When Jackson got to his new job, Mr. Rallison was not there. He was assigned to shadow an experienced tutor named Timothy. He showed him how to talk to students of different ages, and he explained the procedures followed around the center. Work was to be done on time. It was expected that you would not have to be told to do something twice. You were to treat peers and students with respect.
Jackson was a fast learner. By the end of the week, Timothy felt Jackson was ready to be assigned his first students. Jackson was assigned three elementary-aged students. He worked with them for the first time on Saturday. Jackson was enjoying his new job, and he felt that it would be a good fit.
Jackson had not been so caught up with work and school to forget about the meeting that night. He had mixed emotions about it. On the one hand, Jackson still couldn’t believe he was about to attend a church meeting on purpose. He was an outspoken critic of Christianity. On the other hand, however, Jackson could not seem to resist his curiosity. There had been something in the way Philip had spoken about Christ that intrigued Jackson, he just couldn’t explain it. Even if he was a hateful human being, the man seemed to be convinced that Jesus was the answer. Then there was the fact that the Longs were Christians. Jackson had always thought they were nice people, yet they didn’t fit his mental image of Christians.
It was with nervous anticipation that Jackson left the house to go to the meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Long had both left at different times and gone in different directions to avoid being followed.
When Jackson found the house Mr. Evans had told him about, Jackson knocked on the door and it was answered by a man Jackson didn’t know. He held out a piece of paper with an arc drawn on it, as if he expected Jackson to use it for something. Jackson noticed Mr. Rallison behind the man.
“Mason, he doesn’t know the symbol yet. He is with me. Let him in,” Mr. Rallison said to the man at the door.
With a suspicious glance, the man opened the door and allowed Jackson to enter.
Jackson was led to a small dining room, where everyone was seated around a table. Philip was at the head of the table, and everyone had a Bible open. Jackson sat down between Mr. Rallison and Mrs. Long.
“Now that everyone has arrived, we will begin with prayer. Does anyone have any prayer requests?” asked Philip, barely acknowledging Jackson’s existence.
One by one, everyone said what needed prayer in their lives. For some, it was physical ailments, for others, it was the souls of their family members. Jackson noticed that they never prayed for more money, even though he knew that Christians normally had a tough time getting decent jobs (most employers asked about religious status). He also noticed that people seemed more concerned when praying about spiritual things than physical things, as if they didn’t care much about material things.
When they got to Mr. Rallison, he said his biggest prayer request was that Jackson would be saved. Jackson felt uncomfortable because he knew everyone was watching him after Mr. Rallison said that. The prayer requests finished, and Philip told everyone to turn to John chapter four. They read the entire chapter, then Philip started talking about it. Jackson noticed a change in the old man when he spoke about the Bible.
“When Jesus says that the one who believes in him will never thirst, He is talking about the satisfaction we can have in Him. We don’t have to look for meaning elsewhere, because Jesus give us all the purpose we need. He died not only to forgive us, but to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. Would anyone like to add to that?” asked Philip.
Here, someone Jackson didn’t know chimed in.
“As someone who used to try to fill that hole with worldly pleasures, I can say firsthand that they do not compare to the joy I get from my relationship with God.”
Several heads nodded. More people continued talking, but Jackson wasn’t focusing on them. The man sounded genuine. Now that they were talking about it, Jackson realized that this was just what he was looking for. He had searched for meaning in work by trying to make money and survive, but deep down Jackson had always longed for more. If what these people were saying was true, it was exactly what Jackson was looking for. Jackson felt a change in himself. It was like suddenly, he had forgotten about his hate for Christians. He was thirsting to know more about “the Gospel”, and he wanted what these people had. They seemed so content despite their problems. Once the meeting ended, Jackson went up to Mr. Rallison to talk to him.
“Mr. Rallison, does Jesus really satisfy?”
“Jackson, Jesus is a life-giving fountain within believers. Paul explains in one of his letters that the joy and satisfaction he has in Jesus was sufficient both when he was in prison and when he walked as a free man; when he was starving and when he was full.”
Jackson thought for a moment. It seemed crazy to him, but Jackson knew what he had to do.
“Mr. Rallison, I’d like accept Jesus’ gift. How do I do it?”
Mr. Rallison explained to Jackson that he had to pray and ask Jesus to enter his heart; to forgive him of his sins make him a new creation. He told him that he had to repent of his former sins and believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and that he died on the cross to forgive sins, then resurrected three days later.
Jackson did this gladly. He felt like a different person. He had a reason to live now. Before too many people had left the meeting, Mr. Rallison got everyone’ attention.
“Jackson has an announcement he would like to make,” Mr. Rallison said.
Everyone looked at Jackson.
“I’ve accepted Jesus,” Jackson said shyly. T here was a moment on silence, then a great commotion. Everyone came up to meet him and tell him how exciting it was for them that Jackson had been saved.
After everyone had had a chance to talk to him, Mr. Long walked up to Jackson.
“Jackson, it’s great that you’re saved, but would you mind not telling Sophia? It would only be a cause of strife in our home, especially because she would think we were the reason you became Christian.”
Jackson had not been expecting this, but he agreed.
“Oh, and Jackson….”
“Yes Mr. Long?”
“Be careful who you tell about your faith. You’ll want to tell everyone you see, but show some wisdom. There are a lot of people who are, well, the same way you were.”
“Ok. I’ll be careful.”
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