He did everything right. He cured
diseases, ended hunger, and loved the unlovable. Not only did He feel
compassion for those in need, He actually met their needs and taught others to
do the same. But He never received cash or Nobel Peace Prize. They simply told
him to stop.
He couldn't stop. His mind was
focused and his heart was determined. He knew His current course would end in
personal disaster, but it would give hope to countless. He understood that he
might have to give his life, but others would live.
He wasn't alone. His mission was
assigned from the highest command and with utmost urgency. As a soldier leading
the rescue of a lost platoon behind enemy lines, He set His mind on the goal.
No one left behind.
They told him to stop, He didn't
listen. They fired everything they had at him: reason, bribery, then insults,
slapping, punching, lashing, piercing, and finally execution.
As He stood before his interrogator
and said, "My kingdom is not of the earth."
And He kept on. He had to reach the
lost behind enemy lines and knew it was more important than this life.
Without regard for his own life, He continued
the mission until every order was met. In this case the orders were centuries
old doctrine and prophecy outlining the tactics; avenues of approach to the
ultimate goal of rescuing the lost behind enemy lines. Once He met the
objective, He ended the mission on His terms. With a mighty shout He exclaimed:
"IT IS FINISHED".
Though He did everything right the
church excommunicated him, his friends abandoned him, and the government
executed him.
Here's the shocking part; He overcame
death.
Three days later His mission
continued. His physical body died, but He returned as the King of another
kingdom eager to rescue the lost behind enemy lines.
He forgave those who betrayed and
killed him and gave them the mission.
For the next 40 days He issued
instructions to his followers. First to 2, then 4, then 8, then 12, then 70,
then 500. He gave them the mission: Rescue the lost behind enemy lines.
After an additional ten days, He sent
reinforcements. The Holy Spirit empowered them for the mission. Though Jesus
had ascended to his throne, He left a plan and a helper. Then thousands
believed and they continued the mission.
Though He did everything right the
church excommunicated him, his friends abandoned him, and the government
executed him. But He overcame that, He triumphed over death and He lives
forevermore rescuing the lost behind enemy lines.
Jeffrey W. Bennett is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. You can see more of his writings @ www.redbikepublishing.com
