The Outcast

I am always on the edge of the crowds, never a part of what is happening. When other people find out who I am, they shut me out and ignore me. Worse, sometimes they chase me with curses and threats of violence.

I had gone to several times to hear this Jesus preach. His teachings were really unlike anything that I had heard before. But because of who I am, I figured that I would be on the outside again. No one likes those who are different. It's just a fact of life.

I usually slipped away early just to avoid any confrontation. I just got so tired of being rejected or worse - chased and beaten. But this one time I got caught up in what Jesus was saying, and stayed too long. I decided that it would be best to wait where I was - on a big boulder - for the crowd to disperse. It was really the safest way. Otherwise, I risked a lot of trouble.

When the worst of the crowd had left, I got down from where I was perched. I was very careful, I'll tell you. No one likes to be the reason for a riot to start. I came around the boulder, and there He was. Jesus, I mean. And all by Himself, no disciples anywhere near. He looked at me and smiled and held out His hand.  I did try to tell Him who I was, but it didn't make any difference. He just took hold of my hand gently and accepted me as I am.

We did talk for a while. No, I won't tell you what was said - or at least not word for word. But the gist of it all was that God loved me. I am still on the outside of most things in this world, for people don't understand. But that's all right now, for I know, no I am positive that I am a child of God and am loved by God, the same God that all these others who don't like me say that they worship. Sure makes you wonder, doesn't it?