Jacob* went to Southeast Asia expecting to see people moved by the gospel … but he didn’t expect that he would be one of them.
He spent some time talking with students at a local university through a translator. The students gave him permission to ask a few questions to better understand their culture and religious beliefs. Jacob asked, “How do you get to heaven?”
A local student responded that he must first go to hell then he may be taken up to Heaven. Jacob was stunned. Suddenly, he knew which direction his testimony must take.
Jacob began sharing his story of faith. He told of his life and of Jesus Christ who changed it through His sacrifice. He told the students how the One True God died so they could live with Him in heaven.
With tears in his eyes, Jacob said, “I don’t even have to stop in hell first. I can go straight to heaven. And you can too.”
The local students quietly listened as Jacob’s translator relayed all of this information. Soon even the translator became emotional in front of the students. She told them that the forgiveness of Jesus was so real that she was moved to tears in front of them.
At that moment, Jacob became joyful through his tears. He knew that his life was forever changed by God’s grace and through sharing the message of his redemption.
The students stood amazed at the two people standing before them who were weeping with joy because of the love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. Despite not making a firm decision about Christ that day, they would not soon forget how this message touched Jacob and his translator so dearly.
*Name changed for security purposes