by Jill Austin
Death screeches in horrendous defeat and throws Forsaken down. Leaving her barely alive, he flees with his evil regiment of dark angels.
Rejoicing, her lifelong guardian, Valiant, catches her before she can hit the ground and gently lays her down. Angels of glory fill the skies, exulting in praise and worship over Forsaken’s rescue. A blanket of holy peace fills the atmosphere as a cloud of glory grows with each exalted verse.
Blazing with fiery determination, Valiant’s great expanse of translucent wings cover her. He lovingly stands guard over the broken little heap. Valiant shakes his head in marvelous wonder at the wisdom of Master Potter. He lifts his blazing sword and joins the heavenly choruses of high praise.
The atmosphere changes as golden rays of resurrection light pierce the darkness. Death and his entourage are vanquished. Having tasted of this unstoppable power before, they regroup for another day, another battle.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE CRUCIFIED SAVIOR
Silhouetted against the rising sun, a man appears in this graveyard of broken lives. The desperate cries of Forsaken’s lost soul stir His unending compassionate love. “How My heart rejoices to hear her call My name. I deeply feel the pain of your suffering, My precious one. I’m coming.”
Still lying with her face to the ground and weeping, Forsaken hears footsteps. Startled, she looks up to see the bloody feet of a man standing in front of her. Her eyes travel from His nail-pierced feet up His bruised legs. Streams of blood and water flow to the ground from a deep gash in His side. His wounded chest has been ripped open by the lashes of a cruel, relentless scourging, leaving bloodied and torn flesh.
Pain and grief are etched into His features. Black and blue swollen mounds exist where soft brown eyes should have been. Patches of His dark curly beard have been violently ripped from his flesh, leaving exposed muscle. His cheeks are caked with dried blood.
Forsaken is gripped with compassion that wells up within her heart. Hot tears run down her bruised and bloodied face. His features are so disfigured, she thinks to herself, If He were my own brother I would not recognize Him.
Streams of blood drip from His brow where a cruel crown of thorns punctures His flesh. Overwhelmed, Forsaken cries, “Who are You? I’ve never seen a man so battered and beaten! Who would have done such a thing?”
THIS IS MASTER POTTER
Holy Spirit gently says, “You did, Forsaken! This is the Son of God, who took the punishment for your sins. He was whipped, beaten and put to death so that you could be rescued and reconciled to the Father. You’ve encountered the crucified Savior who died for you. This is Master Potter, who rescues clay vessels from this field of death.”
“How can this be Master Potter? My dad said He loved to destroy clay vessels.”
Master Potter begins to turn away, and she sees a rugged wooden crossbeam, which is bound to His outstretched arms.
Desperately she cries, “Wait! Come back! Please don’t leave me!”
He turns, faces her once again and gazes deeply into her tear-filled eyes. Unconditional love pierces deep into the numbness of her soul with convicting revelation.
Forsaken hears a crack within her soul as the lie is broken and the chains of bondage are loosed. She now knows this is Master Potter and realizes that everything her Grandma Pearl had told her was true. He really does love her, and He really did choose to die rather than be without her.
Her heart is illuminated by Holy Spirit’s light, and she understands her awful sinfulness and desperate need for this humble man standing before her. Only Master Potter can save her soul and make her clean.
“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” she sobs. “I’ve made such a mess out of my life! Master Potter, save me! Help me!” Completely broken, she wraps her arms around His bloody feet.
SAFE IN THE SAVIOR’S ARMS
Master Potter gently picks up little Forsaken with His nail-pierced hands, and placing her head against His wounded chest He holds her close and weeps over her pain. Cradled in the Savior’s protective arms, Forsaken responds to His overwhelming sacrifice and compassion for her with deep tears of repentance that wash her sin-drenched soul.
Embracing Him tightly, she weeps, “Oh, Master Potter, I love You! Please save me! I’ve wasted so many years and have done so many horrible things. Please forgive me!”
BORN AGAIN!
“Forsaken, I do forgive you. I’ve always loved you and yearned for you to come to Me. I died to save you and bring you out of the Potter’s Field. I endured these wounds so that you might be saved and made whole.”
Suddenly, her deep repentance causes the fiery seed of eternity to erupt inside her soul! The wonderment! The transforming miracle! Surging resurrection life flows into her being and connects her spirit with His in holy communion for the first time. Forsaken is born again! She’s alive—truly alive!
RESURRECTED LORD!
She watches in stunned amazement as His brutally disfigured features change before her eyes, transforming themselves into a radiant face more lovely than any she’s ever seen. He is stunning and radiant—altogether lovely. Once He was her crucified Savior, but now He is also her resurrected Lord.
For a brief and shining moment, white light illuminates off His shimmering clothing, and rays of golden glory shine from His face, hands and eyes. He stands before her, transformed into the Lord of glory. All at once, Forsaken’s ears are open, and she hears the glorious singing of angelic hosts. Bathed in white light, she looks down at herself and realizes that she, too, is shining with the light of His glory.
THE HUMBLE POTTER
Ministering angels clothe Him in the soft brown robes of a humble potter, and the glow of glory gradually dims into the rugged and handsome face of Master Potter.
Holding her close, He penetrates her knotted muscles with His healing anointing, soothing her painful spasms and calming the horrible effects of alcohol withdrawal. Sweet perfume and fragrance wash over her as she clutches Him tightly to herself.
Such wonder! Such unspeakable grace, that He would choose to save one such as her from the grasp of Death and the destitution of the Potter’s Field. Deep waves of glory continue to heal and cleanse her as He joyfully proclaims to the heavens, the earth and the realms below, “No longer are you called Forsaken. I name you Beloved, the delight of My heart!”
PART TWO
THE POTTER’S HOUSE
CHAPTER NINE
FIRST LOVE
Beloved is leaving behind the name Forsaken and the oppressive atmosphere of the Potter’s Field. Master Potter carries her down a rugged dirt road toward His home. His soft musical laughter fills her soul with warmth and peace as her spirit comes alive.
She sighs in relief as Master Potter softly whispers in her ear, “I’m taking you to My home, Beloved. It will be a time of healing and intimacy with Me.”
Humming joyfully, they walk beside a meadow of lush green grasses and rolling hills covered with wild sprays of brilliant blue, pink and purple flowers. All of creation seems amazingly alive as the brilliant colors and fragrances from the fields applaud the arrival of Master Potter and Beloved.
Just out of sight, Beloved’s guardian angel, Valiant, watches at a close distance. To see him now would amaze and stun her, for his huge, magnificent frame is spinning in circles, hopping up and down, and dancing down the dusty road with heavenly joy.
Other angels are celebrating the miracle of Master Potter’s life entering into the little clay vessel. Their laughter and joy ring infectiously throughout the heavens.
Master Potter is eager to show her His Kingdom—her newfound inheritance. So, He gestures toward golden wheat fields glistening in the early morning sun. Brightly attired workers wave to them as they walk by.
“These are My harvesters gathering My wheat.” She watches them raise sickles overhead and plunge them deeply into the plentiful stalks. Other workers bundle the sheaves and pile them high onto wooden, horse-drawn wagons.
“Life! That’s what
My world is all about! Abundant life!”
LOVESICK FOR THE BELOVED
Lovesick, Beloved can’t stop looking into Master Potter’s tender brown eyes. Blushing with the glow of first love, her little heart purrs with contentment just to be with Him. When she hears the sound of His voice, her heart races wildly. Oh, the heavenly bliss of being so loved and accepted!
She loves His strong, rugged features and memorizes every part of His wonderful face: His distinctive nose and olive complexion, His brown, curly beard glistening with red and gold, and His sensitive mouth!
THE ENEMY’S COUNTER-ATTACK
Still recovering from Satan’s unrelenting, violent scourging, Death reappears with his demonic horde, sending them out as spies. They infiltrate the countryside and join the demonic network already in place. It covers Comfort Cove and the surrounding areas, like a black widow spider’s web.
These evil alliances create a demonic stronghold over this geographic area. By touching one area of this web, Death sends out demonic communications into this unseen realm to capture Beloved at all costs. Darkness ripples throughout this evil, global network.
A foreboding demonic messenger, Backslidden, bows low before Death. “I am at your command.”
“Stand up, you pathetic slave,” Death shouts while kicking the demon. “Take a message to Madam False Destiny and Pastor Compromise. The situation is critical. It is urgent that they come immediately.” He takes another kick at the messenger and screams, “Go!”
Death paces up and down before the motley, low-ranking demonic crew Satan has given him. How am I supposed to win a losing battle using this bunch of cast-off, wretched scum?
He turns to look at their gruesome faces and tries to muster enthusiasm. “Just because Master Potter has her now doesn’t mean we can’t get her back. We must get her back! The first time He sets her down, as soon as His back is turned, you must snatch her, and we’ll send her back to our people.”
Looking at them with contempt he snarls, “I’m sending you ahead to hide in the fields and orchards. You must capture her before He takes her to His home.”
Armed with poisonous darts of accusation they scurry off to hide and wait for their intended victim.
Death tries in vain to comfort himself. I know this wretched group will never get her. Master Potter won’t set her down until He gets her safely in His house, but she’ll leave Him at the first trial. She’s never stuck with anything or anyone all her life. When He asks her to lay down her life, I’ll be there to snatch her the minute she bolts out His door.
RESTING IN THE MASTER’S LOVE
Hiding behind some rocks and bushes, the crouching demons finally see Master Potter approaching with Beloved in His arms. Carefully, one pathetic little demon takes aim and blows a poisonous dart towards her.
Beloved’s joy is shattered as the dart pierces her heart. “I wonder if Master Potter will reject me someday like all the others?”
Pulling the dart out, Master Potter flings it underhanded back at the demon, hitting it squarely between the eyes. Knocked unconscious, the demon falls off the fence and lands on the ground with a hollow thud, its talons impotently curled in a tight fist.
“Beloved, I will never leave you. You are Mine forever. Always remember, I love you.” He embraces her gently, careful to protect her broken handle and many painful wounds as they continue through the fields.
“I love You too. I just can’t believe I’m really in Your arms.” Grateful tears run down her cheeks.
Brushing her hair back from her bruised face and exposing her cracked lip, He tells her, “Do you know how beautiful you are to Me?”
“But I’m not beautiful. I’m broken and ugly.”
“No, Beloved, you’re beautiful; just wait and see. Your love and devotion are sweet fragrances that ravish My heart. I love you so very much. You are My little princess.”
As they round the corner hundreds of poison darts rain down from a clump of apple trees. As He continues telling Beloved of His undying love He casually brushes them away with His arm. They fall harmlessly to the ground. Still focusing on Beloved, He motions to Valiant, who unsheathes his sword, charges the trees and sends a swarm of demons scurrying off in retreat.
Beloved, oblivious to the spiritual counter-attack, continues to revel in His great love for her.
THE TRAP
Master Potter’s eyes sparkle as He looks lovingly at her. His contagious smile so fills her heart with joy. The sheer delight of being with Him is more than enough for the moment. She wants to pinch herself to make sure it’s real but is afraid He’ll see her and laugh.
Resting in His arms she visually drinks in the colorful orchards filling the horizon with their beauty and fragrances. The warm rays of the noonday sun shimmer through the trees in dappled elegance.
As they round the corner she hears the clomping of horse’s hooves. Thinking it’s one of Master Potter’s wagons she turns and is surprised to see Madam False Destiny and the impeccably dressed Pastor Compromise pull up beside them in an expensive, black lacquered horse-drawn buggy. Beloved can’t take her eyes off the beautifully embellished filigreed golden trim.
Madam is smartly dressed, although not as flamboyantly as usual, in a black straight skirt with a ruffled high-necked white blouse. She looks more like a schoolmarm than Madam. Her ever-present mother-of-pearl cigarette holder is also missing. The two make a very handsome, respectable and affluent-looking couple.
Madam sarcastically says, “Well, well! If it isn’t Master Potter carrying another broken vessel off the Potter’s Field.”
Pastor Compromise quickly adds, “You both look so tired. Would you like a ride? We could take you back to the village.”
“No, I’m taking her to My house. I have so much to share with her.” At the sound of Master Potter’s voice the horses let out a high-pitched neigh and violently paw the ground.
Pastor Compromise steps out of the buggy. Gently taking Madam around her ample waist, he hoists her over the side of the wagon, his neck veins bulging as he strains to set her down. Madam lands hard on the ground and casts a quick sneer at Pastor Compromise. She regains her composure, gently smoothes her skirt, and smiles condescendingly at Master Potter, “But Your house is so far away. Why don’t You let her stay with me for the night? I’ve missed you, Forsaken, and—”
“Her name’s been changed. She’s not Forsaken, she’s Beloved.” The agitated horses fight their harnesses to get away from Master Potter.
“Oh, of course, of course, she’s Beloved now, how nice for her,” Madam hisses through clenched teeth. “Well, Beloved, I’ve been searching day and night since you left. You were right; the whole fiasco with my brooch was all a mistake. You were framed, you poor thing. I’ve missed you so much. We’re actually on the way to the church social. We heard that you had been rescued from the Potter’s Field so we came by to get you. We’d planned to vindicate you in front of the whole crowd today and let the truth be known. You’d come back into the community in good standing, welcomed with open arms. We’re hoping that you will find it in your heart to forgive us and maybe even give us the pleasure of hearing you sing for all of us.”
Beloved looks at Master Potter and says, “Oh, I would love to see all my friends. I could go to Your house tomorrow.”
Pastor Compromise says, “I totally agree. It would be best, Master Potter, if she returned with us to Comfort Cove for reconciliation. She could even go to Watered Down Village to get some solid biblical training and discipleship. It’s just across Stillwater Bridge and we’re friends with all the leaders there.”
“Now that that little mix-up about my brooch is cleared up, you could stay at the Inn. I’ve never let anyone take your room. I would love to continue mentoring you, dear. I will always have my home open to you. You can stay with me anytime.”
Pastor Compromise clears his throat, “Well it looks like we’ve all got her best interest at heart and want to see her mature and grow spiritually.”
“I’ve always loved you as a daughter. I missed you so much. I’m the mother you’ve never had and you’re the daughter I never got,” Madam gushes as she holds out her arms. “Come here, darling, you’ve been through so much. My arms are aching to hold you.”
Beloved is surprised when Master Potter throws back His head and laughs heartily. “I don’t think we all have her best interest at heart. I’ve waited from the beginning of time to hold her in My arms and to enjoy her arms embracing Me.” With His eyes full of fire and determination He says, “We have a long day’s journey ahead, so we must get going.”
Pastor Compromise takes a large side-step in front of Master Potter. “You can’t be serious; You’re not walking all the way to Your house. It’s miles from here just to the lower foothills. And once You get partway up the mountain the road ends and You have to go by foot. The rough terrain is nearly impossible. You’ll need to conserve Your strength for that climb. Why don’t You let us take You to the end of the road? Then You won’t be as exhausted as You attempt to make that brutal climb. If You walk, it could be dark by the time You get there and You could get lost going up that treacherous mountain.”
“I am the way, the truth and the life. I know the path. No man comes to My house except through Me.”