Saturday, July 21, 2012

Top of the Top

He grew up in Palestine – actually in Kerioth, a small town some 20 miles south of Jerusalem. From his earliest years he excelled in numbers, especially in financial transactions.

Simon, his father, had to be amazed at him when he suddenly left the Jewish faith he had been raised in, to follow an itinerant preacher named Jesus. This preacher was not only from a distant northern city, Nazareth, but he also bragged that he was Jehovah’s son.

Why would he leave his family and a promising career? He was at the top of the top in what he did best – money management. But the preacher saw in this young man, one who would help him establish the largest organization in world history – the church. As one of the Twelve he was above hundreds and thousands of promising achievers.

But in an instant, one of the mysteries of life occurred, an event that has been summarized by an eye-witness historian in four words, “Satan entered into him.” [John 13:27]  From that moment history changed – by one satanic-controlled man. We know the rest of the story very well.

He grew up in California – actually in San Diego – in a well-tended enclave of two-story homes. He excelled in science, especially in neuroscience. Robert, his father – a software company manager – had to be amazed at his son’s scientific advancements in college, with unlimited potential. But inner demons gnawed at the character of this promising achiever, and won. In hindsight, the chancellor of his California University said, “He was at the top of the top.”

One of the mysteries of Americans today is far from being understood or summarized. In a devilish two-month plan this acclaimed student became the Batman villain – for real – in a Colorado theater on the opening night of “The Dark Knight Rises.” From the moment the horror exploded in that packed theater history took an ugly turn. And, we only begin to learn the full story.

One story we do know is encapsulated in that itinerant preacher who truly was, and is, and forever will be Jehovah’s son. His love took a traitor’s disgusting betrayal and turned it into the greatest story ever told – the top of the top – changing vile nations and inhuman criminals like no other man. We can attest to that love and grace and power, because he changed us to be his children, and eternally with him, at the top of the top. Today we move beyond horror and anticipate splendor.

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