'The Last Temptation' and Derek...

Derek sobbed from his very being, deep shudders of emotion. I felt them as I sat next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Estelle felt them as she held Derek's hand. The whole room at Faith House felt them as they watched on and listened.

We'd heard a lot from Derek that night. Slightly the worse for wear he had pushed boundaries, let his agitation spill over into the group, patiently the men at the drop in gave him space to do his drunk thing in their community. His day hadn't been good, kicked out and banned from five other places he came to Faith House and he had something to say.

Through the tears and the sobs he caught the attention the whole room.

As he was kicked out of McDonald's a mother and a child ran after him with some french fries and a coffee. Something profound in that simple act of kindness hit Derek between the eyes and took him back to what he had read.

"For fifty years I've been banging my head up against a brick wall, but now I know..."

"What do you know Derek?" Estelle coaxed.

"He did it ... for me"

"He ... Jesus stayed on the cross for me ?"

"Someone gave me a book when I was in the cells, I only read the end ... Jesus could have got off the cross, got married and could've had six kids but he didn't, he stayed on the cross for me and now I know..."

The drama of the moment continued to grow as Derek looking down at the floor continued to sob.

"...and I am so sorry ... so sorry"

What had brought it all crashing back for Derek?

As he was kicked out of McDonald's a mother and a child ran after him with some french fries and a coffee. Something profound in that simple act of kindness hit Derek between the eyes and took him back to what he had read.

Hands up all those who boycotted 'Last Temptation of Christ....?' Seemingly 'The Last Temptation' written by Nikos Kazantzakis brought Derek to the place where he could not escape the selfless love seen in Jesus!! Well what do you know...!

Looking up he looked at the men who had stayed for our end of the night thought, "and I am sorry I've been a bl**dy *rse tonight too!!"

Comments

The upsycho said…
For such as you do unto the least of these...
2:51 PM
Anonymous said…
this is generating conversation with many on FB too! thanks for a great post.
10:15 AM
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