Did He, or Didn’t He? – Ken Ebright
“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NCV)
One of the first memories I have as a child is when I played an April fool’s joke on a friend of mine named Steve — the first friend I ever had. In fact, we were friends throughout our teen years. Before I took my road test, I didn’t have a car and Steve would let me drive his so I could practice driving.
At some point after high school, we met for lunch and found out something we both had in common. I found out his mom was an alcoholic, and he discovered the same thing about mine. And there was something else we shared. My new stepmom had put me into treatment when I was a sophomore because I needed help, and Steve had to go into treatment for depression after high school. But eventually, over time we lost track of each other, as childhood friends sometimes do.
One day my dad was badgering me to try and look up Steve. I finally did and found out some sad news. Steve died at the early age of 45. This brought back old memories—and some regret. I still remember Betty, our neighbor, arranging for a bus to come from her church to pick up the kids from our neighborhood. Steve and I were a part of that group, but we never really talked much about the Lord, if at all. Now I wonder if Steve ever asked the Lord into his heart as his personal Savior. That time we met for lunch I wasn’t as close to the Lord as I am now. Little did I know that meeting would be the last time I would see him.
My message is this — it’s important to try and make followers of Jesus at every opportunity. I regret I never asked Steve about Jesus. Is there someone you need to talk about Jesus to?
Ken loves to participate in worship and share the gospel with the lost. Contact
