Jasmine’s Corner
3 Comments to “Jasmine’s Corner”
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Every year on my college campus, a street preacher comes to preach a sermon of repentance instead of redemption. Of course the bible does in fact speak on the repentance of sins, but I question the approach of these preachers. Evangelism is a topic that seems to be taught in a haphazard and even confusing way in the church. Here is a good video that illustrates the form of evangelism I’m speaking of. It’s long, so I wouldn’t advise watching the whole thing. Lol! I was also inspired to write a piece of prose poetry speaking about the truth on witnessing, which I will post. I don’t know, what do you think about this?
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Here is the poem I said I would post.
Street Preacher
Who are you, street preacher? Your voice stings the air with your talk about eternal damnation! I watch you on the street corner, the spot where prostitutes and a sinful pestilence lingers. You wave your Holy Book to swat away crime and infiltrate the lost crowd with your sovereign words of holiness. You claim to forewarn the dangers of the volcanic anger of God that will soon spew to burn many alive. You plug the name of Jesus in every sentence to emphasize He who is responsible for the punishment of those who make mistakes. I approached you one day to ask a series of questions and perhaps take notes of your lectures, professor of doom.
“Sir, sir!” I called out from the lost crowd. You turned in surprise to see me, a woman of five feet, bold enough to stand in your presence.
“Who is this man- Jesus that you’re talking about.” I asked.
“He is God’s son.” You replied shortly and turned away from me to continue your sermon.
“No offense,” I interrupted, “ but I don’t care who He is to God. I don’t know God. I want to know His relationship to you, you must know Him since you talk about Him so well.”
“He is my savior, because of Him I won’t go to Hell.” You said irritated at my ignorance.
“That’s it?! He’s just some hero whose services are only handy when I’m dead?”
“Well heaven and hell is more important than earth.” You replied.“That’s unfortunate because I have been diagnosed with cancer and it would be nice if He could be a healer, or maybe even a comforter for my depressed mom. You quote the bible with confidence but I couldn’t understand half of it without a teacher and even someone who is wise.” You tried to ignore me to finish your God given task of holy bashing but I continued saying, “I feel rejected and empty, I need a lover, and other times I’m lonely and just a need a friend. Life is so confusing it would be nice if He could give me guidance. To me, this would be the kind of guy worth shouting about. I don’t know if I want your savior, I might be more open to your words if you knew him personally like if he was your friend or brother.“
With utter distaste for my now sermon you stood speechless. More silence covered your tongue as I filled your ears with a harder question saying, “You proclaim harsh judgment on others but what about the one you will face? Many people will come on judgment day proclaiming the wonderful things they’ve done for Christ, how they laid hands on the sick, raised the dead, and fed the poor. But God’s reply will be “depart from me I never knew you” because God had no relationship with them. What you preach is the message John the Baptist preached to prepare people for the coming of Jesus Christ but Jesus has already come. Why not instead go out into the world and preach the Good News of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. And why don’t you tell people who He is to you personally because Jesus’ relationship with God is significant but it’s hard to relate to, unless you are God that is.” You heard me that day on that busy corner, but only God will be there with you in the end to see if you listened. But I am fully convinced that a church with ignorance on evangelism is a church more harmful than a murderer. I hope you will go and share the Good News with all who are hearing and even those who are deaf and speak on your personal experience with Jesus Christ.
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I’m with you on this, Jasmine. I also question the effectiveness of this type of street preaching, especially when the message is mainly about doom, damnation, and bashing people, as it seems to be in this video. The audience member at the 4:20 mark in the video sure didn’t have much luck getting a conversation out of the street preacher. I noticed that the cameraman made sure not to capture much footage of his attempt, and I also noticed his parting remark: “You all scare people away from Christianity.” I imagine that God does sometimes use preaching like this to call people to Himself, despite its obvious defects, but at the same time I imagine that it gives others a very tainted view of what the kingdom of God is. God knows I’ve made my own misguided blunders in evangelism, but, like you, He’s led me to value relationship building and a message that centers on redemption.
Good poem, Jasmine, and very thought-provoking. I love the passion you put into it!
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