Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Valley (08/10/06)
-
TITLE: Totally Like New | Previous Challenge Entry
By Brenda Kern
08/16/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx John 18:1-2, NIV
"Dude, like, why did He do that?"
"Excuse me?"
"If He knew, fer shurr, that Judas was going to betray Him, and where, why did He cross that valley?"
The Bible study leader smiled. "Many reasons. Why do you think He did that?"
Hair flopped forward, then back as the young man thought hard. "Well, He was no space cadet. He knew what was coming if He crossed the valley, right?"
"Yes, you are correct. He was both man and God, and He knew everything then and still does. That's called 'omniscience.'"
"Omniscience. Totally gnarly word, Dude."
"Yes, um, it's a good word. Gnarly, even."
"Still, though, He could have NOT gone there and established a crankin' kingdom. He was, like, all, powerful to the max. The disciples were totally ready for Him to do that, and thought it would be AWESOME!"
"When we've been reading the Bible together, and the disciples got caught up in worldly things instead of heavenly things, how did Jesus react? Do you remember?"
"He got, like, totally bummed. He couldn't believe they were so lame about what He was trying to teach them. Sometimes He even kinda copped a 'tude with them. Like, this one time, like, He goes, 'Are you still so dull?' Dude! Jesus was never bogus, huh?"
"No, never bogus. So, He knew what would happen and crossed the Kidron Valley anyway. Any more thoughts on the matter?"
"Not only did He know that Judas would be betray Him, He also knew what was next, and it was gonna be heinous, man, heinous. He was looking straight down the barrel of a horrible death. Crucifixion. Dude. If it was really like in that movie, it was, like, totally grody."
His voice softened and lowered as he continued. "He did it anyway. Rad. Way rad."
The teacher leaned in. "Why? Why would anyone do that? What have we seen over and over again in the Bible? What's the big central message we've been talking about?"
He smacked his forehead. "I'm such an airhead. Duh. It's that love thing, that 'For God so loved the world...' thing. Right?"
"The love thing. General, or specific?"
"What?"
"Does God love the world in general, or...?"
"You mean, like, He loves a nerdy dude like me? Specifically? Enough to die for me?
"DUDE! That is totally TUBULAR! I get it now. EXCELLENT! In fact, I'm gonna go fer it--I'm going to, like, give Him my heart. Then we can walk through the valleys together, man, always together! I am so jazzed!"
So they prayed, and the dude became a new member of the family of God.
"Heaven is celebrating right now--do you know that?"
"Party hearty, Dude. Party on."
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
And thank you for taking me on that oh so interesting walk down memory lane (yes, I grew up in "that" valley!). This was SO fun, and such an amazingly well-crafted testimony! It's all in there! Loved it!