“Hey! Christi, are you signing up for soccer?” asked Julia.
“No,” replied Christi. “I thought about it but decided not to.”
“Why?”
“Because some of the games are on Sunday mornings.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Well, I go to Sunday school.”
“Can’t you miss a Sunday or two?”
“I suppose I could,” said Christi. “But I don’t want to.”
“What’s so special about Sunday school?”
“You mean you’ve never gone?”
“No, why should I?”
“Well, I like going because I have fun and learn how much Jesus loves me.”
“How do you know Jesus loves you?” asked Julia.
“Because He died on the cross for me.”
“What?” Julia asked. “What do you mean He died on a cross for you?”
“He was nailed to a cross for . . .”
“Christi, that’s disgusting!” shouted Julia. “That’s horrible. How could that prove anything to anyone?” Julia didn’t give Christi time to answer. She just stomped away.
Christi walked home from school by herself. She looked down at the ground and felt terrible. “Dear God, I’m sorry,” she cried. Tears streaming down her face, she opened the front door to her house and ran straight to her bedroom.
“Christi, what’s the matter?” Mom asked as she stepped into her room.
“Oh Mom,” she said. “Julia wanted me to sign up for soccer, but I told her I couldn’t because some of the games were on Sundays. I told her I liked Sunday school and learning how much Jesus loves me.”
“Christi, I am glad you made that decision,” Mom said.
“Mom, she asked me how I knew Jesus loved me and I told her because He was nailed to a cross for me.” Christi couldn’t talk. She cried and cried. “Mom, Julia said for Jesus to be nailed to a cross for me was disgusting. She cut me off and strutted down the street. Oh Mom, I feel awful.”
Mom held her close and Christi sobbed big sobs.
“Christi,” Mom said, “I know God was with you and I know He loves you very much. When you think about it, being nailed to a cross is pretty disgusting. It was painful and humiliating for Jesus. But He endured the cross because He loves us. You were right. People who don’t know Him don’t understand the cross. I bet you gave Julia something to think about.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes,” Mom said. “I know she is a good friend and she trusts you.”
“Do you think God will give me another chance to tell her how much Jesus loves her?”
“It’s possible,” Mom said. “Let’s be thankful for today. God was with you.”
Christi stopped her crying and smiled. Mom started singing and Christi joined in,
“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.”
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," (Matthew 28:11 NIV).
