* * *
As Gill ate at the banquet, he and a few others from the village that had received similar invitations, he was overcome with the joy of the occasion and found himself engulfed in pure delight with the lord and the other villagers who had come. It was fellowship unlike he had ever known before, and he loved every moment of it.
Perhaps it was worth risking his business after all, for the delight the lord offered him at his table.
What Gill did not know until much later, was the massive fire that would overtake the village that night as he feasted, and not a one would survive. Every building was burned to the ground and the villagers in them, unable to escape the blaze.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44 (King James Version of the Bible)
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” – Romans 8:30 (King James Version of the Bible)
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (King James Version of the Bible)
The Seal
The old warrior stood before his master in full battle dress. His chain mail was loose, his sword tight by his side, the leather strap fastened to keep it in place, but ready to be unfastened at a moment’s notice that he might defend his master.
The master looked down on the old warrior with a smile. “James, glad you could make it on such short notice.”
“Of course, my lord. I am always at your call.” James replied after a short bow.
The lord stepped down and clapped his hand on the shoulder of his old warrior and they began to wander to a table set apart in the room where some refreshments had been set out for the lord to entertain his guests with.
“I didn’t want to call you away from home so soon after you finished your quest, but I thought some congratulations were in order.” He offered a goblet. “I’ve been looking through some of the old logs and have seen the records of your exploits in them. I must say that I am impressed with you and embarrassed with myself for not remembering so much that you have done for me and this small corner of the kingdom.”
James nodded, taking the goblet. “It was my duty. After all that I owe you it is hardly a payback.”
The lord sipped his own drink, and pointed to a book on the table. “That’s a book of your records, ever since I found you on that slave block and brought you home.”
“And you didn’t just leave me a slave. You set me free, and set me in position, for that I am eternally grateful.” Indeed he was, he felt the gratefulness every day he woke up from a nightmare of his days in the slave camps and realized that he was a free man, no longer bound in those cruel places.
“You’ve been like a brother and a son to me, James.” The lord picked up the weighty tome and handed it to James. “This is plenty proof for me. You have been just as loyal as blood.”
James thought for a moment on the statement and considered the times he had committed minor transgressions against the lord, and how he had been forgiven graciously every time, without it being held to his account. He wondered at that. “I do bear your seal.” He said.
“What? Oh, that. Yes, that you do.”
On James’ chest was a seal that was given to him the day he came from the auction block, a seared seal, with the mark of the lord’s household. He was soon after set free from slavery and set as a warrior in the land under the lord’s headship. He had seen many battles, and his time was coming to an end.
“I think you’re about due for retirement though.” The lord poured some more drink into his goblet. “You have served me very well, and it’s time to take your rest.”
“I beg pardon, sir?”
“Just that. I’ve called you to congratulate you on your success and to inform you that you no longer have to go out to the battle every time it is raging. It’s time for you to come home and take your rest. At my expense.”
“You don’t have to do that, sir, I have a few years left in me yet…”
“No, I want to. You bear my seal, you are in my care, and I insist that you take your rest. The battles are over, and your time to rest has come.” The lord put the goblet down. “And that’s an order.” He smiled.
James took another sip of the drink and set it down as well. “Whatever you say, my lord.” He looked down at the book of his records, and sighed. “What do I do with all of this?”
The lord shrugged, “Keep it. It’s what has earned your rest.”
“I thought that was the seal.” James added.
“That too.”
James set the book on the table and nodded again. Looking at the record of his labor for the past years, and thought of how many scars he had earned through those deeds, and how he had served his master through the hard times, and through the easy times. He was forever sealed to his master, and that was good enough. He would always remember that, no matter what came he was sealed to his master.
“Go ahead, James. Take your rest.”
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30 (King James Version of the Bible)
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (King James Version of the Bible)
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Redemption (5 Short Stories) Page 2