Craig Clouston

 The Last Supper at Breakfast

August 18

When evening came Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve.

Matthew 26:20

While eating breakfast, Rachel noticed the painting of The Last Supper and asked, “Do you know what that painting means, Uncle Ed?”

“No,” he responded.

His response caused her to ask, “Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Savior?”

“I don’t know how,” was his strained response.

Continuing to pursue this line of questioning, Rachel asked, “Do you know Who Jesus is?”

“No, not really,” he admitted. 

“Did you ever attend church?” she asked.

“No,” he began. “I can’t read, you know, and I was afraid the preacher would call on me for answers. So I stayed home … ” He trailed off; a note of shame in his voice.

Where do I start, Lord? she thought. I can’t ask him if he wants a Savior he doesn’t know.

“At the beginning,” God replied. So for an hour, Rachel related biblical events: Creation, the flood and Noah, Moses, the exodus to the promised land, concluding with Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. When she finished, Ed said, “Come with me.” He led her to the bedroom where he brought out a book of Bible stories. It contained the very stories she’d just shared!

Taking God’s cue, Rachel asked; “Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart?” 

“Oh, yes, yes, yes!” he responded.

†

Ed is now with his Savior. Rachel’s sensitivity enabled her to present the invitation.

We should never assume that people know Jesus, even if they have religious material around the house. Had Rachel accepted the painting as proof of Ed’s salvation, he could have spent eternity in hell.

The truth is there are many unsuspecting people on their way to hell; many because we assume they’ve heard about Jesus, so we don’t go out of our way to ask them, “Do you know Who Jesus is?”

We may be required to give explanation of the events from Creation through the resurrection; people should understand the decision they’re making. And this may require doing some things we’re not comfortable with. In light of the alternative, we must put aside our discomfort and never assume they know the truth.

Prayer

“Make me sensitive to those who don’t know You, Lord. Help me help them to know Who You are. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”