By Claudia Koenig
We have been moving much these days as we seek God in all the work that we do, as we serve Jesus in midst of all the turmoil in Washington, DC, and the surrounding area.
Due to some physical pain that I have had, my husband has to help me carry things now. We pray this will be temporary. Anyway, he has to walk into the grocery stores with me to carry the things purchased.
We were at the cashier’s counter. There were two attendants. The name on the tag of one of the young men was Willy. The name of the other young man next to him who was sacking the groceries was Alexander. I have tried to say a few words about Jesus when I have talked with Alexander in the past. He is a rather intelligent IT sort. He loves learning Japanese. It is quite a treat to watch him speak the language when he meets Japanese customers.
It is rather hard to talk with Alexander. He makes conversations that somehow do not connect. I listen attentively, but he is on such a tongue roll that I am focused on understanding where he is coming from.
This time he was talking about the internet connections, his take on the speed of these days’ technology, and his old cell phone. He said, “These changes are so fast, and it is ridiculous that my cell phone is out of date with its technology due to the fast-paced changes from month to month!” He did not once look at us. He just sacked the items and talked.
The cashier responded to him and gave him some IT info for his phone. Alexander ignored him, as he grabbed more bags. Then he directed his talk to us again about the fast-paced changes in technology using all this IT vocabulary. Really, we did not understand all his IT talk.
My husband and I just watched him as he sacked and talked. Finally, I said, “Well, there is one thing that never changes. It stays the same all the time.” Alexander’s attention was now on us. He looked at me for a moment and continued sacking. I continued, “That is God. His Son is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And He loves you.” Alexander was silent for a moment. Willy was smiling big. It seemed as if Alexander, for the first time, could not talk.
All of a sudden, the line of customers grew. There were customers everywhere. We had to leave. We looked at Willy who was still smiling, almost laughing. We walked out, and my husband started laughing! He said, “Only you would have said something like that, Claudia. That young man’s face, you should have looked at it, and Willy, all he could do was laugh. That put a stop to all his tech knowledge!”
I thought, “Well, I have been trying to tell Alexander about Jesus for some time, and now he has heard His name—JESUS. I have more work to do the next time I see him.”
“Abba, Father, the name of Your Son, Jesus—how beautiful is the mention of Your Son’s name! How can anyone who knows Him not speak His name day and night to the world around them?”
“Son of God, Jesus, Your name causes the seas and the sky to stand still! Your name causes the winds to cease! How much more will Your name cause the thoughts of man to stop at a moment to hear the glorious name of the Savior of souls!”
“Holy Spirit, You cause conversations to stand still by the power of the name of the King of Kings Jesus Christ so that it is heard in its power, and salvation for a soul is prepared by planting in the heart the seed of all seeds of salvation —the name of JESUS!”
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; - Philippians 2:10
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. -John 20:31
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, -1 Corinthians 5:4
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. - Colossians 3:17
All scripture is KJV.