“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:5–6 KJV)
The young foreign man looked Asian. As we approached the counter, I was thinking, What do I say to him about You, Jesus? He is not ready to believe, but I have to tell him.
I looked at his nametag. It read James. “You have a biblical name.”
“My middle name is Andrew.”
“That too is a biblical name. I hope you are living up to those names. Have you heard about Jesus where you are from?”
“Oh, I am not into that. I am Buddhist.”
“Well, you sure are confused.” He looked at me perplexed. “Of course, you are. There is only one God that was raised from the dead. He is the Son of God, Jesus. He died for you on the cross for your sins.”
He kept checking out items but was listening.
“Buddha is dead. He cannot hear you. Only Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose again from the dead. He is alive! He is in heaven. He can hear you when you talk to Him, and He answers you. All other gods are dead. That god of yours is also dead. How can he listen to you and answer you? But Jesus is alive, and He hears everything you think and speak, and He also answers. Have you ever read the Bible?”
He was listening as he rang up the items. He looked at me. He was taking what I said to thought. Now there were more customers behind me. I had to be quick to say something.
“Buddha’s bones are in the ground. When you die, your bones will be buried in the ground too. Will you be buried next to him? Neither of you will be able to talk to each other. Do you think you can talk to him and he to you? Do you think dead bones can talk? It will be too late for your soul to be saved.”
He was quiet. We placed our grocery bags in the cart. He was standing still and did not say a word. He looked at me with intrigued and hungry eyes.
I was concerned about the other customers and started to push the cart forward to leave. I looked at him one more time. There was much for him to consider. This was just a bit of fish bait.
“Thank you for talking to me.” His eyes looked sincere. Light had come into them. He had heard the truth.
“James Andrew, thank you for listening.”
Someone in his family probably knew about the God of the Bible. One day this young Asian man just may be a follower of His Son, Jesus.
“Abba, Father, that was not easy, and it went by so fast. Jesus, how wonderful it is to speak your Name, the Name that is exalted above all other gods. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for speaking to that young man’s heart. My words may have been insufficient, but You are the One who speaks the truth to the heart. Messiah, send another fisherman of men to this soul.”