By Claudia Koenig
In a hurry to get an unexpectedly-needed grocery item, I stop by one of the stores where I usually shop.
I shop quickly. As I check out, my cashier talks to the cashier behind him and takes the groceries out of the basket.
I had not seen this cashier before. He is a dark-skinned, international man. I study him carefully for the Gospel. Then I ask him, “Are you celebrating Christmas?” He says, “Ah, I used to, Ah…” He does not finish his sentence. I say, “You should be celebrating Jesus.” He says again, “Ah…I used to …” Again, he does not finish what he is so hesitant to say.
I look into eyes and tell him, “Listen, God has a Son. His name is Jesus. He died on the cross for your sins, because He loves you.” He looks into my eyes and places the groceries in a sack. I say, “Jesus wants you to know who He is for yourself. Would you like to ask Him?” He responds, “Ah…” He does not finish his thoughts.
This whole time he smiles. There are no customers coming, so I take the opportunity to say, “Let’s pray.” He smiles more broadly and stops everything he is doing. Now his eyes are completely focused on mine. He prays and confesses Jesus as the Son of God who died and rose again. He repents of his sins and asks the Lord to use His life for His glory.
Now he smiles with amazing joy! All he can do is laugh and laugh.
He says, “Thank you Ma’am! Thank you, Ma’am!” He can’t stop smiling and laughing.
I ask him, “What is your name?” Showing me his nametag, he responds, “Joseph.” I say, “Oh my, what a name and what a time to give your life to Jesus!” He laughs more deeply! I tell him, “Joseph, you belong to God now. No matter what happens, you will be in heaven with Him.” He smiles and laughs more! “Thank you, Ma’am!” he says as he is joyously receives the truth about his future home with his Savior.
When I ask if he has a Bible, he responds, “I have one, but I have not read it, and I do not know where it is. I have been moving so much.” He smiles with amazing joy when I assure him, “I will bring you one.”
I tell him, “Now you have a reason to celebrate!” As he laughs, he says, “Yes!”
We take a moment to snap a photo together. That photo reveals the joy of salvation in his heart – Jesus!
“Abba, Father, what a time for the joy of salvation. What a season for You to reveal Your Son in the quick moments of grocery shopping.”
“Messiah, Yeshua, You are reaping souls, and many are celebrating the very reason why you came to earth!”
“Holy Spirit, how is it that I had to go and purchase an unexpected needed item? It is all because You had prepared an expected lost soul. Someone had labored for him that he may be reaped for the Son of God, Jesus, the King!”
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. - Luke 15:10
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. - Luke 1:47
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. - Luke 15:6
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, KJV.