Happy New Year!!!

That phrase can pack a lot of meaning after finishing up 2020.

Hope these first few days of 2021 have been good. I know for me, the last few months have been tumultuous.

But my God is still Lord and in control of the universe. I got this because He got this.

I want to share a story with you. Thanks for reading today!

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The pounding of the hammer. Obscenities from the condemned. It is all so familiar to me. Everyone screams. Having crucified hundreds before, I understand the pain that I inflict. This man was no different. Well, no different in that he felt that pain. No, he seemed to embrace the pain. In fact, it almost is as if he wants to know the pain.

I remember when he would speak or preach, there was that same intensity. He always would strive to connect with people. Often times, after the crowd would dissipate, there would be a few stragglers wanting to talk to him. Making direct eye contact, he spoke. And the people listened. They walked away changed. Sometimes he even performed miracles. Intriguing.

What was it about Jesus that had changed them? As I stand here overseeing his crucifixion, I see an ordinary man being tortured to near death. Maybe something in his eyes. It was the eyes, I am sure of it.

Right now, all I see is a bloody mass for a face. His own mother would not even recognize him. Now my curiosity is piqued.

“Soldier, hand me a rag.”
“Yes sir!”

Alright, Jesus, let’s see what is so special about those eyes.

“AHH!!! The light! I can’t see! Help!”

“Peace, do not be afraid.”

“Who are you? What is going on?! Wait, my eyes, I CAN”T SEE!”

“Peace. I am here. Are you ready to see into my eyes?”

“Hold on. Are you Jesus? Wait. Why can’t I see? Where am I? Am I even awake? Just a second ago I was watching you get nailed to a cross. I wiped the blood from your face so I could see into your eyes and then I went blind.”

“What you speak of is correct. But your true request, to find out who I really am, has been granted.”

“All I wanted was to see what was in those eyes. I have seen people transformed. Some physically and others, well, in a different way. Now I stand here blind talking with you. Are we not at Golgotha anymore?”

“We are but I have chosen you. You have a special purpose yet you know not of yet.”

“So I am still doing my duty in commanding your crucifixion? Are there others here? Please explain. And please let me see again!”

“Patience my son. I have given you a second chance. In just a moment, we will return to our respective places outside of Jerusalem. I, on the cross, and you, watching it all.”

“Okay. But how is all of this possible? How can we be there and then here, in the blink of an eye? I mean, it’s not like you are god or something.”

“And now we have come to the crux of the matter. The source of your unbelief. You don’t believe that I am God. Yer we are speaking face to face and you are blind. What do you make of all this?”

To Be Continued…