Someone sent me this little story this week and it reminded me of the Sunday we visited a church for the first time. Walking down the aisle to find a seat, my wife said, “We are going to be sitting in someone’s seat.” Minutes later two dear little ladies came in sat behind us and said in their “stage whispers” – “They are in our row. We know it’s OUR row because there is wax on the carpet on the row in front of that one!” Great first impression. Had we not been in church ministry for 25+ years, we might have walked out and never returned. The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit! You took my place!” The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?” The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, “I took your place.”
Freedom Fighters 