“I’m nothing like Jesus,” Larry asserted. “I’m not even close to being like Him.”
“You’re closer than you think, Larry. I can see Jesus in your life! You think about Him, you act on your convictions, you talk about Him to your friends and neighbors, and you demonstrated Him to me when I was just a stranger you met at church. You noticed and pursued friendship with me, and it wasn’t long before you brought Jesus into the conversation. In fact, if I picture Jesus walking in and sitting down at our table, I think He would sound a lot like the way you talk with me.”
At that moment, more coffee arrived, and once their cups were full, Victoria sat down next to Jason. Not expecting this, both men stopped talking and looked at her.
“Well?” she asked, facing Larry.
“Well, what?” Larry seemed at a loss.
“What would Jesus say if He sat down in this booth and talked with me?” She waited for Larry with complete sincerity.
Larry flushed momentarily, then turned to her and said, “I had you in mind, Victoria, long before I created the Earth or the Sun or any of the stars. I was thinking about you. I loved you then and I love you now, just as you are. There is so much goodness and beauty in you, and you are so very dear to Me. That’s why I died to pay the penalty for your sin. I died in your place so you can live forever with Me, and my Father, and with everyone else who has allowed Me to pay for their sin.
“I know all that’s happened to you, Victoria, and I will heal you completely. I know all you’ve done, and I will forgive you completely. I understand every detail of your story and I love you wholeheartedly.
“By the way, I also died to pay the penalty for Larry’s sin, and for Jason’s, and for your parents’, and for so many others. I invite you to live in my care, as my sister. Will you accept my payment for your sin, Victoria? Will you accept My forgiveness, and the healing and joy I will bring into your life? I love you, Victoria.”
Larry stopped speaking, too choked up to continue, and Victoria’s eyes were also glistening. She stood up, moved to Larry’s side of the table, leaned over, and gave him a hug. Then, she straightened and returned to the kitchen.
Jason and Larry sat quietly, and then Jason said, “Thank you, Larry. You just demonstrated Jesus for Victoria and me.”
*Excerpted from Stanwyck’s Secret, a novel I published to portray a community of Faith within a community of neighbors.
