The man is dying. Do you still want the room?
By Elizabeth Prata
Our pastor preached a parable from Matthew the other day. He explained an anecdote from the biography of Adoniram Judson. Judson was raised Christian. He went to college. He roomed with a magnetic, charming non-believer named Jacob Eames who slowly drew Judson away from the faith. Judson did not share this with his parents, but after a while, Judson apostatized. After Judson graduated he finally told his parents he wasn’t a Christian any more.
He asked for his inheritance like the Prodigal, which was a horse and some money. His mom sank to her knees and started praying right then. Judson left anyway. He desired to write plays in New York City. Later, Judson found his life of sin was not as fulfilling as he thought it’d be. This perplexed Judson.
One day he was riding thru a small town he never went to before and lodged at an inn he was unfamiliar with. Innkeeper said there was only 1 room but in the next door room a man lay dying, probably not make it thru the night. Do you want the room? Judson said fine, ‘OK, I’ll take the room, I’m not afraid of death’.
All night people whispered coming and going, taking care of the unwell man. Judson heard moanings and groanings from the man. Finally the man was quiet. Judson was disturbed about the proximity of eternity for the man, thoughts which soon turned to himself. Am I ready for eternity? Judson thought. He became troubled.
Judson fell asleep, awakening the next day feeling good and bounded downstairs for breakfast. He inquired of the man. The Innkeeper said the man did indeed die. Judson was sad, and began to think about the man’s eternity. He asked if the Innkeeper knew the man’s name. “Oh yes, It was Jacob Eames.”
Just 21 years old, charming magnetic vibrant Eames was dead and facing hell forever. Judson was so shocked, because he knew this was from God; the happenstance of finding this little village, this inn, the last room, the dying man he used to room with in college just a year ago, heard his groanings of his last night on earth…now dead. Judson stayed stock still in shock for three hours.
He didn’t convert right then but this was a key moment. Adoniram WAS in fact, scared to death of death. He enrolled in seminary that year and soon after, became one of the very first missionaries to leave America for other tribes far away, dedicating his life to Christ.
The Lord does pursue His people.
I think of that heartbroken mother on her knees praying Adoniram as he left the house. I am sure she continued praying. If you have a prodigal child, don’t stop praying. If the child is one of His, Jesus will seek that lost sheep and bring him home. if he is not one of His, your prayers glorify Jesus in any case. And our chief end is to give Him glory no matter our own desires, circumstances, or feelings.
Further Resources:
Ligonier: 5 Minutes in Church History (audio with transcript): Adoniram Judson
IMB essay: Missionaries You Should Know: Adoniram Judson
Book: To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson
