Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Escape (01/02/06)
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TITLE: The Great Escape (ii) | Previous Challenge Entry
By David Story
01/06/06 -
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...His thoughts are quickly interrupted by a different kind of sound. A voice. 'The' voice. He quietly moves, inching his way toward the sound. The movement of his feet disturbs the flow of the night, interrupting the wonderful ‘night noises’ he only moments ago feared, a fear that now he can hardly recall, and as he makes his way closer to the voice his fear lessens even more, and then diminishes altogether.
Just in ear shot now, and not wanting to go further, yet longing to be a part of this scene, he stops in his tracks and strains his ear to listen.
“Father, I seek rest. Not the kind the world seeks, for I know the only kind that will suffice is the rest I find in you. The people, they are many. They have needs that I cannot meet without you, without this time together. Restore me. Renew me. And help me Father, to teach the others this. To teach them how important it is to escape…to get away, to spend time with you.”
He makes too much noise as he leans his body against a nearby tree.
“Peter?”
A heavy sigh, he did not want to be found out. “Yes Master, it is I.”
“Come. Sit with me.”
Peter walks slowly over to Jesus, and sits down beside Him, crossing his legs like the Master’s.
“So you heard?”
“I heard.”
“It is what you expected?”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Peter.” His voice seems agitated.
Right. How can he fool Him? “Okay, I thought there might be more. Some kind of secret you possess. Perhaps a great energy you tap into when you come up here alone.” He laughs nervously. “Thomas says you have some kind of potion, and you get away by yourself at night and administer it.” The laugh turns into a whisper as he leans into the Master. “You don’t, do you…have some potion?”
This causes the Master to laugh, but it fades quickly into the night air. “Peter. What did you see today?”
Peter takes his time; questions from the Master can be…complicated. “People being taught, fed, healed…saved.”
“Miracles?”
This time he doesn’t hesitate. “Yes. Miracles.”
“I tell you this my friend. What you see, what you hear, greater things than these will you accomplish. Do you know why?”
Another question. This time he has no answer.
Jesus answers for him. “Because I go to the Father.”
Silence now as Jesus lets the statement sink in.
At last Peter gets it, understands the meaning, at least the meaning for this moment, this lesson. “And I must go to the Father as well.”
Jesus nods his head. “Yes Peter, yes. You must spend time alone with Him.” He puts his arm around the disciple. “Spend time alone with me. Pray without ceasing, telling everything you desire. If you do this, with thanksgiving…and praise, and asking in my name, the Father will hear you…and He will answer…He will come.”
“Escape.” The word hangs in the night air.
“Yes Peter, escape. The world is a crowded place and you must get away by yourself, to make a difference to others.”
Peter leans back against a large rock, contemplating the Master’s words. Suddenly a peace overcomes him like he has never before experienced.
Jesus, picking up on it, voices Peter’s thought for him. “And the peace that surpasses all understanding…”
“...will be mine, as I trust in you.”
Peter looks at the Master and smiles. Jesus smiles.
Lesson over.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
- Matthew 14:23 (KJV)
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