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An Easter Morning View: A Story

An Easter Morning View: A Story

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“Greetings, you who are blessed.”  The female voice was lovely and soothing, but also insistent. 

Zara shifted amidst her restless sleep.  How does one sleep soundly the night before they are executed?  And especially on a lumpy cot in a smelly prison cell?

The voice spoke again … again in Arabic.  “Listen to me, Zara.  I have something to share with you.”  Zara’s mind engaged, and a lovely woman came into focus.  She was wearing a golden fitted dress with a blue sash that matched her striking blue eyes.  Her hair was long and brilliantly blonde.  She radiated a subtle glow – like sunshine reflecting off a lake.

The lovely woman repeated her first words, “Greetings, you who are blessed.”  She smiled warmly.

Zara realized she wasn’t awake.  Her prison room wasn’t visible.  Only the woman before her.  “Is this a dream?” Zara asked.

“In a manner of speaking,” came the reply.  “Except what you see in this dream is absolutely real.”

What was this?  Who was this?  Though understandably startled, remarkably Zara felt no fear.  “Who are you?” she finally asked.

“I am Auria.  I serve as a messenger for your God and mine.”  Auria smiled again.  “As I said, you are a blessed one.”

Tears welled up in Zara’s eyes.  “I realize I am blessed that I know the Way, the Truth and the Life.  I am so thankful for that … especially in this land where so many do not, and where those who do are hated.”  She shook her head sadly.  “I know I am blessed … even if it is costing me my life.  My earthly life,” she clarified.  More tears flowed.  “But it is not easy.”  Zara dropped her eyes.  When she finally spoke again, it was in a whisper.  “My own family has disowned me.”

Auria moved closer and placed her hand on Zara’s shoulder.  “I know.  Jesus knows too.  All of which is why you are one of the blessed ones.”  Auria kissed Zara’s head and gently stroked her hair. “Come with me.  I have something to show you.”

Zara sensed a subtle movement – a shift of her presence – though there was no sight, sound or feeling of the action.  It was brief, and then she felt herself “settling” again.

Slowly she became aware that she was looking into the darkness of night.  She shifted her focus repeatedly, trying to identify where she was and what she was looking at.  Auria was silent, so Zara was too.  Minute by minute, the darkness was retreating as the first hints of morning were being revealed.  Before her and below her she could just barely discern the features of a rocky hillside.

Then Zara caught sight of movement at the base of the hillside as the darkness receded.  She gasped quietly.  “What was that?” she whispered. 

“The Roman guard,” was Auria’s reply, her voice at normal volume. Zara’s head jerked around to look at her.  Auria smiled.   “Don’t worry.  They can’t hear us, though we can hear them.”  Proof of the fact came as a soldier shifted his stance, and his spear snicked against his armor.

Auria’s initial words set Zara’s mind racing.  Where would they be that they could observe Roman soldiers?  And not modern ones, but clearly ancient ones?  And then it hit Zara like a thunder bolt.  “The Roman guard!” Zara exclaimed, her voice still subdued.  “Are we where I think we are?

“Yes indeed.  We are looking at the outside of Jesus’ tomb.”

Zara was dumbfounded.  Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.  “How can this be?” she finally asked, incredulously.

Auria put her arm around Zara and laughed warmly.  “Did I not tell you that you were blessed?  And you should know that with the Lord, nothing is impossible.”

The angel continued, but there was now awe in her voice.  “In fact, there are countless others observing this morning with you.  They come from all over the world and all points of history.  But they have two things in common: they believe that Jesus their Savior rose from the dead … and they are experiencing tremendous personal hardship.  Just like you.”

Once again, Zara was stunned.  “How can this be?” she asked again.  But she quickly caught herself, shook her head and said, “I know, I know.” – then, speaking along with Auria, “With the Lord, nothing is impossible.”

Auria nodded in agreement.  “It’s incomprehensible to humans; it’s astounding even to angels. The Lord in his love provides this view to a few who already know the truth, but who could use some spiritual encouragement in times of great trial.”  Auria wrapped an arm around Zara again.  “Like you … and others like you who are also here, unseen.”

Zara’s eyes welled with tears.  “I’m incredibly grateful to be so blessed,” she whispered emotionally.

By this time, enough light filtered onto the scene before them that Zara could see four Roman soldiers standing attentively, spaced out evenly before a rounded piece of rock – the covering over the tomb where Jesus body lay. 

Auria filled the silence.  “Never in the history of the world has so much effort been taken to keep a dead body in place.  A Roman seal banning the movement of an already incredibly heavy rock, and a trained and diligent Roman guard barring anyone from even considering it.  At least, anyone human.”  Her voice took on a humorous lilt.  “But none of it will work.”

“Watch carefully now,” she instructed.  “Things are about to get very interesting!”

Just a moment later, a low rumbling sound began.  The Roman soldiers looked at one another in alarm and began to exclaim excitedly.  Zara didn’t recognize their words but intuitively understood what they were saying.  It was something to the effect of, “Oh no!  Earthquake!  Another earthquake!”

The rumbling intensified, and then actual waves could be seen rolling across the surface of the ground.  Loud booms and cracks could be heard as rocks split in the wrenching action.  The four soldiers were toppled like they had been struck down in battle.

Then came the explosion of glory! 

In an instant, two brilliantly beaming beings dressed in pure white stood over the men.  They appeared as suddenly and unexpectedly as a lightening bolt.  But unlike a bolt, their painfully bright flash didn’t disappear; it remained present, obvious, overwhelming, and incapacitating.  The entire area around the tomb entrance was lit with their glory, and everything was brighter than sunshine at midday.

The petrified guards on the ground covered their heads with their shields and curled into fetal positions … their visible shaking obvious even to Zara; their cries of terror filling the air.

One of the angels strode purposely to the tomb entrance, placed his hand alongside the large stone door, and flicked his wrist.  The massive obstruction careened violently out of its base, along the carved track (uphill!), bounced over the notch for storing the stone before use, and toppled onto the hillside with a loud crash – crushing the worthless Roman seal strapped over it. 

The soldiers cringed as one at the ear-splitting “detonation” of the door-of-rock collapsing onto more rock, and their writhing on the ground ceased.  It was panic overload; they had fainted from fear.

The angels moved into positions on each side of the tomb entrance, and dropped to their knees, their heads bowed; their brilliance now more subdued.  They began singing.  It was a gorgeous, heavenly song … a song of praise, the likes of which had never been heard on earth before. 

And then Jesus stepped into view in the opening!

Zara gasped with unbridled joy.  Her hands covered her mouth, and tears rolled down her cheeks.  He’s alive again!

Jesus paused for a moment there, just on the inside of the tomb.  Then he stooped a bit, crossed through the doorway, and rose to full height again – resplendent in a pure white gown.  At that instant, a beam of sunshine broke free from the clouds and illuminated his face.  He was smiling; his immense joy easily evident.  He had accomplished all he had come to accomplish.  His task was completed; his body alive again.

He raised his view, and his hands, heavenward – the nail marks in his wrists clear to see.  “Father, everything is now fully fulfilled!”  His fingers closed slowly and fiercely into two victorious fists.  (Though he spoke in ancient Aramaic, Zara miraculously understood every single word.)

She was overwhelmed with emotion.  She had never witnessed anything that had moved her so profoundly.  Everything she believed was revealed before her very own eyes!  And everything she was about to sacrifice … was for everything she had properly believed!

Jesus lowered his gaze and his hands a bit.  His fingers opened again as in supplication.  It seemed as if he was looking directly at Zara, (though she knew others were also watching).  Then he spoke again.  “You have a living Savior, therefore you have a living hope … no matter what you are enduring.”

Zara was overcome.  She began sobbing uncontrollably.  How astounding that Jesus would endure so very much to save her!  How astounding he would do all that for her … and also share all this with her!

Just that quickly Jesus was gone. 

The last thing the tearful woman saw was one angel moving over to sit on the collapsed door, while the other leaned against the hillside.  “They will move inside the tomb soon.  Visitors are on the way,” Auria informed her.

The angel wrapped her arm affectionately around Zara once again, and spoke softly, “Blessed are you who have seen.”  She paused.  “And, in Jesus’ words, ‘blessed also are those who have not seen yet still believe.’” (Jn. 20:29)

Auria tightened her embrace and smiled at the future martyr.  ‘“He is risen!’” is a rallying cry for all of God’s people of all time.  For all have their own struggles, and all need to know their Savior is alive.  His resurrection makes all of life’s difficulties easier.  Even the most horrific.”

The angel released Zara and pointed toward the tomb.  “One more thing while we are here,” Auria said.  “Look on the hillside.  What do you see in the morning light?”

“The hillside is carpeted with beautiful red flowers!”

“Yes.  The local people call the flowers Kalanits – also known as red poppies.  It’s springtime here, and they bloom everywhere in this region at this time of year.  The Kalanit is dearly loved here; it signifies life and peace.  Which seems appropriate, does it not?”

“Yes!  It does!” Zara replied exuberantly.  She wiped away the tears from her eyes with her palms, then soaked in the view.  An open and empty tomb … in a hillside covered with Kalanits.  “It’s all so beautiful and wonderful.”  The awe was evident in her voice.

Auria touched Zara’s shoulder softly.  “We must return,” she stated quietly.  Again, all went briefly dark as they repositioned.  Just that quickly, Zara was back on her prison cot – asleep yet aware. 

Auria was still near.  “I must say goodbye now.  But this is a temporary goodbye.  You will see me again tomorrow.  Much more importantly, you will see your resurrected Savior again tomorrow.” 

The angel was somber, but also cheerful.  She continued, “Your name is Zara, which means “Shining” or “Radiance.”  It is a fitting name for you already now.  It will be an even more fitting name for you tomorrow, for you will literally be “Shining” and “Radiant” by Jesus’ side.”

Tears of joy rolled down Zara’s cheeks.  “Thank you for all you have showed me and shared with me,” she said to the angel.  “It helps so much.”

“Thank the Lord.  And it was my pleasure.”  The angel faded from view, but her voice was heard one more time.  “You’ll find a special gift from me when you wake up.”

When the execution escort arrived to get Zara the next morning, they were astounded to see that she was smiling … and that she was holding a lovely Kalanit in her hand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few additional comments:

  • In this story, the events at the tomb on Easter morning are pictured a bit differently from an earlier Easter story I wrote and shared on this blog … “I Killed Him. But Not for Long.” The reality is we simply don’t know how it happened.  For example, how did the angels make their appearance to the soldiers?  And did the angels appear first, followed by the earthquake, or vice-versa?  Or were they actually simultaneous?  And how long before the soldiers fainted from fear?  Instantly?  Or did they linger a bit before being overcome?

  • A fascinating question is … did one angel materialize and terrify the guards or two? Similarly, did one angel or two appear to the women in the tomb?  Matthew and Mark speak of one appearing to the guards, and Mark of one speaking to the women in the tomb; Luke states that two were present with the women and spoke to them.  The simple explanation would seem to be that one angel is mentioned by some of the gospel writers because one angel rolled away the stone, and one angel spoke to the women.  Luke’s reference to the plural – “the men said to them” (Lk. 24:5) – simply implies that this was the message that both the angels were sent to share … even if only one spoke it. Another possibility is that the women arrived in two groups at slightly different times – with one group seeing one angel, and another group two.  Again, we can’t know exactly how things transpired. I chose to picture two angels arriving and present at the tomb throughout.

  • Many suggest that Jesus in his resurrected and spiritual body simply exited the tomb through the rock and was already gone when the angels arrived. They surmise that the angel/s rolled away the stone … NOT to let Jesus out, BUT to let others see in. This is certainly possible, and may even have been the case.  (Scripture doesn’t tell us.)   However, I have always loved the picture of Jesus walking out of the tomb opening on Easter morning alive … after being carried into it dead.  So that is how I portrayed it.

  • Kalanit poppies are a real thing, and they really do bloom in spring around Jerusalem. It is very possible … perhaps even likely … that there were some blooming near Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Peter 1:3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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A Different and Better Kingdom: A Story

A Different and Better Kingdom: A Story

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“We will stop here for a moment,” Jesus stated to his followers.  The numbers traveling with Jesus continued to grow; his miracles and messages making him one of the most revered Rabbis in the land.  A murmur of surprise … with an undertone of concern … arose from the group.  This was not the safest area on the outskirts of Jerusalem. 

The questioning whispers rose in volume and intensity when Jesus gestured to “The Wandering Sheep” gathering house, and announced, “I must go in there.”  The facility was well-known for catering to the less spiritual crowd and their unwholesome fancies.  “Peter, John, James … come with me.”  To the others he said, “Rest a bit; we’ll be back shortly.”

A short distance from the entrance, Jesus paused and turned to the three disciples.  “I want you to simply watch, listen and learn.  No matter what, don’t get involved.”  His voice was firm and he locked eyes with each of them in turn.  “No matter what, don’t get involved,” he repeated.

The three exchanged uneasy glances.  Finally, Peter asked the question on all their minds.  “Teacher, is this safe?”

“No.  Not for most.  But it will be for us,” Jesus replied, then turned to the door.

Even before entering, the din of the clientele inside could be heard.  Boisterous exclamations, boasts, curses, and wine-fueled guffaws filled the air.  It all turned to silence as the four stepped inside the door.  They were greeted with menacing stares and shifting postures from the tables around the room.

“Don’t mind us.  We’ll only be here briefly,” Jesus announced matter-of-factly, and with a strikingly calm voice.  Though eyes remained on them, the newcomers didn’t appear threatening, so conversations gradually resumed.  But in a much more subdued tone.

Jesus led his disciples directly to a table in the corner, the eyes of most still following them suspiciously.  There sat three middle-aged men with wine cups before them, glaring at the newcomers.  The man in the center was tall and handsome with jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes.  Even at first glance, the disciples couldn’t help but notice his confidence and charisma.  And his menace.  The two others with him looked equally threatening.

“Who are you and why are you here,” the man in the center growled.

The Lord answered, “Hello, Jesus Barabbas.  Gestas.  Dismas.”

The leader leaned closer, glowering.  “How do you know our names?”

“I know many, many things, Barabbas,” said the Lord.  “You would be wise to listen to me.”

“And who exactly are you, that I should listen to you?”

The Lord replied, “You are Jesus Barabbas – which means ‘Savior, Son of the Father.’  Ironically, I am also Jesus, Savior, and Son of the Father.  But my Father is not of this world. (Mt. 23:9) Which is why the truly wise truly listen to me.”

At hearing his name, the three rogues started in surprise.  Barabbas scowled.  “I’ve heard of you, Jesus.  Ironic we have the same name, because you seem to preach a different type of salvation than I do.”

“Yes.  It is the Father’s holy irony,“ the Savior replied with a grim smile.  “Our paths are linked, Barabbas.  And in more ways than just our common names.  You can’t fathom it now, but it will be made clear to you in time.”  He paused.  “And you are correct; we preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

“You are speaking in riddles, teacher.”  The word “teacher” was spoken by Barabbas with acute sarcasm.  “I don’t much care for riddles.”

“The wise understand; the foolish do not.  Those who have ears … hear.” (Mk. 4:9)  Jesus glanced meaningfully at Dismas.  Dismas blinked in surprise.

“Are you insulting me … Jesus?”  Again, the derision from Barabbas.  “Because I don’t much care for insults either.”  The man half rose.  “And I don’t tolerate them either.”

“I am not insulting you or anyone, Barabbas.  I am simply stating a fact,” Jesus replied peacefully.

Barabbas slowly settled back into his seat, his gaze still treacherous.  Peter, James and John exhaled audibly. 

Barabbas smiled, but without a shred of kindness or mirth.  “So again I’ll ask: why are you here, Jesus?  Are you spying for the cursed Romans?”  Jesus shook his head.  Barabbas continued, “I’ve heard that you said to ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.’  Is it true that you actually urged God’s enslaved people to gladly pay taxes to the thieving, Roman-backed publicans?”  His voice grew more intense as he spoke.

Jesus didn’t break his gaze.  “I told God’s people to give to God what was owed to God, and to Rome what was owed to Rome.” (Mk. 12:17)

It happened so suddenly that Jesus’ disciples couldn’t have reacted even if they chose.  Barabbas had exploded from his seat, grabbed Jesus’ cloak in one fist, and held a dagger at Jesus’ throat with the other.  “So you admit it, traitor!  Are you here to check out the rumors of Barabbas?  I know they’re out there.”

While Peter, James and John instinctively cowered backward in fear, to their immense astonishment Jesus hadn’t even flinched.  He calmly replied, “No, Barabbas.  I am not here on behalf of the Romans.  I am actually here to speak with you about the kingdom you hope to establish.”

Barabbas glared at Jesus menacingly for a moment, then slowly withdrew his dagger and returned it to its sheath.  He settled back onto his stool.  He spread his hands wide and said, “So talk, teacher.”

The Savior pulled a stool from a nearby table and settled onto it.  He reached for the pitcher of wine on the table and poured some of it into a cup that hadn’t been there a second ago.  The eyes of the other men around the table grew wide.  The Lord took a lingering drink, then set the cup down.  He focused on Barabbas, then spoke.  His voice was calm, but his words carried power.

“Barabbas, we both have a same name, and we share the same goal – to establish a kingdom for God’s people.  But that is where our similarities end.  The kingdoms we hope to establish are radically different.” 

Jesus paused; the other three at the table were listening intently.  He continued, speaking slowly and deliberately.  “You are seeking a kingdom on earth; I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  You seek a kingdom of freedom and peace for bodies; I am seeking a kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  You desire an end to the oppression of the State; I will bring an end to the penalty of sin with God.  You long for deliverance from a physical bondage to men; I will bring deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  You are willing to fight for a kingdom of temporary glory; I will fight for a kingdom of eternal glory.”

Jesus folded his hands comfortably on the tabletop and spoke again. “You think that your kingdom will bring joy, but it will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.” (Lk. 4:43)

“What is this fanciful kingdom you speak of?” asked the future insurrectionist with derision.

“It is the kingdom of God.  It is why I have come into this world – to testify to the truth and to establish a spiritual kingdom encompassing heaven and earth.” (Jn. 18:36-37)

“It seems to me that you testify to nonsense,” was the reply.

“To many it seems as nonsense,” Jesus said to Barabbas.  Then turning his gaze to Dismas, he added, “But a few recognize it as sense.”  Dismas shifted uncomfortably.  Keeping his focus on him, the Lord continued, “The kingdom of heaven is like discovering a treasure of incalculable value.  Once found, it is worth pursuing, sacrificing, gaining and embracing.” (Mt. 13:44-46) Dismas dropped his gaze to his cup.

Barabbas snorted.  “I think you are mad.  Or delusional.  I’ll tell you what: you show me evidence of this kingdom of yours and maybe I’ll consider it.”

Jesus responded with a small smile, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ … but the kingdom of God is real and it is in your midst.” (Lk. 17:20-21)

The tall man shook his head.  “You’re wasting my time.  I believe our conversation is over.”

“Barabbas, you are not the first to seek an earthly kingdom.  And you will not be the last.  As long as this current world stands, people will desperately seek their own ‘kingdom’ on earth.  Everyone’s kingdom is different, but all seek one.  Only those who find my kingdom will find deliverance.”  Jesus paused again, then leaned closer to the three and said softly, “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and so many other things will be given to you as well.” (Mt. 6:33)

“Be gone, teacher.  I have no interest in your impractical teachings,” the leader replied, waving his hand dismissively. 

Jesus took another sip of wine.  He looked around the table sadly.  “Truly I tell you, what you have planned will not go well.”  Barabbas’ eyes narrowed.  Jesus continued, undeterred.  “But you won’t listen to me.  And your path is necessary.”

The Savior stood.  “Thank you for the wine.  It was refreshing.”  Once more he focused on Dismas, and said lovingly, “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.”  Jesus turned and led his disciples out of “The Wandering Sheep.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An unexpected and unnatural darkness hung over the execution hill at midday.  It had everyone spooked – Jews and Gentiles, the common people and the religious leaders, civilians and soldiers.  The natural order of things was disrupted; some actually wondered if the end of the world was imminent.  A few were convinced it was.

For the three condemned men hanging horribly and excruciatingly on the crosses, it didn’t much matter.  The end of their worlds was imminent.  (Or at least it was for two of the three.)  People nailed to Roman crosses didn’t get off them alive.

Dismas, Gestas and Jesus were together again.  Two of them didn’t want to be there; they no longer had purpose or hope.  But the one in the center – Jesus – still held both. 

Initially in their pain, frustration and hopelessness, the two rebels both lashed out at Jesus.  “You claimed to have a better kingdom coming!  Well look where it got you!” And, “You warned Barabbas that things wouldn’t go well for him … and here you hang on the very cross intended for him … while he runs free again!” (Mt. 27:44)

Jesus said nothing in reply.

Gradually however, Dismas grew quiet.  The conversation in “The Wandering Sheep” replayed in his mind.  First, some of Jesus’ initial words to Barabbas: “We preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

Also, as the Roman soldier drove the nails through Jesus’ body – even in the midst of his own searing pain, Dismas had heard Jesus shout out in a hoarse and agonized voice, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk. 23:34) 

Who says such a thing?  Who shows love and concern (and prays for!) someone as they torture him?  Gestas had demonstrated a much more likely reaction – he had cursed the soldiers with a bitter hatred!  They had laughed at him and spit in his face.

And this eerie, hellish darkness.  It wasn’t a coincidence.  It was creation itself protesting at some great injustice.  It was the Lord putting the world on notice that something wasn’t right.  Or perhaps that this was precisely right?

As he pushed himself back up the spine of the cross to purchase another precious breath, Dismas’ mind wandered back to Jesus’ words.  “I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  A kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  An end to the penalty of sin with God; deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  A kingdom of eternal glory.  It will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.”

Jesus had seemed so certain; so confident as he spoke those words.  Even now, his torn body was dying, but there was no despair in him.  Was he indeed the King of the Jews?  Was he the Promised One, the Messiah?  Was this exactly what he needed to do to accomplish all that he said his kingdom would encompass? 

Maybe it was?  If so, then everything made sense!

Passers-by were ridiculing Jesus mercilessly.  “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!  He’s the king of Israel!  Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Mt. 27:39-43)

Rather than fueling Dismas’ disdain of Jesus, their taunts only seemed to remind and reaffirm his conclusions about Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t helpless.  He was in complete control; he was operating exactly according to his plan.  This was the path he had to take to establish God’s kingdom!

Meanwhile, Gestas’ abuse continued unabated.  “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Dismas couldn’t bear it anymore.  The words arose unexpectedly from within him.  He gasped them out in halting fashion as his strength and breath allowed: “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Lk. 23:39-41)

Tears ran down Dismas’ cheeks.  How foolish he had been!  How sinful!  And how empty that kingdom he had chased now seemed. 

Jesus final words from their earlier conversation played once more in his thoughts, as they had so many times since they were spoken so lovingly … and, it seemed, directly to him!   “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.” 

A sob broke from Dismas’ heart.  Here he was, very definitely at the end of his kingdom.  Again, his next words came unbidden.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk. 23:42)

Jesus actually turned his head and smiled at Dismas.  In the midst of his agony, Jesus smiled!  Looking deep into his eyes, Jesus said with hoarse voice through parched lips, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk. 23:43)

Dismas’ tears flowed freely now, but joyfully.  And he smiled too.  He had finally found his kingdom. 

Just a few hours later, he experienced that kingdom in all its magnificence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few words of explanation:

In my research, I was stunned to learn that in some ancient manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel, Barabbas is referred to as “Jesus Barabbas.”  They are “variants,” of course.  But the inclusion of Jesus to Barabbas’ name would seem to argue that it was known by early scribes that Jesus, (a common name at the time and derived from Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”), was indeed a part of Barabbas’ name.  Certainly, some modern scholars argue that “the counter-intuitive similarity of the two men’s names is evidence of its historicity.”  It would be just like the Lord to intentionally and dramatically contrast Jesus Barabbas and Jesus, the Son of God.  However, since the canonical Bible does not definitively state Barabbas was also a Jesus, I will definitely not insist that he was.  But he might indeed have been.  And the contrast of the kingdoms the two Jesuses sought was too compelling to not borrow the possibility.

As for the other two insurrectionists, early Christian tradition (as well as the apocryphal book of Nicodemus), give them the names of Gestas and Dismas.  Of course, we can’t know, since the Scriptures don’t tell us.  However, it was helpful for the telling of this story to have names for the two men, so I decided to use the names tradition attributes to them.

As for the specific reasons why “Gestas” and “Dismas” were crucified, both Matthew and Mark refer to them as “rebels”(Mt. 27:38, 44 & Mk. 15:27).  Presumably, rebels against Rome.  Which makes perfect sense; men who were crucified by Rome were considered “enemies of the state.”  Of course, we know that Barabbas was an insurrectionist and murderer (Lk. 23:19, 25) – crimes definitely meriting crucifixion in the Roman world.  I have always speculated that the two criminals crucified with Jesus were actually tied to Barabbas, and that Jesus’ cross was indeed intended for Barabbas.  A passage in Mark is intriguing in this regard.  It states, “A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.” (Mark 15:7).  (“Gestas” & “Dismas?”)  But please note that this premise that the two were part of Barabbas’ plot is merely speculation on my part.  We can’t know.  However, it is at least logical, and perhaps even likely.  And it made for what I felt was a fascinating story.

Both Matthew and Mark record the fact that the two rebels crucified with Jesus also mocked him.  In both accounts this is listed after the insulting words of the spiritual leaders of the day.  This doesn’t mean that those events were necessarily sequential; just that Jesus’ mockers were many … initially including even the two criminals crucified with Jesus.  Based on Luke’s words, however, it’s clear that while the ridicule by the spiritual leaders and the one criminal continued, the other criminal had a change of heart.

We obviously have no record of Jesus meeting with the insurrectionists.  Although it should be noted that it was not unusual for Jesus to specially seek out individuals he knew he needed to converse with.  In fact, we see it throughout the Gospels.  (Zacchaeus in Luke 19, the Samaritan woman in John 4, and a crippled man in John 5, to name just a few.)  In fact, it could be argued that every individual Jesus ministered to was sought out by him.  With the multiple examples provided, we can safely assume that this happened many other times as well that were not recorded.  Therefore, my premise in this story is not too extreme.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  Please note that I am not arguing that Jesus did meet with these men in advance of their crucifixions.  Only that he could have.

Another assumption I am making is that even if Jesus did not speak with Dismas, the rebel did have some prior knowledge of Jesus, his teachings, and the “rumors” about Jesus.  By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, he was one of the most famous individuals in the land.  Even Jesus’ enemies below the cross taunted him with the truths that Jesus had expressed about himself.  Perhaps Dismas had even heard Jesus preach somewhere along the line?  Therefore, I am assuming there was at least a seed or two that the Holy Spirit had sown in the criminal prior to this fateful day that fueled his repentance.  Or maybe not?  Perhaps it all happened in those dark, dreadful and momentous hours as death approached?  It’s a question we can ask Dismas (or whatever his name was) when we reach Paradise ourselves one day.

Finally, I encourage every reader to … “seek first [Jesus’] kingdom and his righteousness. (Matthew 6:33).  It will always be the best kingdom … for always.

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Guilty?

Guilty?

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I’ve never been so innocent and felt so guilty.

It was a quick run to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds-and-ends.  I pushed a mini-grocery cart to toss the items in as I grabbed them.  Lying on the bottom of the main compartment of that cart was a store flier advertising this week’s deals – left behind by a previous shopper.  A common occurrence.  Nothing to even think about.

I gathered the things I needed, went through the self-checker, bagged the items, and began rolling the cart out of the store.  That’s when a nice young man who worked for the store stopped me, pointed in the cart and asked, “Is that yours?”

I thought he was referring to the stray flier, so I replied, “No.”  But apparently he was referring to the small block of cheese that had somehow slide under the flier … and had clearly not been paid for. 

I was mortified.  Everything seemed to indicate that I was guilty of trying to sneak out with some extra cheese … without paying any “cheese” for it!

Hopefully my shocked expression convinced the young man I was innocent of thievery.  That, and the fact that the cheese cost less than 3 dollars.  (I had much more valuable items than that in my grocery sack.)  But I suppose they see all kinds of people trying to sneak out with items of all different price values. 

I don’t know what his conclusions about me were, but he was certainly nice enough.  Even though it was truly an innocent mistake, at the moment I felt anything but innocent.

Perhaps something similar has happened to you?  Or maybe someone at some time has drawn false conclusions about you, assuming the worst, when in fact your words, actions or intentions were honorable and good?

It doesn’t feel good to be in those situations.  The stomach churns and the mind reels.  And maybe even the conscience is tweaked … despite your innocence?

Afterwards, my thoughts went to Jesus.  He was the literal embodiment of innocence appearing guilty.  The holy Savior hung on a Roman cross … a death reserved for only the worst of criminals … on open display for all to see and to draw their own conclusions. 

My little situation was nothing.  Though I appeared guilty, I was innocent.  And I suffered no consequences.  

But the sinless Son of God bore the guilt of the sin of the world!  Though also innocent, he endured incomprehensible consequences for something he wasn’t responsible for in the least.

The Lord describes Jesus’ substitutionary atonement in these simple but striking words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Paul summarizes this wonderful truth in this way: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

What Jesus endured for you and me was nothing short of astonishing.  It’s almost unbelievable that the perfect God himself would do such a thing for sinners like us.  And indeed, many do reject the concept because, “It’s simply too good to be true.” 

They are right in that it is “simply too good.”  They are wrong that it isn’t “true!”  Praise God that Jesus took our place!  And praise God that we believe this almost unbelievable truth!

When I was “busted,” I felt terrible, even though my “crime” was completely unintentional.  What did our Savior feel as he, in his holiness, endured the penalty for a world of sinners?  Guilt?  Shame?  Embarrassment?  Anger?

No!  He felt joy! 

This is also astonishing, but it is also true.  The Scriptures tell us so!  The writer to the Hebrews reveals, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame …” (Hebrews 12:2).

Why was Jesus joyful?  Because he was accomplishing his Father’s will.  Because he was doing what only he could do.  Because he was redeeming sinners whom he loved.  Because countless people would now experience an eternity of salvation with him.

He who was innocent was counted as guilty so we who are guilty would be counted by God as innocent.  What a wonderful Savior we have!  What a wonderful salvation we have waiting for us!

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Better Days Are Coming

Better Days Are Coming

I grew up in Michigan.  After over 30 years away, I’m now living in Michigan again … and it’s clear that some things remain unchanged. 

Well do I remember seeing the first robins in the spring as a boy, and how happy they made me!  Winter was passing; summer was on the way!

On the heels of a fairly rough winter, I spotted my first robin on our lawn this past week.  And once again the familiar joy filled me.

I wasn’t the only one to notice.  Some at church brought it up as well.  “I saw a robin!” one said.  “I did too!” replied another.  They clearly felt the same happiness.  Better days are coming!

The presence of robins has often been the focus of poems. Emily Dickinson wrote:

The robin is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.

 The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.

William Allingham wrote about robins’ presence in late fall after other birds have fled to warmer climes.  With slight modification, the first verse of his poem, Robin Redbreast, also applies to their presence in late winter or early spring before other birds have returned:

Good-bye, good-bye to [Winter!]
For [Winter’s] nearly done;
The garden smiling faintly,
Cool breezes in the sun;
Our Thrushes now are silent,
Our Swallows flown away, —
But Robin’s here, in coat of brown,
With ruddy breast-knot gay.
Robin, Robin Redbreast,
O Robin dear!
Robin singing sweetly
In the [beginning] of the year.

Many believe that robins migrate south just like other birds – only leaving later and returning earlier.  According to birders, that is partially accurate.  Some robins do indeed fly to warmer areas and some don’t. However, all robins become more mobile in the winter months.

Those who remain north gather in flocks of hundreds or even thousands of birds.  Those flocks become nomadic, constantly moving in search of food.  Normally their diet focuses on worms and insects.  But in the cold months they transition from consuming protein-rich invertebrates to eating vitamin-rich winter fruits and berries provided by junipers, hollies, crabapples, and hawthorns.

Which birds fly south and which stay – and why – is undetermined by experts.  Gender may play a role, with males more likely to remain than females in northern areas. The possible reason?  It offers an obvious territorial advantage to the typically territorial birds, allowing those males early access to the best breeding grounds after the snow melts.  But even the male robins that fly south tend to return several weeks sooner than the females to claim their “space.”

Regardless of whether the robins we notice in our yards have returned from the south or wintered locally, when we see them we know summer is on the way.  And that brings us joy!

Currently, we are in the church season of Lent, when we remember all the torment and anguish Jesus endured to make holy atonement for our transgression and to secure our salvation. The season tends to be sobering – a time of repentance and reflection.  It’s a good and necessary time, but it’s also a bit bitter – rather like winter.

But better days are coming!  Easter is on the way!

Jesus’ resurrection always predominates every church season … every Sunday … every single day … for Christians.  But the morning we celebrate Jesus walking out of his tomb is like no other morning.  Easter is rather like spring.  It’s a time of new life, profound joy, and certain hope.  Consequently, it’s a morning of celebration.

Friends, the robins returning don’t only reassure us that spring is on the way.  They also remind us that Easter is too!  And that is cause for great joy.

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior …” (Micah 7:7).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Peter 3
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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Our Faithful God

Our Faithful God

Have you ever been out and about on a chilly morning in the forest, on a mountain, at a campground, on a dock or boat, or even in your backyard … and been greeted by warm, bright sunshine?  Isn’t that wonderfully uplifting?

Have you ever found yourself shivering as you endure the bitter cold of the night or early morning when that first light of the sun arrives?  Or even better, when the sun’s rays first literally fall on you?  Isn’t that an incredibly comforting thing?  Not just physically, but psychologically!

Is it any wonder then that worship of the sun as a god was extremely common in ancient times? The practice spanned across numerous cultures, nations and races.  In fact, of all the things in creation, the sun was the most commonly and widely worshipped.  Even the ancients understood that this entire world is dependent upon the sun, both for light and for warmth – for life itself! – so it seemed natural to them to worship it. 

We know even more about the sun today.  For example, the sun’s gravity keeps the earth and other planets in their places in the solar system. Without the sun, the earth would be floating aimlessly and endlessly through space.

The sun provides the light and heat every living organism needs to exist.  Plants use the sun’s light to produce food for humans and animals through the process called photosynthesis. Furthermore, the sun’s heat is the reason the earth can support life by allowing liquid water to exist.  It is also this heat that brings about evaporation of water and the movement of air called wind which produces our different weather systems.

Bottom line: all of the world is dependent upon the sun for life

Not only does the sun provide light, warmth and sustenance for life, but the sun is incredibly reliable.  Every morning, there it is again; you can count on it.

The early peoples could not comprehend anything greater or more faithful than the sun.  Consequently, the sun became their god.

Sadly, they had lost sight of the God who made the sun and set it upon its work.  They became a fulfillment of Paul’s words, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised.  Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Yet in this regard those early peoples were right: the sun and its faithfulness are a wonderful illustration of the faithfulness of its Creator … of our God!

Just as the sun appears every morning … so God is always with us. 

As the sun provides light every day … so God is always enlightening our hearts and minds. 

As the sun provides warmth every day … so God is always warming us with his love.

As the sun makes it possible for us to live here on earth … so God is the giver of our lives.

As the sun sustains us daily … so God (who gives us the sun!) is always sustaining our lives, both physically and spiritually. 

Here’s what the Holy Spirit inspired David to write about the sun:

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” (Psalm 19:4b-6).

How wonderful!  Every day the sun “rises” again, doing its God-established thing. 

Our God is a like the sun … faithful and life-giving!  There are over 80 references in the Scriptures using the words “faithful” or “faithfulness” to refer to the Lord. 

Isaiah states that the Lord’s faithfulness is a “perfect faithfulness” (Is. 25:1).  David tells us that the Lord is “a compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ps. 86:15).  He also tells us repeatedly that God’s “love reaches to the heavens” and his “faithfulness reaches to the skies” (Ps. 57:10).

Another psalmist writes that God’s “faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps. 119:90).  Yet another psalmist makes it clear that God’s faithfulness lasts even longer than that!  He writes … “the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever” (Ps. 117:2).

How wonderful!  But just as we tend to take the sun totally for granted, so we tend to take our God totally for granted too. 

Now think about this.  When was the last time we thanked the Lord for the rising of the sun – for its light and warmth?  We just expect the sunshine to be there every day, don’t we?

But then, when was the last time we thanked God for waking up this morning?  Or for having clothes and shoes to wear?  Or for having food to eat (and I don’t mean simply reciting an oft-repeated before-dinner prayer)?  When was the last time we thanked God for good health?  Or for having shelter to live in?  Or for having transportation?  Or for having people who love us?

Even more sobering: when was the last time we thanked God for our faith?  For the fact that his Holy Spirit lives in us?  For the fact that we have a heavenly home waiting for us?  Or that God himself took our place, suffered our torment and died our death so we could go to heaven one day?

These all come from God, after all.  They are all a result of the faithfulness of our God.

And yet we so easily and so commonly take it all for granted.  We simply expect to see God’s blessings … just like the rising of the sun every morning.

Thankfully, despite our lack of faithfulness to God … God is always and forever a faithful God to us.

Just as the sun shines faithfully every day, so God who made the sun is always faithful.  In fact, God is more faithful than the sun.

Let me take you back to a time when the sun actually did stop shining. 

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.  … Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’  When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:44-46).

Jesus, the Son of God, was dying in agony because that was the only way we could ever have true forgiveness and experience salvation one day.  And while Jesus was hanging on the cross, the sun – the beacon of faithfulness, the source of worship around the world – actually stopped shining.

The sun showed itself to be less than trustworthy.  And at the same time, the true Son (S O N) was shining his brightest!

As Jesus was making complete atonement for our transgressions, he was showing God to be absolutely faithful, reliable and trustworthy.  He was showing God’s perfect, abounding, high-reaching and long-lasting faithfulness.  He was giving us life … both spiritual and eternal!

Those 3 hours while the sun did not shine, the Son (S O N) shone brightest.  At that time Jesus’ faithfulness was shining brighter than the sun ever did or ever will.

Thanks be to God that he is always faithful!  Far more faithful even than the sun.

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To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

Overly Abundant Grace – A Story

In my many years as a pastor (and as a sinner), I have come to believe that guilt and shame over sin is one of Satan’s most powerful and effective weapons against God’s people.  Satan uses it to foster despair – despair that perhaps the Lord will stop loving and stop forgiving the sinner. 

In my conversations with the heartbroken, I have seen this scenario play out primarily in two ways: either someone is wracked with guilt over “horrible” mistakes made in the past, or they are tormented by repeatedly making the same mistakes in the present.  Sometimes both!

This story deals with the second scenario, though everything in it certainly applies to the first as well.  It’s a bit lengthy, but the topic is absolutely crucial.  May God use it to bring comfort, peace and joy to the grieving.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tristan was in a very bad place – mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  He was overwhelmed with guilt; shame engulfed him, sweeping through him in waves. 

He recognized that he was a sinner who sinned all the time in many different ways.  Unfortunately, this is the human condition – a result of the sinful nature residing in every person.  But that wasn’t what he agonized over, (though he certainly grieved over it).  No, it was trespassing … crossing God’s line between right and wrong … repeatedly in the same way that tore Tristan up.

“Again, and again, and again I make the same mistake; I sin the same sin!” his thoughts cried out.  “I know better.  I know it’s wrong.  I know God condemns it.  I know I shouldn’t do it.  But I do it anyway!  Again, and again, and again!”  He groaned out loud and shuddered in remorse. 

He sat at his dining room table, his head in his hands.  Heartfelt tears wet his hands, rolled down his wrists and dripped onto the tabletop.  It wasn’t the first time that sorrow over his sin spilled out of him; he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.  Especially since he kept falling into the same trap over and over again! 

Who was he kidding?  Often enough he wasn’t “falling into” the sin; it was an eager headfirst dive!

Tristan’s conscience tried him, judged him, found him guilty, and condemned him.  And Tristan didn’t even dare argue the verdict.

“How can God possibly forgive me … again?  How can I even go to him after so many falls?” he wondered.  The tears intensified as he shook his head in despair.  “Does he even want to hear from me anymore?  Am I even his child anymore?  Does he even care about me anymore?  When does he finally get fed up with me and toss me away?  I would have discarded me a long time ago!”

Sobbing wracked his body.  So much pain, and all self-induced!

He whispered out loud, his voice teaming with emotion, “O Lord, if you can somehow find a way … please, please, please forgive me one more time!  I know I have no right to ask, but it’s all I know to do.  I know Jesus died for me, but I’m afraid I’ve thrown it all away.  I’ve gone too far; I’ve sinned too many times!” 

Tristan dropped his head onto his folded arms resting on the surface of the table, his tears flowing freely.  “But Jesus is my only hope.  I have nothing else to cling to, and I’m terrified I’ve squandered him away with my foolishness.” 

A hollowness filled him; despair overriding every other thought and emotion.  His deep sorrow made him physically ill.  His mind locked onto his guilt, his heart ached, his chest constricted and his stomach churned.

“Hello, Tristan.”  Tristan lifted his head quickly; no one should be there with him!  His eyes fell on Jesus, standing before him and smiling warmly. 

How could this be?  Was it a dream?  A vision?  His mind couldn’t grasp what his eyes were seeing.  “It doesn’t matter how it is that you see me,” Jesus stated.  “It’s just important that you do.”

New tears streamed forth from Tristan’s eyes.  “O Lord, I’m not worthy to be in your presence!  I’m so sorry!  So sorry!  So very sorry!” he sobbed.  He felt that he should throw himself at Jesus’ feet, but he seemed unable to move.

Jesus nodded.  “Yes, I know.  You have sinned again and are torn apart with remorse.”  He paused, then continued gently.  “You do have a problem with this issue.  But it is not your greatest shortcoming.”

Tristan gasped.  Oh no!  He had a bigger issue?  In trembling voice, he faltered out the question, “What I keep doing is terrible, Lord!  But there is something worse?”  He was horror stricken, and his despair ramped up in intensity.

“All sin is horrible in my eyes, Tristan,” Jesus replied.  “And all sin brings at least some earthly ramifications.”  He smiled sadly.  “As you well know.”  Tristan nodded, almost imperceptibly.  “But some sins foster greater repercussions than others.  Potentially leading to eternal repercussions.  Such is the case with you.”

Tristan was terrified.  Was Jesus saying he had lost salvation?

“No, Tristan.  That is NOT what I am saying.  Only that if you continue to despair you could lose your hope and your salvation because you give up on me.  This is the risk if you continue in your more dangerous sin.”

After stating this, Jesus was silent.  He simply stared quietly at Tristan, waiting for the inevitable.  Finally, Tristan looked down, swallowed once, then twice.  He choked out the request in a weak voice. “What could possibly be worse?”  He didn’t dare look at Jesus.

“Your more dangerous sin is not believing my words,” came Jesus’ quiet but firm reply.  “And the ramifications of that are causing you major issues.”  The Savior let those statements sink in.

Tristan was dumbfounded.  His thoughts raced and his emotions swirled.  Finally, he gathered himself and said, “But I do believe your words!”

“Once again you prove that you do not,” Jesus stated.  “I, the Lord, just made a simple statement of fact … and you dismissed it.”  His voice didn’t carry anger, but rather a deep sadness.

Tristan gasped.  What had he just done?  And how was it that he had sinned in this way before?  He knew the Scriptures were inspired by God, and therefore living, active and absolutely true.  “I’m sorry, Lord!  I’m sorry!  But I don’t understand!”

“Yes, I know.  That is why I am here.  To help you understand, and to change your perspective.”

“Teach me what I need to learn, Lord!  Show me what I need to see!” Tristan begged.

Jesus smiled warmly again.  “I thought you’d never ask.”  He looked intensely at Tristan and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you will see!” Luke 10:23. 

Then Jesus waved his hand smoothly before him, and a large Bible appeared before Tristan.  It was open to Psalm 103, and three verses (8-10) lifted up off the page – large, glowing and easily discerned.   “Let’s review the basics.  What do these verses say?” 

Tristan read them.  “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”  New tears began flowing.

“Do you doubt these words?” the Savior asked.

“No!”

“I’ll ask you again.  Do you doubt these words?”

Tristan was about to insist that he didn’t … when he realized with shock that he had and he did. 

“Are we beginning to see the problem?” Jesus queried.  The grief-stricken sinner slowly nodded, his eyes wide.

“Good!” Jesus stated.  “Here’s another one.”  The pages in the Bible rolled right to left and settled on another passage – Ephesians 1:7-8.  The words again lifted off the page.  “In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

Jesus spread his arms, his hands upright and open, and focused on Tristan.  “Are those words too difficult to understand?”

“No!”  Tristan paused.  “I mean, yes!”  He shook his head in exasperation.  “I mean no and yes!  Lord, my sins are so huge!  And so horrible!  And so often and easily repeated!  Doesn’t there come a time when a believer forfeits it all?”

Jesus placed his hands over his chest.  “And now we get to the heart of it all.  Listen carefully to what I say.”

“My apostle John wrote these words: ‘This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts.’” (1 John 3:19-20).  

The words stirred Tristan’s soul.  But Jesus wasn’t done.  “My apostle Paul summarized the same truth in this way: ‘Where sin increased, God’s grace increased all the more.’” (Romans 5:20).

“I’ve heard those words before, Lord, but …”  Tristan’s voice halted.

“But you weren’t sure they could be true.  At least for you.”  Tristan nodded sadly.  “Let me illustrate this for you,” Jesus replied. 

He waved his hand again, and the two of them seemed to be suspended over the tiny topmost shoot of a tree.  Jesus pointed at it.  “Your sin.”  The view slowly expanded and panned slowly downward until an entire massive tree became visible, hundreds and hundreds of feet tall.  Now Jesus motioned toward the tree.  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.”

Tristan was stunned.  Jesus smiled, and then presented the next illustration. 

Now the two of them hovered over a vast body of water.  Jesus called Tristan’s attention to a small bubble floating on the surface.  “Your sin.”  The view expanded again to show the unending waves of a massive ocean, after which Jesus miraculously revealed the staggering depths of water below the tiny bubble.  Jesus simply said, “My grace.”

The view changed again.  This time Tristan’s gaze fell upon a miniscule pebble.  “Your sin,” said the Savior.  A short time later they had withdrawn to the point that they were looking upon the entire planet.  “My grace.”

Next, Tristan found himself looking down on himself.  “You and your sin.”  Rapidly, he shrank from view, as did the continent he was on, and soon the entire world.  In a matter of moments, the Lord showed him the entire solar system, then additional galaxies, and finally the entire cosmos.  “This is my grace.”

The Lord waved his hand once more, and an opening appeared in the stars.  Brilliant glory poured out from the cavity.  Tristan realized with awe that he was being given a glimpse into heaven. 

But it wasn’t only beams of brilliance that spilled from the opening.  There was also a cascade of thick, red liquid gushing out and cascading down toward the earth.  Tristan gasped.  It was Jesus’ blood! 

Once again the viewpoint altered; the focus again settled on Tristan … his head down on his table in profound grief.  The familiar words were repeated.  “You and your sin,” said Jesus.  And then the bright red blood of Jesus washed over him!  “My grace, mercy and forgiveness.  I assure you, it is more than sufficient for your guilt.”

“O Lord, it’s so wonderful!” Tristan exclaimed joyfully.  Then the exuberance began to slip away.  “But what about my repeated sin?”

“Which sin is that?” Jesus asked sincerely, and then stated, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25.

Tristan’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes grew wide.  It was all so astonishing!  So amazing!  So incredible!  So wonderful!

“A few final comments,” Jesus continued.  “First, realize that I am not making light of your sin.  Sin is always detestable to me.  Rather, I am discrediting your shame.”  Jesus wrapped his arms around Tristan.  “You love me and belong to me through faith.  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:1. Where there is no condemnation in God’s eyes, there is no need for shame.”

“Secondly, in love and thankfulness – go and sin no more.” John 8:11. Jesus tightened his embrace.  “But if you do … and you are sinful, after all … come to me in confidence that my grace is overly abundant for you.”

“And finally, your name is Tristan, which means ‘Sorrowful.’  Your spiritual name from this time forward will be Jevin.  Jevin means ‘God is gracious.’  It also means ‘Joyful.’  Since you now recognize that your God is indeed gracious, you can truly be joyful.”

Tristan was overcome with emotion.  New sobs broke forth from his heart.  But they weren’t sobs of sorrow; rather, an expression of extreme joy.  “Thank you, Lord, for loving me … and forgiving me!  Thank you, Lord, for showing this to me!”

Jesus kissed him on the forehead, and then he was gone.  But the truths he had shared remained.  Which meant that Jevin now held an entirely different perspective on God’s overly abundant grace.  It was a truth he treasured, and a truth that actually aided him in living his life more fervently for the Lord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Biblical Concepts of a Sinner/Sin
Versus
God’s Abundant Love and Forgiveness

 Ephesians 3:16-19 – A tiny branch on a massive tree

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Micah 7:18-19 – A tiny bubble in a massive ocean

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

 Psalm 103:12 – A tiny pebble on the entire globe

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11 – A tiny person in the vast cosmos

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Colossians 1:19-23 – A sinful believer made holy through Jesus’ blood

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of  your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

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Psalm  103:1-14
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

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Singing AT the Throne

Singing AT the Throne

“What are we gonna do in heaven?” people wonder.  Then perhaps they add, “Just standing around God’s throne and singing forever sounds kinda boring!”

Maybe you’ve heard similar comments?  Maybe you’ve even secretly thought them?

I was privileged to attend the winter conference for the area pastors and teachers in our church body earlier this week.  Chatting with spiritual brothers and sisters is always enjoyable, and there are always some beneficial presentations.  But the very best thing about conferences, at least as far as I am concerned, is the singing.

 Of course, our conferences always begin with a worship service, and the days are interspersed with multiple chapels.  And we sing in each one of them!  Gives me goosebumps and lifts my soul every time.

Lutheran pastors and teachers … SING!

Put 125 of us in a church sanctuary, and we’ll lift the rafters!  Often in 4-part harmony.  Double that number, and people can hear us in the parking lot and across the street.  Maybe even downtown and upstate.

The pastors and teachers don’t sing so loudly simply for show.  They just do it naturally and confidently.  It’s a trait that is born from years of singing in choirs, church services and chapels throughout their school years …  elementary school, high school, college and the seminary.

Unless you’ve been able to sit in on a service filled with hundreds of Lutheran pastors and teachers (or future pastors and teachers), it’s probably difficult to comprehend.  But maybe you’ve been at a Christian concert when 20,000 people join in on a familiar song?  Pretty incredible, isn’t it?

All of which makes me wonder: what will the songs in heaven sound like?

If singing together on this flawed earth can move us so profoundly, try to imagine the singing in salvation.  All the believers of all time joined with all the angels in existence – both numbers being countless except to God! – joining their holy voices together in praise of the Lord.

Every voice flawless.  Every pitch perfect.  Every note at full volume.  Everyone singing in unison.

Can you even begin to imagine what it might be like?  How many harmonies will be incorporated?  How overwhelming we will find it? 

And can you doubt how satisfying, joyful, uplifting and glorious the songs will be?

The Apostle John gives us an insight:

“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him [all] who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.  And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except [those] who had been redeemed from the earth.” (Revelation 14:1-3)

The heavenly singing will be a “new song” … one only the “redeemed from the earth” can learn and sing.  A song of incredible beauty, absolute awe, intense thankfulness, and unending praise to the one who purchased their salvation.  A song of love for the Lamb.

I like to think of it this way:

Here on earth in our worship of our God, we sing because of the throne.  Because of the One who sits on the throne … our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.  Because of all that he accomplished for us.  Because of the love and forgiveness from God we have now.  But perhaps especially because of the heavenly salvation we WILL experience one day as a direct result of his shed blood. 

But when we finally get there, our worship changes.  We will sing around the throne and at the throne.  Or rather, at our Savior sitting on the throne.  And we will sing because of the salvation we ARE experiencing and WILL continue experiencing throughout eternity.

In that unending moment, David’s words become our never-ending reality: “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever” (Psalm 30:11-12).

We can’t possibly comprehend heaven and any of its wonders now.  I expect our everlasting reward will encompass much more than song. 

But if it does entail “just standing around the throne and singing,” I assure you it won’t be boring.  Rather, we’ll be more than content to join the chorus.  Compelled by thankfulness actually, overwhelmed with joy, and therefore tireless in our praise!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Addendums below:  Psalm 89 verses & Garrison Keillor’s “Singing with the Lutherans”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Psalm 89 (selected verses)
1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. ,,, 13 Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. 18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

52 Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.

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SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS by Garrison Keillor

I have made fun of Lutherans for years – who wouldn’t if you lived in Minnesota? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn.

We make fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Lutheranless place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Lutherans they’ll smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!

Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It’s a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person¹s rib cage. It’s natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We’re too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you’re singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it’s an emotionally fulfilling moment.

I once sang the bass line of “Children of the Heavenly Father” in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: People, these Lutherans, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you’re in deep distress. If you’re dying, they’ll comfort you. If you’re lonely, they’ll talk to you. And if you’re hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad!

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Enough

Enough

When it comes to earthly wealth, I have never been rich.  Not even close.  And it seems highly unlikely that I ever will be rich.

I’m OK with that.  The reason?  Because the Lord has made sure that I always have enough.

Furthermore, I’m quite confident that even though you may not have everything you want … and even though life may have been exceedingly difficult at times for you … still, you have always had enough too.

David wrote about this very thing:

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:23-25).

Yet the world teaches us to always want MORE.  Our sinful natures eagerly take up the theme – MORE is better.  MUCH MORE is best of all!

David’s son, Solomon, alludes to humans’ unending longing with these words, “The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing” (Ecclesiastes 1:8).  He also states this is a “meaningless” exercise.  (Ecc. 1:2).

I find the Lord’s manner of providing food for the migrating tribes of Israel fascinating.  (And telling!)  You’ll recall that the Lord had miraculously delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, and as they were enroute to the Promised Land, they had to travel through a huge barren area. 

What you may not realize is that the nation almost certainly numbered between two and three million people!  (Exodus 12:37 tells us 600,000 men left Egypt.  Add in women and children, and the numbers grow exponentially.)

Garnering enough food for all those mouths would be a monumental challenge for humans.  But it wasn’t difficult for God.  He simply provided them with wafers called “manna” 6-days-a-week.  The Bible tells us, “it was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31).

But where this gets really interesting is when you consider the special instructions the Lord gave to the people in regard to gathering the bread.  Each morning they were to gather what they needed for the day, but no more.  If they tried to keep extra for the next day, the manna would be foul and maggot-filled. 

The exception to the “only-as-much-as-you-need-for-the-day” rule was the morning before the Sabbath Day (Friday).  On Fridays, the people were to gather sufficient manna for two days.  Astonishingly, the manna kept just fine for the extra day over the Sabbath.

Moses provides another incredible insight:

“The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed” (Exodus 16:17-18).

None of this was coincidence!

The Lord was teaching the Israelites an incredibly important truth; he was teaching the people to trust him.  He would supply their needs.  Day-by-day he would bless them with food.  They would have enough.  With the Lord, they would always have enough!

And not just enough food, but enough of everything.  Enough guidance in their journeys.  Enough protection from all their dangers.  Enough provision for all of their needs.  Not necessarily a surplus, but enough.  Always enough. 

The Lord wasn’t only trying to teach the Israelites this truth.  But you and me as well!

He wants us convinced that our God will always provide for us – spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  As Paul reminds us, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

We don’t need MORE.  We just need what God gives us.  It will be enough.

And when we recognize this truth – when we embrace it – we will come to realize that when God is our supplier, we have more than enough!  In fact, we are actually rich beyond measure. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Hebrews 13:5
… Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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The First Valentine

The First Valentine

As I begin writing this post, it’s Valentines Day.  Consequently, I was curious to explore the origin of the holiday. 

It actually goes back a lot further in history than most realize.  The roots of Valentines Day reach way back into the 3rd century when the then Roman priest (and now Catholic Saint) Valentine was martyred and buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14.

The exact reasons for Valentine’s death, and even the manner of his death, are lost in the mists of time.  However, tradition states that he was imprisoned for ministering to and providing care for persecuted Christians. (The Dictionary of Christianity, J.C. Cooper).

Bede’s Martyrology contains this fascinating addition to the story: It states that Saint Valentine was personally interrogated by the Roman Emperor Claudius II.  The emperor was impressed by Valentine and attempted to convert him to the pagan gods of Rome in order to save his life.  The priest wanted nothing to do with them, and instead tried to convert the emperor to Christianity.  This resulted in his death sentence.

Supposedly, before his execution, Valentine healed the jailer’s daughter, Julia.  This resulted in Julia’s father, Asterius, Julia herself, and their entire household converting to Christianity and being baptized. 

An interesting addition to the story – almost certainly an embellishment, (though apparently shared nonetheless by both “The History Channel” and “American Greetings!”) – suggests that Valentine, on the evening before his execution, wrote the first Valentine note to Julia and signed it as “Your Valentine.” (Wikipedia.com).

Despite the very early origins of the day, it wasn’t until the late 1700’s that the concept of paper valentines blossomed in England.  They became so popular in the UK that by the early 1800’s the cards were assembled in factories.  With the invention of the postage stamp in 1840, the numbers of valentines mailed in England exploded to 400,000 in just one year!

Here in the United States, the valentine card business was begun by Esther Howland in 1847 in Massachusetts.  She imported the decorations she needed from England and proceeded to produce valentines in the States.  Just a few years later, Valentines Day was essentially a national holiday. 

“The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities are included the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.” (Wikipedia.com).

Of course, that doesn’t even count the electronic messages shared via modern technology (texts, e-cards, emails, etc.). 

All of which is interesting and hopefully informative.  However, I maintain that the first “Valentine” was actually given by our God.

Now exactly when that happened is open to debate.  Not only do we not know the exact date, but which was the first and most meaningful is certainly subjective.  Here are just a few love notes from God to consider:

It could be argued that the first was God’s promise to Adam and Eve to send a Savior who would make things right again after they brought sin into the world.

(Genesis 3:15) “And I will put enmity (bitter hatred) between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring (those who follow you) and hers (those who follow me); he (one of her descendants) will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Then there is this astounding statement of our God’s unending love for us:

(Jeremiah 31:3) “The Lord … [says], ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”

Or maybe it’s this remarkable passage that God’s love for us moves him to sing joyfully over us?

(Zephaniah 3:17) “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Perhaps you feel God’s best “Valentine” passages don’t just share loving words, but show loving action?  Like the love of our Heavenly Father in this famous passage:

(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Or these passages that express the love our Savior showed us with his intentional sacrificial death:

(John 15:13) [Jesus said,] “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

(Romans 5:8) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Or the love note that describes the saving work the Holy Spirit did inside our souls:

(Ephesians 2:4-5) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Then there is one of my personal favorites.  (It’s actually framed and hanging in my church office.)

(Romans 8:37-39) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

But one could argue that the greatest love message from our God is one that will be spoken to us personally at a future date when he calls us home to heaven, and repeated again to us on the Last Day:

(Matthew 25:34)  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”

Of course, God’s love for us fosters our love for God … AND our love for our fellow human-beings:

(1 John 4:19) “We love because he first loved us.”

(John 13:34-35)  [Jesus said,] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So, I maintain that the first “Valentine” message actually came from God.  But which is the greatest?  Is it one of the above passages, or do you have another suggestion?  If so, please share it in the comments section of this blog.

How blessed we are to be loved by God himself!  It is the deepest and purest love possible, and it literally lasts forever!

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The Unappealing Path (A Story)

The Unappealing Path (A Story)

The archangel streaked through heaven’s glory, drawn to the brightest Light in that brilliantly lit place.  Or more accurately, to the Beacon whose radiance radiated throughout the entirety of heaven. 

The angel drew to sudden but smooth stop before Jesus – effortlessly executing the transition from an upright posture to a prostrate one in one seamless motion, coming to rest before the Lord with his extensive wings draped over his head in deference to the Mightiest One before him.

“Greetings, Michael,” Jesus said.  “Well done on the battlefront.”

“Our foes are relentlessly fighting.  And they continue to gain spiritual ground among the humans, as you know,” the angel replied. 

“Yes, they are.  It is the way things were predicted, so it is the way things will go.”

“I want to banish them to the darkness immediately!” Michael retorted.

“I know, Michael.  All in due time,” the Lord replied.  He sighed, then he continued.  “As earthly time marches on, more and more people will reject me altogether.  It is prophesied and it is inevitable.  That’s tragic enough, and I grieve for every one of their souls.”

Jesus paused.  “But what really saddens me are all of the people who DO know me … yet miss out on so many of the blessings I intend for them in their earthly lives.”  It was impossible to miss the sorrow in Jesus’ voice.

“Stand, mighty warrior.  I will show you the human dilemma you already understand, but in a manner you haven’t seen before.”

With a single, swift and strong flap of his wings, Michael lifted himself up.  Jesus nodded at him, then swept his arm before them.  Instantly a window opened in the multi-hued glory, revealing a view of an incredible sight. 

Before them stretched an expansive corridor, as wide as a seven-lane freeway.  It was paved with large, impact-absorbing – yet firm, strong and resilient – panels of material.  It was perfectly smooth; even the seams were tight and even. 

Wide billboards lined the way and impressive signs hung over the road.  Simple but brightly lit messages scrolled across their faces: “You are doing great!”  “Relax and enjoy the journey!”  “No doubt – the best route!”  “The wisest don’t despise it!”  “The best way to a new day!”  “The easy leads to the pleasey!”

Food stands were readily available; cold refreshments easily accessible.

The highway descended at a gentle grade with no elevation gain visible at any point.  Comfortable benches were situated throughout for resting where needed.  There were even escalators for the ease of those who preferred not to walk the easy downhill!

Demons, invisible to the people on the path but clear to Michael, were flurrying every which way to provide the support needed to keep the walkway functioning and to promote the comfort of the travelers.

Throngs of people covered the road … across the width and throughout the length.

Impressive gateways stood at the end, beyond which was a swirling, cloudy darkness.  Many paused at that point, but the words emblazoned above the arches seemed to put the travelers at ease.  To their eyes the words said, “ALL WILL BE WELL!”  In reality, they read “WELCOME TO HELL!”

As the people passed through the gates and into the darkness, they toppled helplessly into the pit … while watching demons cackled in evil glee.

“Let us put an end to the demons!” Michael scowled in righteous anger.

“We will.  Again, in due time,” Jesus replied.  “You, of course, recognize what you are seeing.

“Yes, Most Exalted One,” said Michael.  “This is the wide and easy road to the abyss that you spoke of on the mount.  I well recognize it.”

“Indeed,” Jesus replied.  “And what are your observations regarding it?”

“It has always been heavily trafficked.  But lately, even more so.”

“Correct.  Absolutely tragic that so many insist on traveling it,” said Jesus, as a tear slide from his eye.  “The demons coerce, but the people acquiesce.  Travelers on this route think this is the easy way, but it is the opposite.  They are actually miserable already now, but the worst is yet to come.”

The Lord diverted Michael’s attention to the mountains rising immediately beside the highway.  A small, rocky and uneven path wove its way slowly up the flanks and eventually into the heights above.  It appeared to be a challenging route with few amenities available.

Leading to the main but small path were multiple tinier paths which had diverted from the expansive freeway.  The exit signs on the wide way which called attention to these scrabbles were simple and nondescript; barely noticeable among the flashing promotions all around them.

Each exit sign to the narrow path said two simple words: “The Way.”  Further up the mountain where the tiny trails converged into the larger (but still small) path was a sign stating the same: “The Way.”  In comparison to the wide, smooth freeway, only a few people could be seen scrambling up this rough route.

Michael spoke.  “Fewer on this path these days.”

“Thankfully though, some still walk the path of Truth and Life, and pass through the narrow gate into glory,” Jesus replied. 

Then he continued.  “This is the long view … the overview of the two paths to different destinations.  Now let me show you the closer view of the narrow path to heaven.  In some ways, what I’m about to reveal is almost more tragic than the throngs on the highway to hell.  (Though that is the ultimate tragedy!)  Thankfully though, this next tragedy is generally temporary.”

Jesus waved his arm again, and the view changed.  Now they were looking at the narrow, rocky, rising path to heaven.  Angels walked along with the travelers, their wings stretched above and around them in a protective canopy.  “My faithful fighters for you, Most Exalted One,” Michael stated proudly.  Jesus nodded in agreement. 

Demons were also situated along that way, feinting attacks on the people and promoting various side paths.  Naturally, they heavily, alluringly and effectively tried to seduce God’s people down sin paths. 

In addition, the devils sponsored attractive advertisements posted over side paths offering everything the human heart could desire.  Popularity.  Wealth.  Success.  Power.  Fun.  And yes … Ease.  None of which is essentially evil, but all of which can be distracting.

They even tried to pull “The Way” travelers down paths of ongoing poor choices – ones the people knew were unhealthy and unwise.  And down paths of past hurts and heartaches.  Down paths of oppression even!  The devils promoted these routes as “A Familiar Path” or “The Usual and Comfortable.”  And a surprising number of God’s people chose to take them!

In short, the demons promoted any alternate and adjusted route along “The Way” that might attract and appeal, and pull God’s people off the main path.

All these meandering routes still led to heaven, but they increased the difficulty of the trip.  Each side path brought greater struggles – physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually.  Even the paths labeled “Easier” were harder! 

All of these side path led to multiple additional path options … each extra option heavily pushed by the demons … and each leading only to more problems.  If a traveler on “The Way” took too many side paths or followed them too eagerly or too long, they could eventually find themselves back on the wide and easy path to hell.

But after every side excursion … and even after multiple diversions … the small, least appealing path labeled “The Way” was always accessible. 

Jesus shook his head sadly.  “The tragedy of this view is that all of the people on this path to some degree … and some people to a large degree … get sidetracked from the simplest, most beneficial path onto other detours that rob them of the fullness they can have in me.  And they know better!”

The Savior continued.  “My Way seems less appealing, but it brings so much more!  Even during their lives on earth!  Love!   Forgiveness!  Salvation!  Peace!  Joy!  Self-worth!  Fulfillment!  Purpose!  I bring all these things to people to the degree that they remain on ‘The Way.’  And yet so many choose the detours that bring only more burdens and heartaches.  Any side-trip that turns a person’s focus off me, my saving sacrifice, my love, and my truths essentially robs them of truth, joy and fulfillment.”

The angel responded emphatically, “If only your people recognized this!  The demons!  The distractions!  The disillusions of other paths!”

“Yes, Michael.  If only they did.  My path seems empty, but it is full!  It seems barren, but is alive!  It seems mundane, but is exciting!  It seems more difficult, but is easier!  It seems a dead end, but it leads to life!  It seems unappealing, but is actually most appealing!” 

“But you know all this,” the Lord stated.  He paused, then asked.  “What are your observations from this view?”

“As stated earlier, there are fewer on this path than in the past.  And the travelers seem to be more easily diverted.”

“It has always been a challenging journey.  But now, more than ever,” Jesus replied.

In holy fury, Michael snapped his wings with a load crack.   “Then let us finally do away with these tormenting demons who continue to defy you and deter your people!”

Jesus closed the “window” and looked directly at him.   “I know how you feel, dear archangel.  And this is why I summoned you.  I wanted to share all this to make it clear that we draw closer to the End … to the time when your unending battles will finally end.”

Michael snapped his wings again.  “It cannot come soon enough for me, Most Exalted One!”

The Lord smiled and said, “There are still some who will be brought off the wide and easy road to destruction and onto the narrow path of life.  When the last one steps onto ‘The Way,’ the End will come.”

It was the angel’s turn to smile.  He responded, “I am glad to hear it!  In the meantime, may your people remain on your path, Lord Jesus, and rejoice in all the blessings you bring them there!  It is a narrow path, but the best one!  It is the path to life – both temporally and eternally.”

“That it most definitely is,” the Savior replied.

Then the archangel extended his wings and sped back to the battlefront.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Revelation 22:20-21
[Jesus,] who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

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