Dr. G.D.
James
It was a
few minutes before dawn. While the
rest of the world was wrapped in slumber, Death, man’s greatest enemy, was
wide awake. An ugly smile played
upon his impish lips as he carefully surveyed his slaves from the vantage point
of his throne. His eyes scanned the
faces of Unbelief, Doubt, Fear, Worry, Pain, Desire, and Disease – all
faithful servants who had ardently and fanatically helped him to usher millions
of people into the kingdom of gloom. Death
seemed immensely pleased with himself as he heard the groanings, weepings, and
wailings which emerged from the four corners of the earth.
He looked fondly at his favorite slave, Doubt.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door and Unbelief dashed into the room – petrified.
“Master!” he cried, prostrating himself before Death. “All is lost! We are going to be destroyed!”
“Come, come,” said Death coolly and coaxingly. “What is all the fuss about? Do not you know that we have never been defeated since the world began? Do not forget that I rule and none dare resist me.”
“Master! But now …,” blurted out Unbelief, with a pathetic sob.
“But now, what?” demanded Death, somewhat impatient.
“Who or what is the enemy that defies us now?”
“It’s this man, Jesus.”
“Not the carpenter’s son?”
“Yes, Him! He said He would destroy us!”
“I know He made some wild claims about rising from the dead, but I do not believe a word of it. No one has ever been able to do that. What makes you think He will succeed? In any case, He is gone and is under our sway. There is no chance that He will succeed.”
“Well,” said Unbelief with a tremble, in spite of his Master’s reassurance. “He is the first one to make such daring claims. I just wondered if there’s a chance that He …”
“Nonsense!” retorted Death with triumph. “The trouble with you is that you are too imaginative. Do not you know that He was crucified only two days ago?” Have you ever heard of anyone surviving a crucifixion? And His putrefying body is now lying in a tomb, vigilantly guarded by soldiers. No! He can never stir from the tomb. Never!”
“N … no?”
“Well then, stop looking so miserable and get to work. The dawn is breaking.”
“Yes, Master.”
But even as Unbelief spoke, there was a blinding flash, and Death fell to the ground. His slaves watched in horror as he choked, clawed at his throat, and then was still. They rushed to his side and tried to revive him, but there was no response.
“He’s dead!” Doubt wailed, with the others mournfully chiming in, “Our Master Death is dead. And it’s all that man Jesus’ fault!”
Postscript:
As Unbelief, Doubt, Fear, Worry, Pain, Desire, and Disease mourned the
loss of Death, (their fallen angel), Lucifer suddenly appeared….
“What is the matter with you!” he screamed, “we are at war and this is only our first casualty – this is not defeat! If you do not want the same fate, then abide in me! Unbelief, you are my most useful messenger. Get to work! Doubt, Worry, you are next. All of you – you are my army! Keep these pathetic creations busy and focused on anything but Jesus, and they will forget what happened today! We will win! – I do not lie!”
“..but Master ….” Doubt said …..