Years ago, when car phones were just becoming a thing, our real estate business posted signs on an office building we managed. The building lacked parking, and the signs gave the usual warnings. They also encouraged people to call our number if there was a problem.
Sometimes, on short visits, I’d pull my car onto the curb to create a little extra room in the driveway. It wasn’t a legal parking space, but it didn’t harm anyone or anything.
One day somebody saw me do this and took real offense. I don’t know why it was such a big deal to him, but this guy was really upset. “You can’t park like that, it’s illegal,” he bellowed. “You don’t own the damn road.”
I responded politely, explaining it was just for a minute, nobody was being blocked, and it wasn’t hurting anything.
But he wasn’t being polite, and threatened to call the property manager. At this I chuckled and said, “Sure, go for it.”
Which of course he did, using the phone number on the sign. Little did he know there was nobody in the office at the time, so all the calls were forwarded to …. you guessed it, my car phone.
So he dials the number, and my car phone starts ringing. I open the car, pick up the phone, look right at him, and say into the phone, “Hi, I’m the property owner, is there something I can help you with?”
Speechless, flummoxed, and embarrassed, he just grunted something, hung up, and walked away. One more happy customer.
It’s a fun story, at least for me, but I was thinking about it in context of the devotions I’m writing for Easter. The devotions follow Jesus and his entourage as they head toward Jerusalem. Along the way they encounter stubborn Samaritans, grumpy pastors, and self-centered religious leaders. They get lost, trip on potholes, develop blisters, and wonder where the next meal is coming from. They also see miracles and hear some amazing truths.
I wonder how many times somebody along the way complained to Jesus. “You can’t park there, it’s not legal.” Or maybe, “You can’t stop there for a picnic, that’s private property.” Maybe even, “Sorry, we don’t serve your type at this restaurant.”
I’m speculating, obviously. Which is the point of the devotions. But it still makes me pause and wonder, how might Jesus have responded to those comments? He is God, and he’s being told he can’t have a picnic on that nice patch of grass?
Can you imagine the temptation to look the bossy dude in the eye, and say, “Hi, I’m the property manager, is there something I can help you with?”