Hard times have come to the town of Raymond. The wealthy take little interest in the plight of the poor and down-trodden. They avoid the worst part of Raymond, referred to as the Triangle by the locals.
A lone man, jobless, wanders the streets of Raymond, searching in vain for help. Eventually, he arrives at the home of a local pastor, Henry Maxwell. Rev. Maxwell, preoccupied with composing his Sunday sermon, speaks briefly with the man. He is sorry about the man's unfortunate condition, but he has no job to offer the man.
The next day, Sunday, the wealthy members of Rev. Maxwell's church arrive to listen to the well-written sermon and enjoy the lovely voice of Rachel Winslow, a singer in the church choir.
As the sermon begins, a man, the same man who had been desperately seeking help, stands. He comes slowly down the aisle, towards the front of the church. Addressing the congregation, he asks, "What do you Christians mean by following the steps of Jesus? . . . Of course I don't expect you people can prevent everyone from dying of starvation, lack of proper nourishment, and tenement air, but what does following Jesus mean?" (Sheldon, 17 & 18)
This plain, honest question challenges Rev. Maxwell and, for the better or worse, affects the entire town of Raymond. Although this story was written over a hundred years ago, the questions the man asks challenges both Christians and non-Christians today. "What does it mean to be a Christian?" "How should Christians approach the social ills and troubles of the world?" "If they did, what would be the consequences in our cities, our society?"
Matthew 16:24-25
Sheldon, Charles M. In His Steps. 23rd ed. United States of America: Spire Books a division of Baker Book House Co., 1999. Paperback.
A lone man, jobless, wanders the streets of Raymond, searching in vain for help. Eventually, he arrives at the home of a local pastor, Henry Maxwell. Rev. Maxwell, preoccupied with composing his Sunday sermon, speaks briefly with the man. He is sorry about the man's unfortunate condition, but he has no job to offer the man.
The next day, Sunday, the wealthy members of Rev. Maxwell's church arrive to listen to the well-written sermon and enjoy the lovely voice of Rachel Winslow, a singer in the church choir.
As the sermon begins, a man, the same man who had been desperately seeking help, stands. He comes slowly down the aisle, towards the front of the church. Addressing the congregation, he asks, "What do you Christians mean by following the steps of Jesus? . . . Of course I don't expect you people can prevent everyone from dying of starvation, lack of proper nourishment, and tenement air, but what does following Jesus mean?" (Sheldon, 17 & 18)
This plain, honest question challenges Rev. Maxwell and, for the better or worse, affects the entire town of Raymond. Although this story was written over a hundred years ago, the questions the man asks challenges both Christians and non-Christians today. "What does it mean to be a Christian?" "How should Christians approach the social ills and troubles of the world?" "If they did, what would be the consequences in our cities, our society?"
Matthew 16:24-25
Sheldon, Charles M. In His Steps. 23rd ed. United States of America: Spire Books a division of Baker Book House Co., 1999. Paperback.
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