Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China, had a helper whose name was Neng-Kuei. He was a basket-maker by trade, but few could talk or preach better than he. When Neng-Kuei became a Christian he refused to work on Sunday, and so lost his job. Then when he refused also to make baskets to hold incense which was to be offered to heathen idols, he lost his chance to work in private homes. But he was a good basket-maker—none could make a better basket than he—so he was able to find enough work to keep him from begging, and he was happy.
One day he went to a rich home with his stock of baskets, and the Chinese ladies crowded around him and asked him to make some special baskets for holding incense. The house was being re-decorated and they wanted everything as nice as could be. Neng-Kuei did not notice a workman away up near the ceiling painting the guest hall, but he knew that when he refused to make the incense baskets, the Chinese ladies were very angry.
“What! Not make baskets for holding incense? Refuse an order for anything to be used in the service of Buddha?” They were very angry and the painter pricked up his ears to listen.
“Do not be angry, ladies,” replied the basket-maker. “I am sorry not to comply with your wishes, but I cannot make or sell anything for the worship of idols.”
“And why not? Why not?” asked the ladies, more surprised than ever.
“Because,” said Neng-Kuei, “I am a believer in the Lord Jesus.”
The painter stopped his work to listen.
“I am a believer in the Lord Jesus,” repeated Neng, “and a worshipper of the true and living God.”
While the ladies listened he told them about Jesus, the Son of God, who came down from heaven to die for sinners, he told them about God who is over all, until the ladies grew restless and impatient, and tottered off angry and indignant.
“What was that you were saying?” came a voice from up near the ceiling. It was the painter, Mr. Wang, for that was his name.
“You did not see me,” said Wang. “I am painting up here. What was it you were saying? I heard, but tell me again.”
And there in that rich home, in the great guest hall, where the ladies of the house had heard but had not heeded the wondrous message, Wang heard for himself, and for the first time in his life, the beautiful story of the love of God in sending His Son into this world to be the Saviour of all who will believe the gospel. Wang both heard and heeded and became a true and trusted follower of the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners.
In that beautiful guest hall that day, the Lord Himself had come as a guest, and He was welcomed not by the ladies of the home, but by a humble workman whom no one but He seemed to see. And today that same blessed holy Guest comes and knocks on the door of your heart, dear unsaved reader. Will He find a welcome, or will you turn Him away?
O Jesus, Thou art standing,
Outside the heart’s closed door,
In lowly patience waiting
To cross the threshold o’er:
You bear the name of Christian,
His name and sign you bear,
But oh, what shame upon thee
To keep Him standing there!
Admit Him for the human breast
Ne’er entertained so kind a guest;
No mortal tongue their joys can tell,
With whom He condescends to dwell.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20.
ML 08/27/1967