Escape

II Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Years he’d spent shackled and restrained within inescapable walls.  Occasionally he would be released for short stints of joyous reprieve within the courtyard.  Each short reprieve came with a certain payment.  Every stint intensified captivity.  He’d never expected to spend his life in bondage, but that was life.  He had begun with an eternity of bonded debt.  He would never escape the situation he was in!  Every trip back from the courtyard left him at an all time low.  Lying shackled in his cell and thinking of the price to be paid for the reprieve he had just enjoyed always caused him guilt, shame, and self criticism.  He felt guilty because he gave in to the desire to indulge himself in some new fantasy; shame because he enjoyed the experience at the expense of future pain; and criticism for his lack of control.  Would he ever escape this catch 22?

Others were in the same boat as he.  Often he encountered these others within the confining walls.  This happened at muster.  Muster was only called at the request of the inmates.  The call for muster came with the same price.  In one way they policed themselves in their desire for comradeship, in another they gained a desperate sharing of misery.  Again, the joy came with the price of debt; each one paid the individual price for corporate events.  The principle is clear that whether a corporate or individual indulgence, every individual had to pay.

From time to time the inmates discovered some of the others missing.  It became clear there was a way of escape.  It was rumored that someone had paid the debt and they could all have a bought freedom.  All they had to do was listen for the call and heed.  Oh, so easy.  Some said all were called, some declared only a few.  He thought he’d heard the call once or twice, but wasn’t sure because he had ignored it. 

Did they deserve this bondage, and if not, why did they anticipate and demand it by their very existence?  How could another pay the price all were steadfastly losing ground trying to pay.  Is it freedom to ignore, resist, and refuse the call while enslaved and in bondage?  Or, is it pride and foolishness which convinces people they can save themselves through their own strength?  Who would refuse pardon but the proud and foolish of heart? 

There would be no denying any other call.  His was a losing battle.  Everyone was losing.  Not one inmate was gaining real liberty, only short reprieves of heavy price.  He was lost in this battle.  There was no future in his present plan.  He needed help.  Wouldn’t anyone help?

He did not know the man standing in the exit portal of the prison, but there was a definite difference to His presence.  Then it became clear.  The man threw a different shadow than normal.  The man’s shadow fell on the ground in the shape of a cross.  It was as though the inmate’s eyes had suddenly opened.  He’d never noticed an exit portal.  It was curious how it resembled an open tomb.  As he looked, other things became apparent.  This man was more than just any other man.  The inmate’s newly opened eyes could see the scars in the man’s hands and feet and a rugged, almost reassembled, look to His facial features.  Then the inmate heard the call.  There was no hesitation, no waiting, and no second thoughts before he ran and fell at the Master’s feet.  Jesus Christ lifted him from the ground, and simply said, “Follow me”.

Escape!  He had escaped.  Everything was going to be great.  The released prisoner followed after Jesus…

Where had he gone wrong?  His eyes were failing him.  Distance was impossible and looking close was like looking through a dark fog.  He’d been looking around for months trying to find God.  Every now and again he’d catch a glimpse of a beloved footprint and scramble after it.  But somehow further signs and wonders eluded him.  Wasn’t he supposed to be working off a great burden?  There was an itch inside his mind which alluded to a life of unbearable pressure to pay an impossible debt.  Maybe he should call for help?  No, he could figure it out on his own. 

The walls around him seemed familiar and the shackled humanity an echo from another time.  They didn’t flee or ask any questions.  He was just as they were in their eyes; another inmate caught in an impossible situation.  As he shuffled from one end of the courtyard to the other his feet would step into and over a constantly shifting shadow. 

II Peter 1:4-9

Had his eyes not been blinded he would have noticed the shadow of the cross as Jesus walked beside him.