JOINED

 

Beale Street Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee has a long and rich history.  In October 1866, Reverend Morris Henderson and his small congregation purchased the lot at 379 Beale Street.  They hired an architect and began construction soon after.  Often regarded as “the Mother of Black Churches,” Beale Street Baptist Church was the first southern church built by Blacks and for Blacks.  By 1880, south Memphis had a strong, wealthy and growing Black population.  Beale Street Baptist would have been considered a mega church back in those days with membership that exceeded 2500 people.

Prior to my visit on September 26^th, I only knew that it was a historic Black Church.  When we decided to attend the night before, I went to the internet for information.  There was no website but I did find a poorly managed Facebook page and a phone number.  When I called the number, I left a message but the recording did not provide any other information.  We didn’t really know what to expect but showed up at 10:30 hoping for the best and thinking there would be a large crowd.  

As we climbed the entrance steps, a tall, thin man welcomed us and held the door.  We later learned he would soon be 90.  He escorted us in and with great pride, he took us to the fellowship hall.  I immediately noticed that down the wall on the left was a crude display of photos that dated back many decades.  My new friend began to explain the photos and with tears in his eyes, he lovingly pointed out his grandmother and then his mother explaining that his family helped to start this church.  About midway, he pointed to a photo telling us with joy that the 12 year old boy in the picture was none other than himself the day he was baptized. 

About that time, we heard the music begin and we were escorted to the second floor sanctuary.  Not wanting to miss a single thing, I lead the way down the aisle to row three.  I was a little surprised at the small number of people in attendance.  There were only 2 in the choir and 2 played instruments.  A lady came up to us with a huge book and pen requesting we register our attendance and then handed us a bulletin. 

The songs were obviously hymns but there were no hymnals or words on a screen.  The music was lively and reverent and far from anything I would find in my home church.  With the music over, a young man came up to the pulpit to explain the pastor was out due to illness.  Revealing he was the pastor’s son, he assured us that God had given him the message we were about to hear. 

“Open your bibles to Luke 17,” he said and everyone stood.  I cannot explain what happened next other than an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Tears began to run down my face.  I wasn’t upset or hysterical.  I wasn’t sad or hurt.  I was simply overcome with emotion.  I tried to concentrate on the scriptures and followed along as the young man’s voice, loud and clear, read each word from verses 11-19.

We sat down, the tears would not stop.  And honestly, I didn’t want them to.  For a moment, I imagined the enormous struggles the people of this congregation endured through the years.  I thought of cross burnings and cruel lynchings and unfair accusations and crooked politicians.  I continued to cry.  I felt so grieved at the history of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  The young man at the pulpit startled me back to attention. 

Ten lepers.  All of them call out to Jesus for healing.  All ten are healed.  All ten keep walking toward Jerusalem to present themselves to the priest.  But one.  One turned around.  He wanted more than the ritual of the day, he wanted a relationship.  Nine chose religion.  One chose Jesus.  Ten lepers healed that day but only one found Jesus.  Only one found eternal life.  His words were powerful and compelling.  The tears would not stop. 

As he wrapped up his message, I realized I had been mesmerized by his words.  Not because he was a good orator – which he was – but because his message was a divine message.  He taught truth – straight from the word of God.  I was convicted and challenged and comforted.  It was a gripping message because God’s truth is timeless and penetrates our heart.

And then……it was over.  The tears dried up.  I knew I would never forget the message or the lesson.  My new 90 year old friend wanted a picture so I began to smile.  It was genuine and heartfelt.  I silently thanked God for such a beautiful experience.  This small little congregation left the imprint of Jesus on my heart.  Our worlds were so different and miles apart but we were forever joined together by the blood of Christ.

Messy

Today I am watching my two grandchildren.  One is 21 months old and the other still a newborn.  After playing in the backyard for an hour, we came in for a snack and nap time.  While warming the baby’s bottle, I opened up an applesauce, sat the older at the table and proceeded to feed her the applesauce.  Well, silly me had forgotten how quickly toddlers learn to say, “I do it myself.”  After a little bit of a battle, I gave in.  (I know....I’ll plan better next time.) The bottle was ready and the baby needed my attention.  Now the big girl did pretty well managing the spoon and the applesauce until the spoon decided not to cooperate any longer.  It did not take long for her to be covered in applesauce.....head to toe.  

As I looked at her from across the table, it quickly reminded me how easily we make a mess of our lives when we stomp our feet and tell God, “I do it myself.”  Its true, I speak from experience.  I tried “I do it myself” and ended up in a mess from head to toe.  Fortunately, God specializes in messes.  

Look with me at the verses found in John 8:1-12.  “but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.””

Such an intriguing story, don’t you think?  The woman, caught in the act.  I often wonder, if in their zeal to humiliate her, they drug her to the temple naked.  Wouldn’t surprise me.  Religious people often show little or no mercy.  Jesus bent down and wrote in the sand.  I wonder if the woman was sobbing her heart out as she stood there in shame.  Of course, we are not told what he writes but I think it could have been something like “watch this.”  Then Jesus stands and faces the accusers.  Without missing a beat, he gets to the heart of the matter.  Religious people don’t like heart issues.  They often have a nest of them....just like the rest of us.  But Jesus gets to the heart of the matter: sin.  He calls them out and one by one those religious and judgmental leaders slink away.  Jesus bends down a second time to write in the sand.  Again, we are not told what he writes.  But I think he wrote, “Trust me.  I specialize in messes.”  He doesn’t shame her, he doesn’t condemn her.  He simply cleaned her up and sent her on her way.  

What kind of mess do you find yourself in?  It might be little, it might be big.  Either way, if you stomped your foot and said, “I do it myself” then you have a mess only God can fix.  Trust him, he specializes in messes.

Maybe you are like one of those religious type...lacking mercy and grace.  Then you have a mess you don’t even realize.  I would urge you to trust Jesus, he specializes in messes.  

All of us need Jesus.  All of us.  If you are far from him today, turn your heart to Jesus.  He specializes in messes.