Even Unto Death (the story)
Even Unto Death – it’s out today.
In a world filled with death—in a world where death is both the weapon and the wound—my faith is shaken, challenged.
You must remember that night, months ago, when I saw the video of those twenty one precious Egyptian men kneeling on a Mediterranean beach.
You remember them, don’t You? They, in their orange jumpsuits, prisoners of the black-clad soldiers standing behind them?
I stared at the procession…and I knew that I was looking into the sickening, quaking black hole that is Death.
“A message signed with blood to the nation of the Cross”, read the text.
I shivered as I had never shivered—my blood ran cold in my veins.
“Blessings and peace be upon the one sent by the sword,” their veiled leader said, his knife poised.
The captives prayed, their lips moving silently, their eyes closed or raised to the heavens.
What were they whispering, in those last, fast-fading moments of their lives? Were they afraid?
What did they say to the God who is beside, before, and behind them?
The soldiers stood stock still in the wind, knives at the ready.
Then, they cut through flesh, vein and bone—their merciless blades attempting to assuage the hunger of Death.
But Death cannot be satiated—
The men wielding the knives (precious also, though they do not know it) are the prisoners of Death.
The twenty one men that they beheaded are miraculously, blessedly free.
This is the Great Paradox of Christianity. “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.”
I have to believe that these twenty one martyrs are each in the kingdom of Light, interceding for their executioners.
“Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy,” I thought desperately.
I could not help but weep, and hard. But by some small miracle I did not despair.
I only thought “What would I pray, if it were me kneeling on that beach?”
Jesus, the very thought of You, it fills my heart with love.
Jesus, You burn like wildfire and I am overcome.
Lover of my soul, even unto death;
with my every breath I will love You.
Jesus, You are my only hope, and You my prize shall be.
Jesus, You are my glory now, and in eternity.
Lover of my soul, even unto death;
with my every breath I will love you.
In my darkest hour, in humiliation:
I will wait for You—I am not forsaken.
Though I lose my life—though my breath be taken:
I will wait for You—I am not forsaken.
One thing I desire—to see You in Your beauty:
You are my delight—You are my glory.
You, my Sacrifice—Your love is all-consuming:
You are my delight—You are my glory.
Lover of my soul, even unto death;
with my every breath I will love you.
annaxmalina
dededos
stormborns
