The I AM Man

Why the old man wandered in two hours early
was a mystery to the proficient cooks
readying the charity meal in the old church hall.

Serving the weekly supper always started at five.
The old man had no reason to arrive so early,
but there he sat in the old church hall.

Chatting as they enjoyed their sandwiches
was their weekly ritual, while they diligently
prepared the evening's dishes in the old church hall.

The man was annoying!  Where did he get the nerve
to show up early... watch wistfully?
He had no business being in the old church hall!

One long-time member shook her head in frustration;
Could he not read the sign...how precise could it be?
~ FREE SUPPER ~
~ SERVED AT FIVE ~
~ IN THE OLD CHURCH HALL

With a haughty sigh at his crudeness, she grumbled of
his rudeness, then reluctantly, her grudging hands
held out a sandwich in the old church hall.

"No thank you, Miss.  I'm not hungry now."
His sad eyes captured hers and drew them into his own.
She saw no condemnation...only loneliness.

Then...for one split-second...
she heard
the still, small voice of Jesus in the old church hall:

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for Me."

Shaken, the woman sat by the shabby man.
"Are you okay?"          "Yes, indeed," he replied,
as a broad smile lit up his weathered face.
"Yes.    I Am."

Exodus 3:13, 14
Matthew 25:40