Part X: 

The Revolutionary

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     My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other. 

~John 15:12-17

     Sarah recognized the enemy behind it all and refused the intoxicating drink. Feeling more confident now she leaned in and said, "Can't you see what is happening?! You’re under the wrong influence!"

     For a brief moment she thought she was getting through to him and was about to say more when another young man stepped in between them and interjected, "Jim, she's just out here spying on us and trying to steal our liberty."

     Sarah watched in disbelief as the young man’s face became distorted. Then, in what she could only describe as rage he muttered, "You're just like the rest of them, you just want to control us and keep us bound. Isn’t that right? Well, we won't be made into robots like them, we can think for ourselves. Next you'll tell me that God wants us rich with material possessions. Lady, I’ve lived on the other side and heard those lies before. One time I thought it was true but my eyes have been opened. We’ve been delivered from the lies and influence of our neighbors and won’t be bound again. Our mission is to take them down!"

     All eyes were now fixed on her as if she were the enemy. Some in the crowd then turned to a pile of branches and she watched in horror as the branches became arrows and spears in their hands.  Others chose stones to stone her.   

     Sarah shook her head and said, "No, I'm not your enemy, you don't understand…"  Her eyes then widened as she caught sight of a drink in her left hand.  In her right hand was a branch that began turning into a large, rugged nail.  In horror she thought, My God, this looks like the nail that crucified our Lord. 

     How did they get there?  Have I come that close to partaking?

     In shock and disgust she threw them to the ground and spoke again, yet this time her words were no longer angry but filled with the remorse and grief inside her heart, "The revolution Jesus called us to is to love," came her disheartened plea but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.  Then as the angry mob came within striking distance she cried out, "Jesus!" fearing what would happen next.

     Before she knew it someone had lifted her off the ground and carried her over their shoulder walking straight through the crowd.  As they made their way out she watched another man enter the scene to deal with them. Sarah watched in horror as half the crowed turned on him while the others began to pierce each other.  That quickly officers descended on the scene and began to make arrests.

     Shaken by what had taken place she then began to weep.  When her rescuer had taken her a safe distance from the scene he then put her down and she found herself standing before JC.  It was he who had come to her rescue once again.

     "We've got to do something," she cried out through her tears.

     JC looked at her with such understanding, compassion, and...

     She then heard him say, "I have yet to call you to this here Sarah, this isn't your burden to bear. If you want to help and are willing, I have a place in mind for you."

     What was it about this man that could calm her world with just a few words? Sarah asked herself when she heard another familiar voice calling her name and turned to see Alex running their way.

     "It's alright Sarah," JC continued, "Go in peace knowing I take others through what I have called them to do."  His words were reassuring yet she couldn't help but note the pain in his voice.  He then turned and headed back in the direction of the crowd.

     "Are you alright?" Alex asked when he had reached her. "I came as fast as I could."

     "Oh, it was awful..." she cried, "but I'm not hurt. JC carried me out of there.  How did you find me?  How did you know I was here?"

     "JC called and said you needed help."  Alex then grew angry as he asked, "What are you doing here?!"

     "I…I don't know.  I've just been intrigued by this place. I've made a mess of things, haven't I?  Please don't be angry."

     As she spoke her distress visibly rose and Alex then softened, "You misunderstand my anger, it's not directed at you.  I hate to see what’s happening here.  It's hard to see how the enemy has taken advantage of their wounds and turned them against us."  He then inquired, "How did you get here? Your bike is still in the shop."

     "My car, it's parked over there."

     "Well let’s pick it up and get going."

     As they made their way out of the subdivision Sarah’s eyes once again grew moist with tears.  "Oh Alex, I feel so awful…and how they turned on that man."

     The look he shot her conveyed the fact that he understood her pain, "We've all had our share of scars here Sarah, Reuben will be fine.  As you so aptly put it regarding our road incident, it happens.  I don't know the details of what took place back there but I do know that at times it isn't about what we intentionally did wrong, but may be more about being lost in our own world that we may miss others in traffic with us.  Either way, there's God's grace to help see us through."

     Sarah nodded, understanding the analogy, "I think it was a bit of both," she replied, then recalling the drink and rugged nail she drew in a deep breath and her voice became a whisper, "I came so close...I was just so saddened by what I saw happening and before I knew it I seemed to be getting sucked into it all...I was just trying to help, but somehow I seem to keep making things worse." 

     Now it was he that gave her an understanding nod.  Sarah then turned to him and asked, "You know that man then?”

     "Sure, Reuben and I both work for JC, we do the upkeep on this place. That’s his area of responsibility, but we do work together, helping each other out when needed.  He's a wonderful brother in Christ." Alex then pulled over and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"  

     Distracted by the utility workers who were now on the ground, Sarah didn't answer him right away.  Instead her brows furrowed as she watched them huddled in a corner still laughing at some inside joke.

     After a moment she then turned to give Alex her undivided attention, "Just a light breakfast before church."

     "I was about to grab a bite myself before the call came through. Why don’t we get out of here and find a place to eat where we can discuss what happened more thoroughly..."  His voice grew softer now feeling unsure of himself, "That is...if you'd like?”

     She nodded in agreement and they were on their way. 

Part XI:  Reuben