The Preacher Boy

You could hear him before you saw him. No bigger than a minute.

He shouted, he shook, with all his might. Known as Lil’ Jake Bennett.

Standing on a street corner, wearing faded, denim overalls, toes poking through worn-out shoes, Lil’ Jake preached the word of God.

“Repent!” He cried. Tattered Bible in his hand.

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Ole man passing by said, “Young man, why you out here doing this? Why ain’t you home, playing with the other kids. This Jesus talk is for Sunday school. Don’t you know the town’s got rules. Go on home now and stop this yell’n, people don’t care what you’re a’tell’n.

“Mister, do you know Jesus? Did you know he died on an old, rugged tree, just to save you, and me?”

I can’t stop mister, because you see, Jesus, took me out of a horrible pit. Mama and Papa died. My brother and sister too…

All burned up in a fire…I was only five, but I knew…

Miss Mae came to my rescue. She said, “Jake, here’s what we gonna do…”

You’re coming home with me, but first, let’s pray.

“Jesus, keep your hand on lil Jake. Raise him up to preach your word. Lord, use him in a mighty way. To save souls, Lord, help him obey. Don’t let him ever give up preaching your word. This we ask today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

“Miss Mae, tell me about Jesus.”

“Jesus loves all the little children in the world. He loves you so much he died for you on an old rugged cross. But he didn’t stay in that grave. He rose on the third day. He is the Son of God. Ask him to save you and live in your heart and make everything new. Then preach his word wherever you go. Tell everyone about his great love.”

Sir, that was two years ago… “I’m just gett’n started. I won’t ever stop preaching about Jesus’ great love.”

Ole man shook his head… “Preacher Jake, that’s quite a story seems to me you give God all the glory. Keep doing what you’re a do’n son, and Oh by the way, will you pray. I believe ever-thing you say. It’s the best message I’ve ever heard. Tell me some more about God’s word.”

Lil Jake, is now, 80 years old. Four children, fifteen grandkids, ten great grandkids and one great gran. He still stands on the street corner, preaching God’s word. “Jesus loves you! Will you love him too? Ask him into your heart. Make you new!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 22, 2025

Romans 10:9-10 King James Version – ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 This story is fiction as far as Lil Jake goes but God’s word is True. If you don’t know Jesus and you want to know him. Just do what Lil Jake did. Ask him to come into your heart then live like Jesus is inside of you and do what Jesus says in his word. God bless you.