A
Picture of My Father
By Susan Klein
“Behold the lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John
1:29 (KJV)
On
a recent visit to my favorite deli, my husband and I had a most unusual
encounter. As we perused the deli case, an older gentleman appeared behind the
counter. He wasn’t dressed like the other employees and didn’t ask for our
order. The owner, I wondered? He reached into the case and took out a large
green olive and popped it in his mouth. We watched him savor the morsel with audible
moans of delight, as if it were the greatest delicacy in the world. Noticing
our glances, he reached for a spoon and procured two more plump olives.
Extending the spoon over the top of the counter, he nodded for us to each take
one. We obliged, and enjoyed the olives almost as much as he had.
He
finished chewing and spit his pit into the palm of his hand. What took place
next stunned us both. He reached that
same hand over the counter to receive our pits. We eyed each other
incredulously! He wanted us to put our chewed on, and now, rather disgusting
pits into his hand?!! As if reading our thoughts, he quietly nodded toward his
open palm. Reluctantly, we obliged, tentatively placing our pits into his
waiting hand. Here was this humble and considerate man, graciously receiving
that which had just been spit out of two strangers’ mouths. He smiled
appreciatively, disposed of the pits, and walked away.
I
was so struck by this amazingly unheard-of gesture. As we drove home, I mulled
over the scene in my mind. What a beautiful picture this man was of our
heavenly Father. God took that which He valued most, and generously offered it to
us, without our asking, and while we were strangers (sinners) to Him. He didn’t
have to share His Son, but out of His immeasurable love for and graciousness
toward us, mankind got to savor Jesus as He walked this earth, enjoying His
presence and tasting of His goodness. Then, when the appropriate time had come,
He willingly took our sins upon Himself. As God incarnate, He could have refused
the cross or offered up another person to take His place. But instead, He chose
to carry our sins Himself. And now, every time someone obediently places his or
her trust in Him, I imagine He smiles appreciatively.
Don’t
you just love it when God gives us a little glimpse of Himself?!!
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
What pictures might God be showing you of Himself in your everyday encounters?
2.
Would you be willing to share them with someone?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to
Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing,
and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood.
