told though, 'that when we didn't help the least of these, we did not help the the Lord'- in the Parable of the goats and the sheep. Thanks for the wonderful hub. God bless you.
Hi Joshua Kell, It's nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting my hub. I look forward to reading some of your hubs.
I've witnessed a similar event myself, but guess who the person was out of everyone to stop and try to help the old bum? Give up? Yep, me. Because at one point in life I too was the one in need of a lift up! Excellent story! Sky, Peace, Love to you from above!
Mekenzie Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago
Sweet Sky, What a poignant message. SAD ... so sad that the Church stepped over God's creation .. the one HE gave his life for .. the one HE came to seek and to save. I truly hope it was a WAKE-UP call to these folks playing Church.
Do you know that the song you posted is one of my favorites. I have sung it in Church. I have broken down in agony thinking of so many that need HIM but turn away from HIM.
Good lesson skye and you wrote it clearly and beautifully ... choosing just the right SONG.
Love Ya Sister Skye.
Blessings!
Mekenzie