Some Soup with Jesus (Love is the Answer)
It’s a sham to choose between freedom and love, two brilliant facets of a single precious jewel. The freedom of compulsory love is deception. Freedom to love without fear is sacred.
I first saw him as he stood on the cracked stoop
With hands extended, expectant: “Coins for soup?”
The resident worshipers feigned empathy,
And then queried their guest: “Do you know the cost
Of the true bread of life, God’s gift to the lost?”
He said, “I’m just hungry, so loose change will do.
It’s a mere meager meal that I’m asking of you,
Or some of that free bread you made mention of.”
“Free? Though we welcome you to come inside,
There’s a cost for compassion. We can provide,
But step within – that seems a small enough price –
For a place in our privileged paradise.”
Now, here’s where I entered the story to say:
“Where I’m from, it’s said that salvation is free,
So, dear man, if you’re hungry, just come with me.
If it’s redemption you need, then soup comes first:
Strength for your journey and relief for your thirst.”
We walked to the next block, my new friend and I,
And up to a kinder door. We walked on through
To where Jesus himself asked, “Table for two?”