Idaho faith: Jesus sometimes has ‘bad salesmen.’ Get to know the Christ of Scripture

Several years ago, I worked in an automotive parts warehouse for a man named Roy.

Roy was a genius when it came to automobiles, and the business was built around Roy and his partner, Mike. Although the building was not very impressive, we did an incredible amount of business supplying garages, heavy construction contractors and walk-in customers.

One day, while at the front counter, a sales representative for one of the brands we sold came in and asked to speak to Roy about the product he represented. Roy was reluctant to interrupt his busy schedule to meet with this gentleman, but finally decided to give him some time. I escorted him to Roy’s office and left them to discuss their mutual business.

After about an hour, they came out of the office, shook hands and the salesman left. As the visitor was getting into his car, Roy stood with me at the counter, watched him through the front windows and made a terse but memorable observation: “That’s a wonderful product, but unfortunately it is being represented by a bad salesman!”

At the time, I was a young, aspiring minister with a family and a heart filled with dreams about the future. When I heard Roy make that statement, I immediately transferred that observation to the presentation of the gospel about Jesus Christ.

I was convinced, both from Scripture and my personal experience, that Jesus was a wonderful savior who would transform people’s lives — if only they would put their trust in him. As I stood watching the salesman leave and listened to Roy’s assessment, I wondered whether Jesus did not also suffer from bad representatives.

Through the years, I have come back to the front counter at the warehouse and continued to think about a “wonderful product” represented by a bad salesman. I had to honestly confess that I have been embarrassed by some who claimed to be representing Jesus, including some of my own careless attempts. There have been some presentations of Jesus that have left terrible distortions and impressions.

Sometimes there has been a huge difference between the Jesus of Scripture and the way he has been portrayed in the testimonies of the lives and witness of some who claim to represent him. Those who knew him best described him as the perfect friend, confidante and life companion. He loved rebellious people so much that he willingly gave his life as the full payment for their sins. They were amazed at his gentleness, and his capacity to focus on every person in need. The next individual he met was the most important person in his life.

If Jesus has been presented to you by “bad salesmen,” I sincerely apologize. After over 55 years of walking with the Lord, I have become increasingly convinced that he is a wonderful savior who can be trusted in every circumstance in life, but he has not always been represented well.

Please suspend your bad impressions! Look around those who have exampled him poorly because they are blocking your path to his throne of grace. Christ is not mad, but desires to be close to you. He is only a prayer of invitation away.

Many years ago, I bought a small paperback book that cost me 95 cents, but it contained one sentence that has motivated me since. “If Jesus Christ is properly represented, it is almost impossible to resist him!”

I agree.