The Interviewer (*A Christian Story*)

I wanted to share this story. It is probably one that many of you have heard. I cannot remember where I first heard it. I certainly cannot take credit for it. But it is beautiful and wonderful, and my Mother in law was telling me that I should share it, because it has intensified her desire to know God, and I hope that it will touch you in the same way.1

There were three men who had just passed on to the next life, waiting in the foyer to be interviewed before entering heaven. The point of the interviews was to determine what wisdom they had gained during their life on Earth. All three men appeared to be similar in outward appearance, they were all in their late fifties, had all been on a bus that had crashed just moments before. They were all similarly shocked and confused by the glory and wonder all around them. They knew instinctively where they were, but the shock of death overwhelmed them. They sat with their heads down in deep contemplation. The interviewer came to the door of his office and called the first man back. The man walked silently behind the interviewer, thinking through all the lessons he had learned. They sat down in the interviewer's office and comfortably chatted for a few moments. Then the important question came: "Please, tell me what you know about Christ."2

"Um, Christ? As in Jesus Christ? Well, I'm afraid I don't know very much." The man stumbled over his words and looked suddenly extremely uncomfortable.3

"That's all right, just tell me what you do know."4

"Uh, well, he was an important historical figure and he, uh, well, he was in the bible. He was a proponent of peace and, um, mercy"5

"That will do, friend. That will do. My final question for you today is have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior?"6

"Savior? I don't need a savior. I have been good all my life, I have struggled and worked hard to get here. Why should I need a savior?"7

Suddenly, a flood of memories came rushing through the man's head. All the times in his life that he had hurt some one, or made some mistake. He came to know, while sitting there, all the consequences of the sins that he had committed, every unkind word, every slightly dishonest act. His heart became heavy. He felt like his spirit could not move, he was so heavy with the sin that he now felt. 8

The interviewer looked at the man with a sad expression, tears rolling down his face. "Well, I suppose that concludes our discussion. Thank you for your time. Please wait in the lobby."9

The man rose up from the seat, his face an expression of tragedy. He had never fully realized the affects of his mistakes. He slowly walked to the chair in which he had been seated earlier. The next man knew that it was his turn. He walked into the office and sat in front of the desk. The interviewer's chair was turned away and for a few moments the man began to wonder if everything was alright. It was then that the chair turned and the man saw the interviewer. He was beautiful, all dressed in resplendent white. He was perfect looking in every way accept for the look of sorrow in his tear stained eyes. The interviewer made him comfortable and assured him that yes, this was heaven and that this interview was just a formality. They discussed many things, all the while; the man became more and more relaxed with the interviewer. Then they came to the final questions.10

"Tell me, my dear friend, what do you know of the Christ?"11

"Oh, Jesus Christ? I know so much about him! I have read the New Testament thousands of times, and I just knew that you would ask this question! I'm glad that I'm so prepared!" The man went on to regale the interviewer with a full and vivid accounting of the New Testament, practically reciting it word for word.12

"Thank you, friend. I am so glad that you have read the Gospel. Now I have one last question. Have you accepted Christ as your savior?"13

"Yes, yes, of course I have. I go to church every Sunday, don't I? I am a God fearing man, and I have followed the scriptures TO THE LETTER every day of my life. I have accepted Christ into my life, of course."14

The interviewer closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Have you asked for forgiveness of your sins?" Suddenly, the man was washed over by a remembrance of his sins. He saw the consequences of all his actions. He had repented of some, especially when he was a young boy, but there were others, ones that he had forgotten. Ones that he hadn't realized were sins. He left the office silently and sat down in the lobby, to think about the things he had learned. 15

The third man seemed reluctant to stand and walk into the office. He had sat there all this time and remembered all the mistakes he had made, All the sins that he wished that he could take back. He was a recent convert to Christ, and he felt the love of God with fervor as he walked into that office, but he still could not help but wonder why those other men had been so down trodden as they came from the office. The Interviewer was again turned around in his chair, perhaps contemplating still, the man that had come in before. The third man sat down in front of the desk. But as the interviewer turned around, the man jumped from his seat in wonder and shock as recognition of the man in front of him hit. He fell to the ground and tears of joy sprung to his eyes. He gasped for breathe and cried in a ragged voice, "My God! My Lord! My Savior! My Christ!"16

I do not know if there is any more to this story. And while I have embellished liberally upon this anecdote, I will not make up what happens to these men, for I am not the one who sits upon the judgment seat, I cannot say if a person can or cannot go to heaven. Not even fictional people. I am not even certain if this scene can even happen in this way. It is just a story. I only know 2 things. I know, for a surety that I know just about nothing. And I know that I want to be like that third man. I want to recognize Jesus when I meet him face to face. I want this with a burning passion. Even if I accomplish nothing else in this life, I hope to achieve that kind of relationship with my Savior. I leave this with you with my testimony that I know Christ and Heavenly Father live. And it is my desire to serve them, if I can. Thank you for your time and thank you for reading my little story. Amen.17