A Place In the Wilderness

“Yet, there is even more. As beautiful as the creation around us is, and as wonderful as our lives with each other are, and as glorious as the sons of God shine, there is the One—the King in Jerusalem. We all have seen him year-by-year when we present ourselves before him at the Passover. His glory is the glory of glories—there is no one like him. He shines so brightly that were it not for him sustaining and uplifting us, not a one of us could behold him. The shining of that glory illuminates us, enlightening our hearts and minds. It uncovers any hidden root of sin and continually heals us from our fallen nature that is still within us. His virtue is unspeakably pure; his brilliance unimaginably bright; his richness inconceivably full; his kindness unbearably touching. When we see him, behold him—who he is, how he is—we are brought back to the path. We are healed from any error. We see the way—the way to the ultimate glory ahead.

“His beauty is unrivaled; of all the sons of God, he is the chiefest. We cannot help but bow down and confess him, not because of some force upon us, but by the truth of who he is and of what he has done, by his person and his station. He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to him.

“His words are like rivers of clear crystal, like pure and transparent gold flowing forth to us. They give us life and freedom. When he speaks, it is as if a river of God himself is coming forth to meet us, heal us, fill us, and encompass us.

"And his words are forever. They never pass away. I remember even now with tears of joy, thankfulness, appreciation, and love the words he spoke to us—the Blessed—the first time we met with him.” Within himself Greapa repeated them, Come, blessed of My Father, into the kingdom. Greapa turned to Greama and said, “Do you remember?” Greama nodded with a mixed look—trepidation, relief, joy, and love—somehow shaping her face.

"And what of his name. His name! The name above all names—Jesus. It is like an ointment poured forth, bringing healing, rest, and love. It is a balm to the weary. It brings life, health, and joy to all of us. How often do we all utter that name!

“Recall what he has done. Nearly 3000 years ago he died for us all—not only for us, but for all men and even the whole creation. It is due to him and what he has accomplished that we are all here today. Is there a single one who rivals him? Bless him!” Greapa gazed at the faces around him, all filled with awe at the King as they acknowledged these truths with nodding heads.

Then Greapa asked with his powerful voice, “In all of this, what do we see? What do we see?” Two bold young men stood and declared almost in unison, “We see God!”

Greapa smiled broadly with inward satisfaction. “Yes! We see God—God through his creation, God by the peace on Earth, God in his many sons, and God in and as the King—Jesus.”

Greapa waited for his words to settle into the hearts around him. He glanced at Greama and said with a voice that was somewhat troubled, though that was barely noticeable, “But it was not always so . . . ” He turned, nodded toward his eldest son, and sat.

Chapter 1, pages 10-11