65-ThievesOnCross-A

AND WE THOUGHT WE KNEW YOU:
SOUL JOURNEY WITH THE READ JESUS

Thieves on Cross
STRANGER IN PARADISE

10:30 AM
Thursday, about April 14, AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea

�� "Ahhhhhhh!� I can't stand this!� Do something, someone!� I can't stand this!� Ahhhhhhh!"

�� It's Nabal.� On his cross.

�� "Shut up, air head!"� It's Ahab.� He is gasping for air.� "You wanted....uhhhhhhhg...to be famous."� He's stretching his chest out for air.� "You got your wish...."� The excruciating pain is too much.� He slumps back down.� He whispers once more in his agony, "Now shut up...."

�� The three men, Nabal, Ahab, and Jesus relapse into silence once more.� Silence, however, only in word.� Screams of anguish from the periodic spasms continually break into the air of the beautiful spring morning.�

�� Then the rasping for breath.� "Uhhhhcgk!� Uhhhhcgk!� Uhhhcgk!"

�� Then the struggle to exhale, the exhaling that is almost as impossible as the inhaling.� "Huhghghgh!� Hughghgh!"

�� Eternal delimma.� Eternal torment.� Eternal hanging on between life and death.� Eternal wishing for death.

�� "Ahhhhhhh!� Ahhhhhhh!� Ahhhhhhh!"� The spasms once more.

�� "Ahhhhcgk!� Uhhhhcgk!� Uhhhcgk!"� The struggle to inhale once again.

�� "Huhghghgh!� Huhghghgh!� Huhghghgh!"� The struggle to exhale once again.

�� Both Nabal and Ahab look over at Jesus hanging between them.� They knew he was famous.� He sure didn't look famous.� Just bloody and defeated.� They remember his failed coupe just a few days earlier strutting through the city while they were still safe in their cells....

Sunday, about April 10, AD 30

�� "I don't deserve this.� I never stole anything that didn't rightfully belong to someone else."

�� "Shut up, Nabal.� You ain't no different from the rest of us.� You're a low-down thief, just like me."

�� "You and I both know this empire Caesar flaunts in front of the rest of the world is a bully and must be stopped.� I was just trying to even the odds a little.� The people of India are poorer and militarily behind us by fifty years."

�� "So you decide to get rich off them and sell an iron mine in their mountains so they could make weapons and you could get rid of the rest of us while they're at it."

�� "It's just a part of war.� And this is war.� The empire must be stopped.� The survivors of the war will be left behind to retake Palestine to its former independence."

�� "And I suppose you just happened to have some kind of summer home over in Africa to keep you protected from their new death machines."

�� "What if I did?� I deserve it.� I'm from a family of leaders.� We fought bravely in all the wars...."

�� "So, you thought you'd start a world war.� You make me sick, Nabal.� I feel like running my fist through your head right now.� I don't want to hear any more of your fake line."

�� "Besides, I was passed up for promotion three times in as many years.� They know I am much better qualified.� I know all about mining and I'm an expert in designing war machines.� None of them are.� If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have gotten their own promotions."

�� Ahab has heard this a hundred times before.� He slams his fist onto a small table in their cell.� "Shut up, Nabal!� Shut up!"

�� "And do you know what else?"

�� Ahab's blood is boiling.� "I'm warning you!"

�� "That's the kind of respect...."

�� "Ahhhhhhhgh!"

�� Ahab stares wildly into the other man's eyes, the stench of his hot breath assaulting his victim's nostrils.

�� "Ahhhhhhhgh!� Get it out!� Get it out!� Ahhhhhhhgh!"

�� "Not until you promise to shut up, air head!"

��"Okay!� Okay!� I promise!� Ahhhhhhhgh!� Get it out!� Ahhhhhhhgh!"

�� Slowly, twisting it as he does, Ahab removes the nail from Nabal's now bloody hand.

�� "Uhhhhhhh!� Uhhhhhhh!� Look what you did?� I'll get infected and die."

�� "You won't live long enough to get infected!� Now shut up...."

4:30 AM
Thursday, about April 14, AD 30

�� "Well, I always wondered what my last day alive would be like.� Now I know."

�� "Hey, idiot, it isn't daylight yet.� I'll bet it ain't any later than the second watch of the night."

�� "Nevertheless, technically our last day started at dusk last night."

�� "Don't guess it matters one way or the other.� We're both dying in a few hours."

�� "I wonder what it's like."

�� "Like being in hell.� Except you're going in a cubit at a time."

�� "I heard some guys have lasted as long as five days on a cross.� At least the strong ones have."

�� "That must be good news for you, ole buddy."

�� Silence.� Thoughtful silence.� Trying to sort out the past.� And the future.� What there is left of it.

�� "Do you think there's a God after all?"

�� "Huh!� I'm surprised you haven't found the Devil in one of those mines of yours."

�� "You know, I never believed in God.� He just wasn't logical.� The world is in too bad a shape for there to be a God."

�� "Well, while you're at it, try to figure out if there's a Devil.� The world is in too good a shape for there to be a Devil."

�� "I never thought of that before."

6:00 AM

�� "Did you ever go to synagogue?"� Nabal has broken the silence once more.

�� "My grandmother took me while I was growing up."

�� "My parents sent me.� They never went.� I didn't see why I had to go when my dad didn't.� I had them convinced it was a waste of time by the time I was twelve."

�� "Huh!� I beat you by two years.� I was a real hell raiser in synagogue.� Spit balls at the rabbi.� Cat calls at the scripture reader.� Worms in the collection box."

�� "The sun's coming up.� It has beauty among the heavenly bodies like none other.� Look at the redness."

�� "Yeah, like blood!� Your blood and my blood...."

�� Silence once more.� And pacing....

7:00 AM

�� Commotion outside.

�� "Wonder what's going on?"

�� "You're going to have company, this morning."� It's the guard with their breakfast ~ a small piece of dirty bread.

�� "Company?"

�� "Yeah!� Jesus the prophet ~ or whatever he is."

��"You mean they're killing their new king already?"

�� "The coupe didn't work.� Nabbed him at midnight.� Had a kangaroo court all night.� He never had a chance.� And he's as innocent as the day he was born."

�� "Like me."

�� "No, not like you Stupid Nabal.� Maybe him.� Maybe Jesus.� Probably Jesus.� But not you.� You're as guilty as sin."

�� "You guys have got an hour to eat your last meal.� Then we're going for a little ride."

�� The cell is quiet once more.�

�� Thinking.� Thinking in fear.� And wondering.� What will it be like?� They'd heard of men going mad on the cross because of the pain.� Will they make fools of themselves up there?

�� Then what?� After the dying what?� Do they go out of existence?� Is their mind eternal?� Do they have such a thing as a soul?� What is a soul, anyway?�

�� "I heard he's done lots of miracles.� Do you think he really did?"

�� "Who, Jesus?� I think that's why they're crucifying him.� They know his power and they're afraid of it."� Ahab gets up from the stench-filled corner where he had spent the night and walks over to a small window.� He sees clouds churning overhead.� He wonders how warm it is out.

�� "I heard he's even brought corpses back to life," Nabal adds.� "Just a few weeks ago he brought a man right out of the grave.� He'd already been embalmed and everything.� I heard there were a lot of eye witnesses.� Of course it was a hoax."

�� "I don't know.� If it really happened, it's too late for us.� We don't have a chance in a million.� Not you and me.� If there's a heaven, and if there's a hell, you know where we're both going in the next day or two."

�� Nabal goes back to his own corner and slides down the wall, scratching his back on the way.� He hits the wall.� He stands up and hits it again and again.

�� "No!� They can't do this to me!� No!� They can't.� It wasn't supposed to end like this!� They can't.� They can't.� No!� Please, no!"

8:00 AM

�� Clanging of the barred door.� Clanging like chains and steel scraping against each other across a hull.� The hull of a sinking ship about to submerge forever into utter blackness.

�� "Gentlemen, it's time."

�� Both men look up startled, though they had known the end was near.

�� "Well, I'll see you, Nabal."

�� "See me?"

�� "Yeah, in hell."

�� Chains are placed on both men's feet and wrists.� Slowly they scuffle out of their cells.� Slowly down the dim corridor.� The men in the other cells are by their doors.� Some make noises inside to let the condemned know they know what is about to transpire.

�� "Hey, guys!� Be cool!" one calls out through his heavy cell door.

�� Slowly....

�� "Hey, it's been a blast!" another calls out.

�� Slowly....

�� "We're with you all the way!" says another.

�� Slowly....

�� "Hey, God bless you!"

�� They both stop abruptly.�

�� The guards prod them on.� ��

�� There's an ox-driven cart waiting for them, and two more guards armed with swords.� They sit in the back with their shackled legs hanging off.

�� Ahab breaks the silence.� "You know I stole one of these once.� It was the highlight of my career."� He smiles an artificial smile.

�� Nabal has not acknowledged him.� He is in his own private hell.

�� Moments later the cart comes to a stop. "Here's where you get out.� You gotta walk the last mile yourself."

�� They get out and stand in place.� Minutes later the cart leaves.� They turn around to see what is taking place.

�� "What?� That guy over there!� He's covered with blood!� They're going to crucify him?� There's nothing left!" [1]

�� "Shut up!� Look at this mob!"

�� "Oh, God, if you're there.� I don't wanna die!� Oh, God, please don't make me."

�� "Shut up, Nabal!� You're going to make things even worse on yourself, and maybe me too."

�� "Oh please!� I can't die!"

�� Suddenly a soldier is prodding Nabal forward with the brunt of his rifle.� Everyone is in a nasty mood.� Things are going to be worse than he ever imagined.

�� "I don't wanna die!� I don't wanna die!"

�� "Why, you sneaking thief...."

�� A soldier raises his foot and thrusts it into Nabal's shins and he falls backward to the ground.

�� "Please, please don't make me die!"� He crawls over to the commander, but only to find his face in the dust with a heavy foot mashed down on it.

�� "He acts like he doesn't want to die!"� The amused mob that has assembled laughs in approval.

�� "Take your filthy hands off me!"

�� The commander turns.� Ahab is brought out.� Two soldiers hold on to him.�

�� "So, you're number three.� What did I hear you say about someone's hands?� Well, since you don't like theirs, how about trying mine?"

�� "Oof!"�

�� An iron fist sinks into the prisoner's middle.� Again and again.� Each time the blow finds its mark.

�� "Okay.� We've got the beams ready.� Let's get him and his two buddies out of here and up execution hill."

10:30 AM

�� ....It has been an hour.� Only an hour since the spikes pierced their hands and feet.� The spikes that have taken a death grip on their senses like a crocodile shaking them between his teeth in order to swallow them a piece at a time.

�� "Ahhhhhhh!� Ahhhhhhh!� Ahhhhhhh!"

�� The spasms again.

�� "Uhhhhcgk....� Uhhhhcgk....� Uhhhhcgk...."

�� And struggling for air.

�� "Uhghghghg....� Uhghghghg....� Uhghghgh...."� Forever the pain and the rasping for the next breath.

�� They wonder why they are doing it.� Why struggle for air when it only prolongs the torture and agony?� Why not will themselves to die?� But somehow they cannot make themselves do it.

�� Sometimes Nabal and Ahab look in the direction of noisy, celebrating onlookers, and wonder why the Temple is so well represented at the execution. �They know they're not the reason.� The Temple hasn't a clue who they are.�

�� It doesn't take them long to realize the clergy is there making sure the guy hanging between them dies.

�� "Why does he make them so mad?" Nabal wonders.� "If I'd figured out how to perform magic and get by with calling it miracles, I could have destroyed the empire and saved Palestine."

�� Ahab looks at it from a different angle.� "I could have turned anything into money with power like that.� And weapons.� Anything I wanted to take over the government."

�� "Hey, you Jesus," they hear over and over.� "f you're the Son of God, do this...."� "If you're the Son of God, do that...."

�� What is going on?� Jesus, who are you?� Jesus, why are they so desperately mad?� What have you don't to them, Jesus?� Where's all your so-called followers?� Why don't they take you down off the cross?

�� "If you're the Son of God," they continue to hear, "come down from the cross."

�� The crowd's having a field day at Jesus' expense.� He doesn't even answer them.�

�� Why isn't he answering?� Jesus, you've got guts.� What makes you tick?�

�� "If you're the Son of God...."

�� What's this Son of God stuff they keep talking about?� Does he have connections with God no one else does?� Is there really a God?� What's going on?

�� "If you're the Son of God...."

�� Over and over, relentlessly.� Are they trying to break the man?� They've already got him.� Why do they keep saying it?� Is it because it's possible?

�� "Hey you!"� Ahab raises himself up by straining at the nails so he can say something.� "Son of God!"� He chokes.� "You're some sorry excuse," he rasps, "of a God."

�� "Jesus!� Is that your name?"� He strains and gasps for air.� "If you're so good," he struggles for air, "tell your dad to save...you...and...us!"� ��

�� Nabal takes courage at Ahab's bluntness.�

�� "Yeah!"� He jerks with spasms.� "Ahghghghg!� Ahghghghg!� Hurry!� Ahhhhhhh!� Do your stuff!"� He stops to grab a raspy breath.� "A command....� A miracle...."�

He lifts himself to free his lungs and winces with the pain in his hands.� "Please...uhhhhcgk...get us out of...uhhhhcgk...this...uhhhhcgk...mess!" He gasps. "Please! I don't...wanna...uhhhhcgk...die!" [2]

� �� Silence once more from the crosses.� Nothing but silence.� And groaning in agony.

�� "Well...uhhhhcgk...that's what I thought," retorts Ahab.� "Religion! It's bunk....uhhhhcgk.... Always was....Uhhhhcgk.... Always will be...." [3]

11:00 AM

�� On and on the jerking and the writhing and the relentless pain.� On and on the struggle to breathe in and back out again.� On and on fighting to live but gradually wanting to die.

�� "If you're God," Jesus hears, "get us down from here!"�

�� Nabal's voice is desperate.� It is stronger than Jesus' for he has not been beaten.� He knows his torture will last much longer.� Maybe days longer.� He knows it will drive him insane.�

�� "Ahhhhhhh!� I can't stand it any longer!� Ahhhhhhh!� Pleeeeeasse!"� Nabal is hysterical.� "Pleeeeeasse!� Ahhhhhhh!� If you're God...."

�� Jesus does not waste his breath on rebuttals.� They're not important any more.

�� "Pleeeeeasse!"

�� Ahab intercedes.� An intercessor for Jesus?� An intercessor?� He's changed his mind?

�� Ahab has had time to think.� The mockers on the ground have been preaching a sermon.� They hadn't intended to.� The mockers actually believe in Jesus and his miracles.� They'd have to or they wouldn't be executing him.� They're actually afraid of him! [4]

�� He has had time to remember.� The things his sister talked about the time he made her shut up.� The things the guy at the market made him listen to while he stood in line for beer.� That scripture scroll he found in a cave hideout and read just for something to do.� They're all making sense now.

� �� Despite his own torture, Ahab calls back with a gruff rasp.��

�� "Shut up!� Leave him alone!"� He coughs.� "Don't you get it?� Uggghhhh!� We're actually...uggghhhh...suffering," he gasps for air, "with a man from God!� Uggghhhh....� Maybe even God himself!"

�� Nabal looks over in Ahab's direction.� "Are you...uggghhhh...out of your...uggghhhh...mind?"� Then he realizes he's contradicted himself.� How can an imitation God save them from their torturous death?

�� Ahab twists in agony to get his next words out.� Words his sister and buddies never thought they'd hear him say.� Words he never thought he'd say.�

�� "We're guilty, air head!� Uggghhhh....� You're guilty!� Uggghhhh...� I'm guilty!"� He pauses to fight for another breath of air.� "Uggghhhh....� We deserve our execution!"� And another pause.� "Uggghhhh...."� He raises himself up.� The mutilated skin around the stakes stretches and tears and screams for relief.�

�� "Ahhhhhhh."

�� "But Jesus.� Aggghhhh....� He's innocent!� He's innocent!"

�� Then, in spite of the stinging effort, he turns ever so slightly and implores.� "Jesus?� Aggghhhh...."

�� The Savior turns his eyes, then turns his throbbing head as far as he can manage.� Their eyes meet.

�� "Jesus...uggghhhh...take me with you!� Wherever you're ...uggghhhh...going...uggghhhh...let me go with you!"

�� But don't you know he's dying?

�� "Uhhhhhhhgh....� You're going to do it...uhhhhhhhgh...beyond the grave....Uhhhhhhhgh....aren't you?"� He pauses to try to stop the spasms from returning.� "Can I be there...ahhhhhhh...when you do?� Ahhhhhh....� I'm not much.� Uhhhhhhgh...I've really been a rotten sinner.�� Uhhhhhhhgh...but," another gasp, "take me along....Uhhhhhhhgh....� Promise?"

�� Touched by these words, Jesus stretches and pushes upward in defiance of King Pain, and gasps.

�� "I promise," his voice stronger now, "this very day....uhhhhhhhgh....you're going with me...uhhhhhhhgh...to paradise! [5]

�� Paradise?� The garden of God?� A garden where soft breezes blow, cool waters flow, and restful meadows grow?� A garden of rest and joy and carefree living?� Paradise?

�� Ahab tries to transcend his pain to imagine where he will be in a few hours.� He knows Jesus cannot last much longer.� And he even promised he'd go today too.� He won't be on the cross for days after all.� He tries to form a smile.� He'd nearly forgotten how....

2:30 PM

�� The three have been on their crosses some six hours.� To some, the stronger ones, it's just the beginning.� Ahab knows he is one of the stronger ones.� But he continues to remember Jesus' promise that his death will be soon.� That very day.� Sweet death.

� �� The last three hours have been incredibly dark and cold.� Too dark.� Too cold. There have often been earthquakes in the area after such darkness.� But Ahab has never seen darkness like this.

�� And Jesus.� He has been strangely silent.�

�� Is he conscious?� Is he dead?� Periodically one of the soldiers walks up and feels Jesus' skin.� "He's still alive!" he calls out to his commander each time.

�� Ahab continues in his own agony.� And Nabal.�

�� Uhghghgh....� Uhghghgh....� Uhghghgh....

�� "Someone, get me down," Nabal begs.� Uhghghgh....� I didn't do anything wrong.� Uhghghgh....� I came to save you.� Uhghghgh....Save you from the empire.� Uhghghgh....� I wanted to be your savior...."

�� "Shut up, air head.� Uhghghgh....� They're laughing at you.� Uhghghgh....� Just shut up before....uhghghgh....I come over and ....ughghgh....punch your lights out...."

�� Then, for the first time in three hours, they hear Jesus groan.� He'd been passed out such a long time.� He's conscious again.� They thought he'd die in his sleep.

�� "Uhhhaaah....Uhhhaaah....Uhhhaaaah...."

�� Jesus is trying to say something.� They look over at him.� He's looking wild.� He's looking up into the sky.� Is he hallucinating?� What's going on?

�� The last thing he and Nabal ever expected to hear from Jesus suddenly floods their ears.

�� "My God!� ....Uhhhaaah....� Why did you....uhhhaaah...desert me?"

�� Oh, Jesus, he hasn't deserted you.� Keep believing, Jesus.� Remember that trip you promised we're going to be making together soon?� Keep believing, Jesus.

�� Ahab and Nabal don't notice when he whispers something about his thirst.� Their own unbelievable pain engulfs them in their own private agony.

�� Then another cry from Jesus.� "Uhhhaaah....� It...uhhhaaah...is...uhhhaaah...finished...."

�� Both Nabal and Ahab strain to see what's going on.� How will he die?� They know it is eminent.� How will he do it?� Will he suddenly glow like the sun?�

�� Then the scream.� "Ahhhhhhhghghgh!"

�� "Don't leave without me, Jesus...Uhghghgh....� You...uhghghgh...promised...."

3:00 PM

�� They do not know that at that moment Jesus is being embraced by his heavenly father.� They do not know that at that moment Jesus is smiling.� I did it, Father.� I did it.

�� I'm so proud of you, Son.� I am so proud of you.� Now we can have our family.� Now there will be many brothers and sisters for you, many sons and daughters for me.� All because of you.� I'm so proud of you, Son. [6]

�� The angels all gather around.� "Welcome home, Jesus.� Welcome home."

�� Son, you have to leave now.� You have a few things left to do in Paradise, then you have to return to earth for awhile longer so people can see you alive again.

�� Yes, I know, Father.� I will return soon.

�� I'm proud of you, Son.� So very proud. [7]

�� Jesus looks down on the crucifixion scene.� He sees his earth body still hanging there without him.� He sees the wind whipping up and the crosses beginning to shake.�

�� People look over at the three crosses.� Is God about to shake them loose from there?

�� Now the whole earth is shaking.� Giant rocks are breaking loose and rushing down the execution hill.� And from nearby comes a deafening roar heard around the world.� The magnificant Temple on the opposite hill is shaking ~ the great eternal Temple.� Within, the great 30-foot-high curtain tears from top to bottom, the curtain that had always hidden the Holy of Holies from mankind. [8]

�� And with that, Jesus is transformed somewhere between heaven and hell.� He is standing at the gates of paradise.

�� "Bravo!"

�� "Hurrah!"

�� "You did it!� You saved us!"

�� "Thank you, Jesus!"

�� "How can we thank you enough, Jesus?" [9]

�� Then a song.� A numberless chorus of people from the beginning of time.� A myriad believers who did not quite understanding what they were believing in, but trusted God to explain it some day.� He has explained it!� Oh how he has!

�� OPEN UP, GATES OF PARADISE!�

The chorus swells.�

�� WELCOME, KING OF GOODNESS!� COME IN!

The chords bounce from star to star.�

�� WHO IS THIS KING OF GOODNESS?

Their voices ring in uncontrollable exhilaration.�

�� THE LORD JESUS!

They cannot hold it back.

THE ONE WHO WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CONQUER HELL!

Their elation knows no bounds.�

�� WHO IS THIS KING OF GOODNESS?

�� THE COMMANDER OF THOSE WHO DESTROY EVIL BY DOING GOOD!

GOD'S ARMIES! [10]

�� One by one, everyone gets a chance to see Jesus face to face. [11]

�� "I knew all along it was true.� I knew I'd get to see you some day.� I just knew it."

�� Hello, Abraham, it's a pleasure to be with you in person. [12]

�� "May I introduce to you my wife, Sarah." [13]

�� Oh, look over here.� I see Moses.� Moses, it's good to see you again. [14]

�� And here come some of my friends who faced torture just like I did, rather than deny my existence. [15]

�� And you people over here.� You went through so much to make sure Satan didn't win in your lives.� You went through some terrible tortures so we could be together some day.� I'm so proud of you. [16]

�� "And we're proud of you too, Jesus.� We saw what you went through on the cross." [17]

�� "We saw what you went through in hell.� We never imagined how powerful you were.� We kind of knew.� We were depending on you.� You inspired us all.� Thank, you, Jesus, for conquering Satan for us.� We could never do it.� It had to be you.� Thank you." [18]

�� Everyone, in three days I'll be returning to earth.

�� "Why?� Paradise is so much better?� Why would you want to return there?"

�� I must prove I continue to live on.� I must re-enter my old body so the Father can bring it back to life along with my spirit.� It's the only way I can prove that they, too, will live again just by believing that I came back to life.� Then I will establish my church. [19]

�� Now, those of you who died and were buried outside of Jerusalem, I am sending you back first.

�� "Us?� Why?"

�� Some people will claim they didn't see me.� There are many more people you collectively will be able to return to.� Now, you will return to your bodies in a few moments.� But you are to stay near your graves until I return to my body and show myself.� That's three days from now.�

�� Then after another forty days, I will come back for you, and transport Paradise to the shores of heaven where I have prepared my city. [20]

�� At that moment near execution hill, another blast.� It's the graves!� Look!� The rocks are splitting open.� And the dead~- the dead are climbing out of their graves!� They're rising!� They're sitting on their grave stones! [21]

�� "Oh God!� We beg you!� Save us!� Save us from this, this wrath!� What is wrong?� What has happened?"

�� "Sir, the dead bodies over there!� They've, they've come alive!� They're walking around!� What is this?"

�� "I don't know!� Keep your rifles ready.� If that god of theirs comes down, we'll fight as long as we can."

�� "Against a god?� Sir, what are you talking about?"

�� "Watch out!"

�� A boulder comes rushing down toward them.� They jump out of its path in time.� They steady themselves with their swords dug into the ground as the earth shakes.� Dust and leaves fly around them in anger.��

�� One of the soldiers looks toward the cross of Jesus.

�� "They said He was the son of God,"he yells over the roar of the wind.

�� "Sir, what if he was?� What if we've just executed the son of a god?"

�� The astonished centurion stares into Jesus' lifeless face.� The winds whip about him.� He trembles, but cannot take his eyes away.� Anger and awe suddenly surface.

�� "Not what if.� There can be no other explanation.� We have just executed the Son of God!"

�� Back in Paradise, everyone has waited in silence as those buried outside of Jerusalem disappear.� They know they've returned to their bodies temporarily.�

�� Those left behind turn again to Jesus for further instructions.� Things are happening so fast.� What next?

�� Soon I will take you out of this garden of paradise.� You've been here a long time waiting for me.� You've been waiting for the city of God.� When I go back to earth, I will build it.� It will take about a month to do it.� It will be a wonderful city; for it will be called my bride, my church. [22]�

�� It will be everything hell is not.� Hell is bottomless, but my city has foundations of my twelve apostles, and walls of salvation. [23]� There is a street of gold leading into the city, and I am that street. [24]

�� But we all lived on earth before you died on the cross.� Are you sure we'll be able to live in your city?

�� Definitely.� And to prove it, I am naming the gates into my city after each of the twelve tribes Moses led to the Promised Land. [26]

�� Once you are in my city, my church, you will no longer be able to see into hell or know what is going on there because of the Walls of Salvation.�

�� Never again will Satan have access to you.� He knew if I hadn't died and overcome him, he could have eventually pulled you right into hell.� He no longer has that power.� I now have the keys to both heaven and hell.

�� Suddenly Jesus remembers Ahab.�

�� Uh, there's something I must do.� Someone I promised to go get.� I'll be back.� It'll just take a minute.

�� Hello, Ahab.� It's time to go to Paradise now.

�� Ahab, still on the cross, opens his eyes and looks up into the sky.� "I'm coming, Jesus.� Uhhhhhhgh....I'm coming...."

�� He closes his eyes, only to open his spirit eyes.� He sees Jesus.� Jesus smiles.

�� Hello there, Ahab.� Are you ready?

�� "Yes, I'm ready.� Where is Paradise?"

�� Oh, we'll be there as soon as you blink your eyes once more.

�� "Look at that!� That's Paradise, isn't it?� You were right, Jesus!� You were right!"

�� Everyone, may I introduce you to Ahab.� He's my new friend.

�� "Welcome, Ahab.� You had faith enough to believe Paradise did exist.� That's all it took for you to get here.� Even weak faith is strong."

�� Ahab turns back to Jesus.� "Thank you.� Thank you for allowing me to die beside you.� You were so strong.� I knew there was something different about you.� That darkness.� I knew you caused it.� I knew.

�� "To think, you let me come here.� All I had to do was believe you would.� I didn't even have to be sinless.� Man, alive!"

�� Forever alive.

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Low-income people in prisons usually never learned to get along with people (felt like outsiders), therefore could not keep a job or a relationship.� Write a note of encouragement to someone in prison for common theft and send it through a chaplain if you do not know of a prisoner by name.� An alternative would be to encourage someone you know to turn their lives around who seems to be headed in the wrong direction.

2.�� High-income people in prisons tend to justify their actions as for the better good of either themselves or mankind.� They are often also charmers.� Write a note to someone in prison or someone who seems to be headed in the wrong direction, reminding them of the peace of mind that comes from ethical behavior, not from cars and boats and mansions.

3. Think about your own life.� If you have pretty much stayed out of trouble, you have pretty much succeeded in avoiding sins of commission (committing sins).� But there are also sins of omission (omitting good that should be done.� Now, how do your sins stack up?� Thank Jesus right now for all he went through to save you, a sinner.�

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