Does Jesus Live Here?

A stranger appeared one day at the door of a farmhouse. His knock brought the farmer's wife, and the stranger asked her, "Does Jesus Christ live here?"

Looking at him closely, she found that he was a well-dressed man, and that his manner was altogether earnest and serious. She didn't know what to say, and the seconds lengthened into minutes, when he asked again, "Does Jesus Christ live here?" Upon receiving no reply, he lowered his head and walked quickly and quietly away, got into his carriage, and drove off.

The woman was completely baffled, and at the same time ashamed that her surprise had resulted in a total inability to speak. She hastened out to her husband, who was working in the field, and said, all out of breath, "John, a stranger just drove up to the house, came to the door, and asked me if Jesus Christ lives here."

Her husband said: "Well, Mary, did you tell him that we contribute heavily to the preacher's salary, that we say grace at our meals, that we send the children to church school, that we subscribe to the mission program of the church? Did you tell him that you are the secretary of the Ladies' Aid, and that I am a member of the church board?"

His wife said: "It wasn't any of those things he wanted to know, John. He asked me, 'Does Jesus Christ LIVE here?' and, John, that's different!"

By Donald F. Haynes