And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus
Eleven Apostles  II
CLOUD BURST
Thursday, about May 17, AD 30
Capernaum, Galilee
    So much to do.� Planning.� Figuring.� Organizing.� Preparing.� Nitty-gritty now.� The unfathomable on its heels.
    "How ready are we to move our families out of Capernaum and down to Jerusalem?" Peter asks.
    "I'd like to suggest," Matthew replies, "that we go on ahead so we can rent a house to be our headquarters like we did here."
    "Matthew is right," Philip continues.� "That way our families can join us whenever they have everything either sold or packed.� Those with children can take as long as they need."
    "Will we be safe?" asks Nathaniel.� "Do you think they're still looking for us?"
    "He wouldn't ask us to return if it weren't safe," Simon reassures.
    "How many more times do you think Jesus will come back to us?" Thaddeus asks.
     "Somehow I sense it won't be many.� It's like he's handing over the reins to us.� Man, I'm not ready for that.� Three years isn't enough training."� Thomas stands up and walks over to the chart of nations he'd put on the wall.
    Once more the quiet and the wondering.� For the past month it has felt as though they have been inside a wheel that is spinning out of control.�
    "Why us?"� It's Thaddeus.� "He could have picked much better educated and influential men than us.� Why did he choose us?"
    "I don't know the answer to that," says Peter.� "None of us does.� But one thing for sure, I will spend the rest of my life trying to live up to what he believes I can do."
    "So, when is the big move?" James Jr. asks.
    "The sooner the better," Simon answers for them all.
    "May as well head out tomorrow."
    The next morning at dawn, the house is crowded with family members and friends.� The eleven apostles pick up the packs they have set at the gate.� Those with family in town say good-bye to them with hugs and kisses and promises to write.�
     The men take one last look at their old headquarters house where their lives were turned upside down, then walk away.�
    As they wend their way out of town, they are quiet.� They look around them more than usual.� Not because they are frightened, but because it is likely to be the last time they see the old familiar sights.�
    When they get to the edge of town, Peter shouts, "Ready or not, world, here we come!"
Cheers.� Broad smiles.�  Tryomg to act like they know what they're doing even though deep down they wonder.
    Then the men settle in for the long walk in their usual ways.� Some have learned how to read as they walk and do so now, trying to trace all the prophecies of Jesus' life they can find.� Others go through their memories over and over what they would like to write to people in other cities and even other nations telling them of all the things Jesus said and did the past three years.� Others walk and stare and think and wonder.� �
    Still others daydream.� Dream of the old days when they were all together.� Dream of what is waiting for them in Jerusalem.� Dream of what Jesus really looks like when he is not surrounded by the body of a man.
    "The scriptures say there is only one God," Philip reflects aloud.� "But he's been talking about his father being God, and the comforting Spirit being God, and he being God too.� That makes three Gods, doesn't it?"
    "Don't you remember he said he and his father are one?" Andrew replies. [1]
    "I think it's like a marriage," Peter explains.� "The husband and wife are one, even though they're separate."
    "Or," Thomas adds, "it's like we humans have three entities ~ our hearts, our souls, and our minds.� It's like God the Father is the mind, Jesus the soul, and the Comforting Spirit the heart."  [2]
    Mile after mile.� City after city.� Ten miles, twenty, thirty.� Stopping for water, food and a little rest.��� Then back on the road.� Walking.� Thinking.� Trying to figure it all out.� Mostly in silence.
    Philip interrupts their wondering once more.� "There is something else I have been wondering.� If Jesus is eternal God, how can he have been born?� And, if Jesus is God, why does he have to obey God the Father?"
    "Jesus explained that to me once,"John replies.� "He said he is the mind of God that we humans can see or hear.� When he is seen, we see him in Jesus' body.� When he is heard, we hear him in Jesus' words. [3]
    "It's like God the Father is the fountain or source of life, the life giver.� The Father's thoughts are as eternal as he is, but were created by him.� Jesus is the Father's thoughts in seeable or audible form.� Jesus, in a sense, is the Father's brain child.� That is why he is called God the Son.� And God's thoughts have to obey the source of those thoughts, the Father."
    "So does that mean," Thaddeus considers aloud, "that this God Comforter Jesus keeps talking about, is the emotions and power of God ~ the love, mercy, determination, the moving force?"
    "Could be," says Thomas, shifting his pack.� "We're about to find out.� Jesus said he had to leave us so the Comforting Spirit could come." [4]
    "You know what comforts me the most?� Jesus' words.� They're a lot more reliable than feelings and emotions.� His words never change."
    "Don't you remember when Jesus called the Spirit Comforter the Spirit of Truth and that his words are truth?" James Jr. recalls aloud. [5]
    "Man, remember when Jesus explained that he was God's Word that we could see and hear?" Matthew recalls, kicking a small rock out of the road.� "Well, I remember when he also said that when the Father sent the Spirit of Truth, Jesus will come to us.� Does that mean Jesus was the Father's Word that we could see and hear, and the Spirit Counselor is the Father's Word that we can say and read?"� [6]
    Back to thinking and day dreaming and trying to figure everything out.� Back to staring at the scenery, taking an occasional swig out of wine skins, and sometimes bumping into each other when they forget they're not alone.
    Quiet.� Thoughtfulness with confusion and enlightenment intermingled.
    "Hey, where did that new lake come from?" James calls out.
    "Where?"
     "On the other side of the next hill."
    "You're imagining things, James."
    Up the hills, down into the valleys, across the streams, across the open plains.� Up and down, winding around curves, stretching of legs, wiping of sweaty brows.
    And wondering.
    On the sabbath they stop at one of the towns and worship.� Then they rest the remainder of the day in accordance with the command of God through Moses.
    On Sunday they continue their journey as far as Jericho and spend the night with Zacchaeus.� He did not sell his big mansion as they thought he would.� Instead he has filled it with the homeless with whom he has made arrangements to learn an occupation, and with whom he meets every evening to talk to them about how to get along with other people, and with God.
    "Do you still have your library?" Matthew asks.
    "Yes, I didn't know who to give all those scrolls to, so I kept them."
    "Do you have any histories?� You know, of Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome?"
    "I have plenty of them," Zacchaeus replies.� "And you are welcome to them if you can put them to good use.� But they will be quite a load to carry."
    "We can divide up the load between us," Philip intercedes, excited at the opportunity to do more research.� How Philip does love his research.
    "May I ask what you want them for?" Zacchaeus asks.
    "To investigate the prophecies in the scriptures about other nations.� To make sure we have evidence those prophecies really came true."
    The next morning, the eleven apostles are back on the road in the last leg of their journey.�
Monday, about May 23, AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea
    "What do you hear, Nathaniel?"
    They're at an oasis outside of Jerusalem.
    Someone traveling north said their hostel over by the Temple was for rent.� If we could rent the whole thing, we could stay together.� Maybe they would sell it to us later if they decide not to come back." [7]
    "Sounds like a plan," Peter replies.� "Give them a year's rent, Matthew."
    "I already did.� They gave me a letter of approval and the directions."
    The house is located down town in a not-very-good section, but very close to the Temple.� They agree it was a good choice and take down the sign that it is a hostel.
    They take their belongings to separate rooms.� Those with families coming take two rooms.� This is now their new home and headquarters.
    "Now what?" asks Andrew, now that they've reassembled in the courtyard.
    "We wait again," says James Jr.
    "Hey, Jesus!" Nathaniel shouts playfully to the sky, "we're back.� Come on out wherever you are!"
The others laugh and are glad for the way Nathaniel lightens things up for them.
    "What day is it, anyway?" Simon asks.
    "Tuesday," Matthew responds efficiently.� "He usually appears on Sunday, so we have some time to settle in."
    "He didn't appear last Sunday," Thaddeus reminds them.� "Maybe he is just giving us time to get the move taken care of."
Thursday, about May 26, AD 30
    "Breakfast!" John shouts out.�
    The eleven men gather around three tables they have put together in the former eating hall so they can eat together.� They have a twelfth place with no plate.� It will be for Jesus Sunday when he arrives.
    "Good!� Hot rolls!� John, you make a good chef!" Simon says with a grin as he stoops down to settle on his cushion.
Don't I get a plate?
That voice!�
Startled, they all look in the direction of the voice.
     Jesus stands there grinning.� I've had a long trip.� I'm starved.� Hey, did you put any berries in those rolls?� I love berries in them!
    The eleven return to their feet and stand by their cushions still unsure how to act.� Is he more God or more man this time?� They decide maybe both.
    They leave their places and take a few steps to where Jesus is standing.� Just like before.� Except perhaps a little closer.� One by one they fall to their knees.
    You know, worship is more than the position of your body, guys, he says.
They look up in surprise, and he leads the way back to the breakfast table.� They pause before eating.
   "Our Father in heaven, your very name is holy.� Your kingdom is about to come according to your will.� You are obeyed in heaven and now you are being obeyed on earth.� Thank you for our daily food.� And forgive everyone here for his sins to the extent that he forgives those who offend them.� For you have the power to forgive and bring people into your kingdom [8] their one and only mediator, ask this of you, oh God and Father of all.� Amen." [9]
The eleven apostles are grateful for the reminder.� He had taught them this prayer long ago.
We have a long day of work ahead of us.� I have a lot of things to explain to you.�
    The men gulp their food down, joking with each other and with Jesus over little things.� Just like in the old days.� Like in the days that never shall be again.� Thank you, Jesus, for giving us this refresher for our memories.
    Throwing the dishes into a pail to be washed later, and pouring fresh mugs of pomengranate juice, the men all gather in the courtyard.
    All that has happened, the Deliverer suffering and dying, was prophesied, as I told you up north.� Let's go over it again. [9] It was predicted some 1000 years ago I'd be betrayed by a friend. [10]� It was predicted about 500 years ago that the reward for turning me over to the authorities would be 30 pieces of silver [11]� Later the priests would spend that same money to purchase a dumping ground for clay to be used as a pauper's graveyard. [12]
    Even though our people never crucify anyone to execute them, I was crucified; this was also predicted about 500 years ago [13]
    Remember the three hours of darkness while I was on the cross?� That was predicted too.� And the light that night was from the salvation I was bringing mankind. [14]
  David also predicted 1000 years ago that none of my bones would be broken at my death, though it's normal practice to break leg bones at crucifixions if they want them to die sooner. [15]� It was predicted 700 years ago I would be killed along with others who'd been condemned to die as criminals. [16]
    "Wait a minute, Jesus, show me in the scriptures where these things were predicted," says James Jr., pen and scroll in hand.�
One by one, Jesus rolls through various scripture scrolls.
    There are some prophecies about my execution that people could say I manipulated, which is true.� But they cannot say that about everything [17]
    Now then, I was buried in the tomb of a rich man, and that was predicted 700 years ago. [18]
    Coming back to life three days later, was prophesied.� It too, of course, has now come to pass.
    It was predicted by Hosea about 750 years ago that I would come back to life the third day, thus making it possible for others to be resurrected to live forever with God. [19]
    About twenty-five years after that, Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish and died.� But three days and nights later, he was vomited up by the fish and God brought him back to life.� This was a foretaste of what I would do, except my resurrection is permanent [20]
    Zechariah predicted there would be an earthquake when I came back to life.� Not only that, but there was an earthquake at my death too.� Remember?� At that time many others saints who had been dead came back to life [21]
    David predicted 1000 years ago that during the time I was dead, my body would not decay.� As you can see, it didn't [22]
    "Wait a minute, Jesus," Simon interrupts.� "We're trying to keep up with all this.� Could you give us a little time to look these up to make sure we understand them?"
Sure.� I'll go knead the bread for tonight's supper.� Take your time.
    Jesus gets up and walks to the kitchen area at the other end of the courtyard.� As he does, the men look up from their scrolls and stare at him.�
    He is actually their Lord.� He is God who can choose to divide himself and inhabit any body he wants to.� He is God who proved they can be friends with their Maker.� They can laugh and joke and gripe and cry and grumble and shout as much as they want.� Friends are like that.� God is their friend.
    They watch his every movement.� They try to etch his mannerisms in their minds forever.� The way he folds the dough over exactly three times in one direction before moving the bowl around.� The way he holds the bowl like you would running with a large ball.� The way he sways back and forth and wags his head as though he is singing to his dough.
    They watch as he finally flips the whole ball of dough with a flair high into the air, then catches it in the bowl.
Man, Jesus, we are going to miss you.
    How are things going out there? he calls to their end of the courtyard, knowing they haven't even begun checking out those scripture references.� God knows everything.
    Hurriedly the men begin to compare notes with each other and compare notes with the scriptures and compare notes with a history of the world Matthew brought along that Zacchaeus had given them.
    God places a clean cloth over the bread, then pours more pomegranate juice for everyone.� Spring time, he announces.� The time when dead things resurrect.� My favorite time of the year.
    They hear water.� God is filling a large pan with water.� Now God is stirring the water with soap in his hand.� And now God is cleaning up the breakfast dishes for them.�
    It is a mutual admiration society.� God loves them.� They love God.� Except God is worth being loved because he is all powerful and all loving.� They are not.
Juice coming up!
    The dishes are done, the dough is rising, and their time to compare notes is done.� They sip a moment and Nathaniel tells a joke.� Then Jesus puts his mug down.
    Now, the duration of my teaching the people was predicted by Daniel about 530 years ago.� He said I would teach for three and a half years, and that happened.� He even predicted the exact year I would begin teaching, and then die [23]
    As you know, in the Jewish religion we are not allowed to teach religiously until we are thirty years old [24]� So if you count back thirty years, you know the exact year of my birth [25]
Now, that takes me to the prophecies concerning my birth.� Everybody with me?
    "Drink the rest of your juice, Jesus, while we catch up," Peter asks.
Sure thing.� I'll bet the dishes are dry.� Think I'll go put them away.� Got any certain place for them?
    "Just throw them on a table wherever you can.� We just moved here, you know," Simon calls after him.
    Jesus goes back to the kitchen area and puts away the dishes.� He pours some fresh water from a large jug into a pitcher.� Then he walks around looking over the shoulders of his friends, a finally sits down and waits a few more minutes.
Okay, we've got to keep moving.� Let's talk about my birth.
I was to be a descendant of Abraham who lived about 2000 years ago, and of David who lived about 1000 years ago. [26]
Still with me?
    We already talked about the exact year of my birth.� It was also predicted 700 years ago that my mother would be a virgin, miraculously empowered to have a child by God. [27] Even though my parents lived at one end of the country in Galilee, it was predicted 700 years ago by Micah that I would be born at the other end in Bethlehem, Judea. [28]
  Sadly, it was also predicted about 500 years ago that there would be a slaughter of children after my birth. [29]� Further, it was predicted that my parents would escape with me to Egypt until the danger was over. [30]
  Now, we need to talk about prophecies of the future.� If the things I told you about happened, then you know the ones not fulfilled yet will too.� So you need to be prepared for them....
    "Can we have lunch first, Jesus?" begs Peter.� "I never understood how you could skip meals like you did.� No wonder you got so skinny."
Okay, guys, lunch break.� What does everyone want?
    ";You just stay put," James Jr. objects.� "We'll serve you this time."
and James Jr. go to the kitchen area to get things ready.� That's the way they're divided up.� Two to fix the meal, two to clean up afterwards.� Four for each meal, three times a day.
    "Hey, wanna arm wrestle?" asks Simon, once more trying to recapture the old days.� "Oh, uh, I forgot your hands."
Who made hands?� I can arm wrestle, even with holes in them!
Whooping!� Hollering!� Cheering on one side or the other.� "Go, Simon!" or "Go, Jesus!"
It's a draw.� Everyone knows Jesus let Simon get as far as he did.� Then again, maybe he didn't.� He's pretty skinny still.
    "So your kingdom of God is going to be a world-wide kingdom" Matthew says as they sit back down.
    "Don't you remember him saying God loved the whole world so much he sent his only son to earth to rescue us from the punishment of our self-destructive sins?" Thomas reminds them.  [31]
Jesus smiles in approval.
    "How do you like our new headquarters?� Think it's big enough?" James asks.
    "Big enough, probably, but not very dignified, especially after our wives and kids move in," Nathaniel answers.
    "Come get it!" Peter calls out from the eating hall.
    The men in the courtyard charge for the eating hall, Andrew leading the pack.� Suddenly he stops and holds out his arms across the doorway so no one can get in.
    "Cut it out, Andrew!" Philip objects with a laugh.
    Andrew turns around facing the courtyard, but throws his arms up again.� "Gentlemen, where are your manners?� I believe we have an honored guest."
    "Oh, uh, yeah," John replies, backing up.�
    "Make way!� Make way!" Nathaniel announces.� The men back up, then Nathaniel makes a wide sweep of his hand as he bows at the waist.� "Jesus, you're first." 
    The others follow suit.� And even though they are joking in a way, it is helping them cope with the fact that their leader is not just a man as they had thought.� Deep down, they know their laughter is the laughter of praise and joy.� Jesus chose them to be his personal apostles!� Them out of all the millions of guys in the world!
How they love him.
How he loves them.
    They are seated.� The man who sets the table is always the one to thank God for their food.� Everyone bows their head.� But nothing is said.
    "Jesus," James Jr. says a little embarrassed, "do we thank you for the food?"
I was co-creator with the Father.� Why don't you thank the Father?� He loves it when you talk to him. [32]
    "Oh, Father God," Peter begins.� "We thank you for....� for so much!� Part of you, your son, has been with us all along.� What a gift!� He is the food we eat, the air we breathe, our life blood.� I would have never thought of doing it this way.� Sending him among us so we could understand your words....
    "God, the food we're about to eat, well, we know you give life even to plants.� We thank you for it.� Without you, there is no life....�
    "And speaking of life, before Jesus none of us was really alive.� Not deep down.� We cannot thank you enough times.� We feel your smile, God.� You have given us real happiness and real life.� Thank you.� Amen."
    The men raise their heads and quietly look around at each other and then over to Jesus.� God is indeed smiling.� From ear to ear.� There are even a few tears of joy in God's eyes.� Jesus stands and reaches his hands around the table, just to momentarily clasp hands with each of the men he loves.
   Now, let's enjoy what the Father and I have given you!� Peter, what did you cook up for us?� Chicken?� I see we've worked through things, Peter.� Great!� I love chicken! [33]
As the men eat, they alternate between small talk and serious business.
    "We've got this place rented for a year,"says Thaddeus. "Does that fit in with the plans?"
    Perfectly.� I want you to stay here and don't leave town until you receive the gift my Father promised to give you.� You were immersed in water when you first believed in me.� You will next be immersed in God's Spirit. [34]
The men stop eating and stare at Jesus.� "Immersed in the Spirit of the God of the universe?" Philip asks.
    Matthew goes out to the courtyard to get his notes and another blank scroll.� He puts his plate on a nearby table, then sits back down ready to take notes once again.
    Others follow his example.� Before they know it, they are back into the questions and answers and trying to comprehend everything Jesus is explaining.�
    He now talks about the future.� How they are to set up the new kingdom of God.� It will be known as the church ~ the called-out ones.� The church will not be a Temple, a synagogue or any kind of building.� The church will be people.� People who believe he came back to life and want him to do the same for them. [35]
In mid-afternoon Jesus stops talking.
It's time! he announces.
Time?
We're going for a walk.
Where to?�
Just head out in the direction of Bethany.� I'll tell you where to stop. [36]
    As they walk out of town they pass execution hill.� They stop and stare.� Three upright beams are still in place.� They get off the main road and walk up the hill.� They stand there motionless.� Jesus walks a little closer and touches his cross.
    Jesus, we didn't understand.� Your flesh was torn for us.� We were the ones who should have received the lashing that turned your back into meat.� And the thorny slivers on the cross.� The slivers that went into your already shredded back to create gangrene.� The lashing and thorns were supposed to be for us, not you.� And the nails too, Jesus.� The nails too.� How could you go through that in our place?
    Jesus, we didn't understand.� Your nakedness.� They stripped you instead of us.� We were the ones who's nakedness should have been exposed, and put on display for the whole world to gawk at and ridicule.� We were the ones who were supposed to have been subjected to exposure, enduring both the heat of the day and the cold of that strange noon-time darkness.� How could you have endured this for us?
    Jesus, we didn't understand.� Your blood.� It was shed for us.� If we had been the only sinners in the world, you still would have had to die to free us from hell.� That was our blood that was supposed to be falling off the cross that day, not yours.� How could you love us that much?
    Jesus, we didn't understand.� Your every breath.� Taken away from you a gasp at a time as you hung there by merciless nails tearing away at your life, rendering your lungs almost paralyzed, piercing your soul.� Each time you chose to ignore the screaming blood vessels in your back and the unbearable spasms in your arms and legs just so you could get just one more taste of breath, that should have been us.� How could you volunteer your own body to be tortured like that in our place?
    Jesus, we didn't understand.� In the flames of your fever and the darkness of our sins, you descended to a horrible place where God does not go.� Completely forsaken by your God.� Completely deserted by love.� Not because you simply bore our sins, but you actually became our sins.� How could you, who struggled a lifetime to make sure you never sinned, become exactly what you hated for us?
    Jesus, we did not understand.� All our little lies, little things we took home accidently and kept, the strangers we never encouraged, the friends we never shared our love for you with, our arrogance in not following you.� Jesus, we are so ashamed.� How can we ever make it up to you?� How can we tell you how sorry we are? [37]
    Jesus turns and looks at his eleven friends.� "I want you to travel the world over and teach the good news to everyone.� Whoever believes what I did for them and then imitates me by dying to their sinful nature and being buried in water like I was buried in a tomb, will come up out of the water saved, just like I came up out of my tomb their savior." [38]
    "You already have the ability to perform miracles so they will believe what you say.� They will see demons driven out, they will hear you speak in languages you never learned, they will see you pick up poisonous snakes and drink poison slipped to you by your enemies and it will not hurt you, they will see you touch the sick so that they get well.  [39]
    Jesus heads back down to the main road.� They follow.� They feel a sense of urgency in his voice.� A sense of finality.� He directs them up the highway.� About half way between Jerusalem and Bethany they approach the grove of olive trees they had gone to on that night.
Let's turn here.� Let's go to our usual spot.
What is going on?� They all remember so painfully.� What is he trying to do to them?� Rip their hearts out?
    They stop where there is still the remains of their old bon fire with the thirteen rocks around it just like they'd left them over forty days ago.� Jesus keeps walking and they follow.� He walks to the grassy clearing near the trees.� That's where he had left them while he prayed for God to not make him die. [40]
At the clearing he stops and turns toward them.�
    EVERYONE READY?  THE ANGELS RECALL WHERE THEY STOOD AS HE SAID GOODBYE TO HIS FATHER MANY YEARS BEFORE. [41]
    "Jesus," Simon asks, "Are you going to put Israel in charge of your new kingdom of God?� Like when David was the king three thousand years ago and ruled half the world?"  [42]
Hurry and ask your questions.� There's not much time left.
    "Yes, Jesus," the others all join in.�
    "Is the time to do that now?"
    "Is our nation's former greatness going to be restored?"
    "Come on, tell us.� We'd really like to know."
    "That is none of your concern.� God the Father is taking care of that."  [43]
    "What concerns you is that you be receptive when God the Spirit comes to you next."  [44]
We don't quite understand what that means, Jesus.� Could you just sit down awhile and explain it to us?
    Besides, Jesus, we can't speak all those languages.� That's expecting too much.� It'll take us years to learn them.� Can't you get some help for us?
    "Once God the Spirit arrives, you will be able to use God's Words directly to testify about me starting in Jerusalem.� You will then spread out to all of Judea, then Samaria, until eventually you cover the whole world." [45]
    "READY, EVERYONE?� GOD IS OPENING THE DOOR!� CHORUS, ARE YOU ALL WARMED UP?� DO YOU HAVE YOUR SONG READY?� ARE THE GOLDEN STREETS ALL POLISHED?� AND HIS THRONE?� IS IT IN PLACE FOR HIM?"
    Jesus raises his arms in front of him.�
    My blessings I give to you.
    What's happening?� His clothes are glowing!
    MY FATHER I GIVE TO YOU.
    His voice is taking on a resonance they never heard before!
    MY SPIRIT I GIVE TO YOU.
    His hair is like flames!
    REMEMBER I ALWAYS LOVED YOU....
    The clouds overhead are turning and stirring and billowing.�
   FROM THE VERY BEGINNING I LOVED YOU....
    The clouds are rising and falling in pulsation.
    Ready to give birth.
    Birth into another world.
���� I�� W I L L�� L O V E�� Y O U�� F O R E V E R ! ! ! ! [46]
Wait, Jesus!�
Wait!�
Don't go!�
Please, don't go!�
We can't do it without you!�
Please, don't go....�
Jesus....�
Please....
The men try to grab hold of his feet, but they are now flames of fire. [47]
We love you too, Jesus!� We love you too!
Higher and higher he raises.� Brighter.� Brighter than the sun.�
Shimmering!� Flames of majesty!� Blazing in splendor!
Higher.� Still higher.
Merging.� With the sun.� With glory.� With the divine.
The eleven men stand still, their necks bent back, their eyes straining to see what is slipping out of human view.
Jesus touches the clouds.�
Still he rises.�
His human body more and more taking on a different shape.� The shape of Almighty God.� The Supreme Being.��
The clouds move in and billow around him.
Then
in a
shimmer
he
is
gone. [48]
    Still they stare.�
    Searching.    
    Jesus?� Where are you Jesus?� We wanted to go with you.� We can't live without you.�
    The men squint their eyes trying to catch just one more glimpse of him.�
    But he is gone.�
    "You men of Galilee!� Why are you staring at an empty sky?"
    The eleven spin around and see two men standing in front of them.� If they are men.� They are wearing white robes [49]
    "This very same Jesus who you saw leave in the clouds will return some day in the clouds.� But for now, he has taken his place in heaven." [50]
    The two men in white disappear before their eyes.� The eleven men stare once more into the sky.�
    Then one by one. . . .
    They fall to their knees. . . .
    "Jesus!" Simon calls out.� "Now we know for sure!� You were God all along!"
    "Jesus!" Matthew declares as loudly as he can, "from now on we will call you God!"
    "Jesus!" James Junior shouts into the sky.� "How could you have done all this for us?"
    "It wasn't just the cross you endured!" John shouts.� "You gave up heaven! to come show us how to live!� Now!� Forever!" [51]
    They do not know how long they worship.� It is nearly impossible to stop.� They finally do, however, for worship includes spreading the news.
    "We must tell the others!" Peter declares rising to his feet.
    Yes, tell everyone!� He is God!� He is God!� He opened the door of heaven for us!� Yes, tell the others!  [52]
"HALLELUJAH!"�
"HALLELUJAH!"�
HALLELUJAH!"
THE ANGEL CHORUS SINGS OUT.
THE GATES OF HEAVEN SWING WIDE.�
THERE, WAITING FOR THE SON, IS THE FATHER.�
JESUS WALKS FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL HE IS IN A RUN.
FATHER GOD AND SON GOD HOLD OUT THE ARMS OF THE UNIVERSE TO EACH OTHER
AND EMBRACE
UNTIL ONCE AGAIN
THEY ARE ONE.
     Yes, we must tell the world. [53]
LIFE APPLICATION
1.�� Do you sometimes think it would have been better for Jesus to stay here in a human body so he could go all over the world himself and convince people who he was?� After all, seeing is believing.� But if Jesus was still confined to a human body, would he be able to be everywhere at once as he can now?� Ultimately, would you rather have Jesus nearby only occasionally or nearby always?
2.�� Do you feel Jesus was egotistical in saying he is the only way to eternal life when there are other equally good religions in the world promising the same thing?� First, is it egotistical to claim penicillin is the only cure for something when it is indeed the only cure?� Second, can any other religion be proven?�
3.�� Many people believe heaven would be boring.� There will be many exciting things to do there, for God believes in work, not laziness.� Will it be hard work?� No, whatever it is, it will be creative and fulfilling.� Jesus told a story about the kingdom of God.� Various servants were given so many talents to use.� When the "king" of that kingdom came back and saw what each had accomplished with their talents, he gave them cities to rule over.� This hints that we are on trial here so that, perhaps in the next world, Jesus will give us some kind of realms to rule over with him.� Does this sound exciting to you?� Does it sound worth trying for?� Will you?
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