40 Days with Jesus: Day Ten

A United Methodist pastor in a small Kansas town decided to carry a cardboard cutout of Jesus with him every day for the 40 days of Lent. This series will document some of their adventures. We have affectionately taken to calling the cutout, "CJ" which stands for "Cardboard Jesus."

By Vicky Miller

Several weeks ago Jeff and I made plans to eat out with some friends who live about an hour away. This is the e-mail exchange that took place this week between Jeff and our friend, John.

John: We're good for Friday evening. Need to decide where to eat.

Jeff: Wherever we eat, the restaurant will need to be able to allow me to bring Jesus along. Instead of giving something up for Lent, I decided to take something on––a 6'2" life-size replica of Jesus. Vicky, I, and CJ (cardboard Jesus) can come by and pick you up. What time?

Our friends fixed supper for us at their house. To be honest, John had just flown in from an out-of-state trip and was ready to just stay home.

When we arrived at their home, after John’s wife greeted all of us, Jeff set Jesus up by the front door. We were in the middle of supper, and I told Jeff I felt like we were leaving Jesus out, so Jeff moved him where we could see him.

Our friends have some interesting pets. They have a tailless cat named Bob and a bird named Cito that meows and sneezes, “ah ah choo!” (He bobs his head on the “choo” part.) The bird meowed at Jesus while the cat scratched at him. I must say I had a “Twilight Zone” moment when I looked over at the cat, but the bird was saying, “meow, meow.”

We had a very enjoyable evening. Besides the delicious meal, we had a great time of fellowship together. We talked about how churches need to be outward focused, but not for the sake of enlarging their own congregation. John talked about a significant ministry that their church started which will probably not net a financial return or increase their attendance. They started it because there was a need. They are investing themselves in people that God loves, and I have a feeling the rewards will be great.