Kathy’s cries intensified once again as she reached out and pulled Beth to her.
Beth gently rubbed Kathy’s back.
Kathy could feel the warmth and peace seep into her heart. She could sense the forgiveness and love that was so freely coming from Beth. It was wondrous.
Within a minute Kathy was able to compose herself.
“I love you, Beth,” said Kathy between lessening cries. “And I am so sorry for what I did. It was wrong. I was afraid and selfish. I betrayed you.”
“Mom, it doesn’t matter anymore. You don’t have to feel guilty. Let it go. It is all cleansed by the blood of Christ. You’ve received his sacrifice on the cross where he took your sorrow and bore your sin. He has forgiven you completely. There’s nothing left to feel guilty about. It is gone.”
Kathy squeezed her eyes tightly again and strained as she blinked out a few more tears. She knew she was forgiven. But she had to confess what she had done. She needed to say the words.
“I love you, Mom,” Beth’s repeated reassurance melted into Kathy’s heart.
“I love you, Mom.”
Kathy stuttered a cry as she inhaled and held Beth closely. They were part of each other again. It was beautiful and right.
Jacob and Mark stood nearby, watching patiently. Mark’s eyes were wet with tears.
“It is all okay, Mom. I love you and I’m so glad you are my mother.”
Kathy’s face strained again as she tried not to cry. “I’ve hurt silently for so long because of this. I feel so ashamed.”
Beth whispered into Kathy’s ear. “I know, Mom. But when Jesus forgives you, he remembers your sins no more, so why should you?”
“I know. You’re right. I need to let it go. I need to let go of all the hurt.”
“The only one hurting here is you. It’s okay to let it go.”
Kathy knew Beth was right. And as she looked into her daughter’s eyes, she decided to finally stop holding on to the past. If God in the flesh had taken away her sin and guilt, she had no right to hold on to it. It wasn’t right for her to punish herself. She smiled and nodded.
“You’re right. You’re right.” Kathy closed her eyes. “I’m letting it go. I give it to my Lord and receive the full forgiveness he’s already given me. By faith I let it go.”
A wave of peace and contentment washed over her. Her muscles relaxed and she let out one final, large sigh. Her pain was gone. She smiled as she opened her eyes to see her daughter, smiling back at her, exuding joy in her expression.
Beth looked at Mark, who was obviously waiting patiently. Kathy hugged her one more time and then relaxed her embrace. Mark came close. He was, of course, also smiling.
“Mark,” said Beth. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
He looked at Kathy. “It’s been my privilege.”
Beth approached him and held out her hands. He took them in his. He looked into her eyes and could seemingly perceive the beauty and gentleness in her. In this place love came so easily and naturally, and as he gazed upon her, he realized he loved her. His heart melted and he gripped her hands more firmly.
She smiled back. “I love you, too.”
Mark knew that she was aware of his love. He didn’t know how and he didn’t care. It was just how things were in this place.
“May I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he responded.
“Would you mind if I called you Dad?”
The question was unexpected and puzzling. He was not her father. Her father was someplace else. But where? Was he a believer? Was he alive or dead? If he were dead, was he in heaven or hell? Mark looked into Beth’s eyes. She knew something. She wouldn’t have asked him if there wasn’t a reason. Maybe her real father was a lost soul. Maybe he was…
Mark remembered a tinge of anger. It was weak and hollow, more like a shadow. He realized that in this place negative feelings are greatly weakened. They have no life. Still, it forced Mark to examine himself. He had always resented the fact that Kathy had become pregnant by another man. He had secretly harbored anger over it, directed at her ex-lover. But, he had also resented Kathy for it, too. He knew he didn’t have the right, but he had felt it nonetheless.
He looked at Kathy. She was waiting expectantly, oblivious to his inner reflection. Then he looked back at Beth. Here was a beautiful young woman who had been robbed of life, yet she was alive.
Her eyes were deeply kind, and that is when Mark thought of the sacrifice of Christ and how he had been forgiven of so much. He had no right to harbor any resentment towards Beth’s unknown father or for Kathy. All her sins had been forgiven.
He had no right at all. As quickly as he realized what he needed to do, he did it. Somehow he knew he needed to talk to God. The words seemed to fill his heart as he prayed silently. Please forgive me of my sin. I had no right to be angry. It was not mine to hold. Please forgive me for hating that man and also for the resentment I’ve had towards Kathy. Please cleanse me yet again.
Peace came upon him like a gentle breeze.
Was this why Beth asked to call him Dad? Was it to cause him to face this old sin? Then he realized that to accept Beth, to let her call him her father, meant that the resentment he had had for so long had to be forsaken and in its place he needed to love. It made perfect sense, and as quickly as he realized it, he wanted it. He let the love flow into him as he thought of Beth’s real father and realized that, like himself, he was a weak man, a sinful man. He could have been that man. The resentment evaporated.
He looked to Kathy again. She smiled at him. All he could do was feel love for her.
It was a wonderful revelation of grace. Mark was awestruck at the privilege of forgiveness both received and given.
Beth was still smiling, and without saying anything he gently pulled her towards him. She stepped forward and moved into his arms. He let her close in. He rested his cheek on the top of her head. He smelled her hair, felt her frame, and received her. He loved her as though she was his own precious daughter.
And that is when he understood that for him to say yes meant he had to love her as his own. The realization was perfect. It was right. It was good.
“I would love it if you called me Dad.”
She looked into his eyes and Mark felt as though he would melt when she said, “I love you, Dad.”
He experienced what he could not understand. It was as though complete, perfect goodness was an actual thing that moved though his body and soul. It was amazingly wonderful and he knew it was from God. But, how did he know that? How did he know that when he completely forgave and forsook his resentment towards others, that it was God’s grace and peace that had overshadowed him? He just knew it. He knew God was here. He looked up to the blue sky and silently prayed, Thank you, Lord, for your awesome greatness.
Then Mark felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Sotare. “It’s time to go.”
His heart sank. He looked to Jacob and then Kathy. She held out her arms and all of them slowly moved together and embraced. Then after a bit, Jacob motioned and stepped back to break the circle.
Reluctantly both Mark and Kathy let go, knowing they didn’t have much longer. Jacob and Beth stood side by side and took a step backward.
Jacob said, “Both Beth and my concern for you is that until we meet again—and we will meet again—that your heart be not troubled. Always keep your eyes on Jesus, no matter what happens. Remember that, Mom and Dad. Through all that will come to you and against you, remember to trust him alone, no matter what.”
Beth was smiling beautifully and Kathy knew deep down that everything was right between them. There was no sorrow anymore. No remorse. It was gone.
“Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye, Mom,” said Jacob.
“Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye, Dad,” said Beth.
In unison, Mark and Kathy said, “Goodbye.”
“It is time to go.” Sotare spoke gently and placed one hand on Kathy’s shoulder and the other on Mark’s.
“Thank
you for forgiving me, Beth.”
“How could I not? Jesus is so wonderful and forgiving. His love is pure and deep. Mom, I can’t help but forgive and love you with all my heart. I am so glad you are my mother.”
“We will see you again,” said Jacob.
Mark grabbed Kathy’s hand. “I love you, son.” He looked to Beth and smiled. “I love you, my daughter.”
Beth smiled beautifully yet again.
“It is time,” said Sotare. “I’m going to put my hand over your eyes.”
Mark and Kathy listened but did not look. Instead, they watched Jacob and Beth, memorizing every feature of their faces.
Sotare covered their eyes and then after a moment, he lowered his hands. They were both back in the gazebo.
Kathy sat down and automatically let the tears roll down her cheeks. She savored the memory of the love and fulfillment that still flowed within her from having been with her children. She let nothing else intrude while she cherished the memory.
Mark was wiping away tears. He sat down, too.
After a couple of minutes, Mark finally looked at Sotare who was still there with them. “Thank you. Thank you so much. You’ve given us something wonderful. Thank you. Thank you.”
Sotare smiled compassionately and nodded. “I envy you for your ability to love so beautifully. It really is a reflection of God in you.”
“But,” said Kathy, “that is only because he has shown us how to love by dying for us.”
Sotare nodded slowly. “It has been my honor to serve you both.” He looked out to the garden and then back at them. “It is time for me to go.”
Mark was smiling. “Will we see you again?”
Sotare didn’t answer.
“When we die and go to be with the Lord, will you be there?”
Sotare put his hands on Mark shoulders and said with a gentle laugh, “Absolutely.”
Mark pulled him close and gave him a strong hug. Then Sotare stood back and held out his hand.
Mark held out his.
“Remember the coin I said was buried under our feet?”
After a moment, “Yes.”
“Here it is. A 1907 ten dollar gold piece. Goodbye, Mark. Goodbye, Kathy.” Sotare raised his head towards the heavens, lifted his arms wide, and changed. His wings became visible and his white robe glimmered brightly. They could see rays of light radiating from him, alive, undulating, casting shadows out into the garden. The brightness forced them to squint and step back. Then with the graceful movements of his wings, Sotare slowly ascended past the trees and flew away.
They both watched him, and when he was gone, Mark looked at Kathy. She closed her eyes and savored the memory of Jacob and Beth once more. Mark hugged her. “Are you okay?”
She put her arms around him. “Yes.” She closed her eyes as she rested her head on his chest.
A butterfly flew into the gazebo and headed towards him. He remembered how Sotare had put out his hand. Was it the same butterfly? A butterfly! He had crushed a butterfly in his hand the morning he almost committed suicide. Mark stared at it, and without thinking, extended his opened palm. It fluttered towards him, and just as it did with Sotare, it landed on his hand. The delicate creature slowly opened and closed its wings.
As he watched the fragile creature, Mark remembered that this garden was the place where he had almost died, the place where the miraculous became commonplace, and where he, and now Kathy, had spoken to an angel. It had become the place of visions, of truth, and discovery.
Mark smiled.
The butterfly flapped its wings quickly then took to flight. He realized that even something as insignificant as butterflies were important to God. He watched it as it flew out from the gazebo and up into the sky. Something large flew by. His eyes widened. What was it?
He stood up and moved out from the gazebo.
Kathy followed him. “What?” she asked.
Another quick movement from above. Mark glanced over to it, but it was gone. There! Another one. He smiled, hardly believing what he was seeing.
“What is it?” she asked again. “What do you see?”
Mark was looking into the sky, past the trees, past the house. Above him were angels. He could see them moving, flying, going about their calling. It was beautiful, absolutely wonderful.
“What are you looking at?”
“Can you see them?” he asked.
“See what?”
Mark turned his head in another direction. More angels. He could see them clearly, flying, moving. Automatically, he looked up to the tree to see if he was being watched. There was nothing. He looked back up into the sky and smiled. The angels were shimmering, leaving small streaks of light as they went about their tasks.
He laughed, excitedly.
“What?” asked Kathy. “Are you okay? What is it?”
Mark looked at her. His smile was almost too big for his face.
“Mark?”
He looked back to the sky. “It’s glorious.”
“What is? Mark, are you okay?”
“Angels. I see angels.”
Kathy looked into the sky. “Where?”
“Up there.”
Kathy only saw sky. She looked back at him.
“It’s beautiful,” he said.
Kathy held onto his arm as she followed his eyes darting back and forth as he looked heavenward.
Mark smiled and watched, then he noticed that the streaks of light were getting a little faint. He saw another movement and watched it. It was a bit fainter, and then slowly, they all disappeared.
He looked down at Kathy. “That was great,” he said. “For a while I was seeing them as they were moving through the sky. It was incredible.”
Kathy looked at him, pondering his words.
“What do you think it means?” she asked.
He returned her gaze. “I’m not sure, but I think we’re going to find out.”
LAST THINGS
What Jesus did on the cross is the most important event in all of history. It is the place where you can receive forgiveness of sins and avoid eternal damnation. After all, eternity is a long time to be wrong.
If you are interested in becoming a Christian, then please keep reading.
First, the Law
The Bible says that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23). This means that we have all offended God. We have all broken His Law by lying, cheating, and stealing, etc. Because of this, we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), are dead in our sins (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:3), cannot please God (Rom. 3:10-11), and will suffer damnation (2 Thess. 1:9). Think about it. Broken laws have punishments. To break God’s Law is to incur the punishment of the Law. God says this punishment is eternal damnation.
The only way to escape this punishment, this judgment, is by receiving Christ, by trusting in what Jesus did on the cross (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:24). Jesus took the punishment of the Law upon himself and if you trust him, then the punishment will not fall upon you.
The Bible says we are not capable of removing the guilt of our sinfulness through our own efforts. Gal. 2:21 says, “...if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” The Law is the Do’s and Don’ts of moral behavior. In other words, we can’t become righteous by what we do because we are dead in our sins (Eph. 2:3) and all of what we do is touched by sin and is not good enough for the infinite and holy God (Isa. 64:6).
This means that since we cannot remove our own sins and escape God’s judgment, God must do it for us. He must remove our sins.
Jesus, who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; Col. 2:9), bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). He died in our place. He paid the penalty of breaking the Law of God which should have fallen upon us. He satisfied the Law of God the Father by dying on the cross and taking the punishment there.
There is no other way. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me,” (John 14:6).
Do you want to be saved f
rom the righteous judgment of God? If so, if you want to become a Christian and follow God, then you must realize that you have sinned against him, and are under his judgment. You must look to Jesus who died on the cross and trust what he did in order to be forgiven of your sins and be saved from the judgment of the Law. This can only be accomplished by faith in what Jesus has done. You cannot add your sincerity, good works, rituals, or ceremonies to what Jesus has done because all of what you do is touched by sin and cannot be accepted by God. This is why you need Jesus.
Second, count the cost
Jesus said, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). Jesus tells us to count the cost. The cost of becoming a Christian can be quite high sometimes. In some parts of the world it can cost you your life. Here in America, by God’s grace, it is not nearly as dangerous.
Nevertheless, if you become a Christian, God will take it very seriously. He will work in your heart and in your life to change you and make you more like Jesus. Sometimes this is an easy journey and other times it is difficult. But, this is what it means to become a Christian. It means that God will work in your life after you have been saved and change you. If you don’t want this to happen, then don’t become a Christian.
Third, don’t become a Christian if…
Don’t become a Christian if you just want to give Jesus a try, or because you want to see if your life gets better, or if you want to experiment with religion, or if you just want to see what happens. These are the wrong reasons. You come to Christ and become a Christian because you want to receive, by faith, what Jesus did on the cross as a sacrifice for sins and to remove the judgment upon you due to your sins.
Fourth, receive Christ
If you desire to receive Christ and trust in what he has done on the cross, then please consider the following prayer as an example. It is not a formula. It is a representation of what it means to trust in Christ.
The Influence (Supernatural Thriller) Page 38