Lake Harbor, Florida

When Derick Lee walked into the home of Jacquie Hagler in Lake Harbor, Florida last Friday, all he saw were 15 women attending a jewelry party. Moments later he was fleeing from the scene because of one he hadn't seen: Jesus.

 

Lee's intent was to rob the women of whatever money they had with them. At first the women gathered for the party thought it was a gag, and laughed at the gun Lee held, thinking it was only a water pistol. When Lee showed them some of the bullets in the gun, they realized this was no gag. But instead of emptying their purses for the thief, they did something quite unexpected.

 

Jacquie took the lead by standing up and saying, "In the name of Jesus, get out of my house now!" Lee threatened to shoot someone if they didn't start handing him their money. But the others, emboldened by their hostess' actions, stood with her and began chanting, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". Looking bewildered, Lee turned and ran from the house - empty-handed. (He was arrested later.)

 

I personally know a man of strong faith who, years ago, was held up at gunpoint by man demanding his wallet. This man of faith handed him his wallet (it likely didn't contain much money), but then asked the man to let him pray with him before he left. The offer of spiritual intercession was more than the thief expected, and he handed back the wallet and ran.

 

Though I wouldn't say this is a guaranteed way to stop a robbery, these are two compelling cases of Jesus overpowering would-be criminals.

 

Another man I've read about was on a mission to hurt people, but was also overpowered by the Lord. Saul of Tarsus, a leader of the Jewish faithful of his day, was incensed at this new band of followers of Jesus. He regarded them as blasphemers, a capital crime in the Jewish religion. Luke tells us that he "went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem" (Acts 9:1,2). Saul was a man, Luke tells us, who was "breathing out threats and murders against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1). He wasn't playing around!

 

Before reaching Damascus Jesus confronted Saul in a blinding light. Saul quickly realized his enormous error, and addressed Jesus as "Lord" (Acts 9:5,6). Three days later Saul was told to arise and be baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 9:18; 22:16). After his baptism he spent the rest of his life preaching "the faith which he once tried to destroy" (Galatians 1:23). He had been overpowered.

 

Years later Paul (formerly known as Saul) wrote about some in the church in Corinth who had once been thieves, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, etc. In that condition, he said, one cannot inherit the kingdom of God. "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

 

We commend Jacquie and her friends for their courageous faith in the face of potential harm. But it's the power of Jesus that really amazes us. One has to wonder how many criminals or potential criminals the Lord has overpowered through the centuries.

 

Timothy D. Hall.