A SAINT IN SIN CITY

MASON MAXWELL

CHAPTER 3

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, CONVERTING THE SOUL (Psalm 19:7)

“Maybe we ought to reconsider things,” Beth had told me on the day before I left our hometown for my second season in pro ball. Her large brown eyes either looked sympathetic, pleading, or angry, I couldn’t tell which.

“Suit yourself,” I shrugged, my male pride and ego not wanting to let on that my heart was breaking.

“Suit myself?” she spit, pushing a long strand of her dark brown hair behind an ear, and then crossing her arms defiantly. “You’re the one that just confessed infidelity. You should be on your knees pleading, not acting like some arrogant big shot, who’s really just a little shot, and probably always will be.”

“But like I said, I never had sex with them, they had sex with me,” I lamely defended.

“Oh, okay,” she replied sarcastically. “Let’s remain a couple then, and whenever you feel the urge, go ahead, and let some floozy have sex with you. As long as you don’t have sex back. Is that the way it works?”

“Beth, I’m just trying to be honest with you. I screwed up, okay? I love you, and I didn’t want a lie of omission between us.”

“Fine,” she said smugly, and with a shrug. “You take care of your needs, and I’ll take care of my needs.”

“Beth,” I soothed.

“Don’t Beth me,” she whimpered, and then began to cry. “I was faithful to you, but not anymore. You want to let women have sex with you, as you put it. Well, I’ll let men have sex with me then. I guess this is what I get for giving it up before marriage. I thought we were in love though.”

“We are,” I tried.

“We are not,” she declared through clenched teeth. “If you’re in love, you don’t fool around with other people. You don’t let them have sex with you.”

I didn’t know what to say, and she asked me to leave. I left town the next day to start the baseball season in high A Cedar Rapids. I hated not knowing if we were truly broken up or not. So I tried texting her.

“Beth do you forgive me? I love you.”

“I love you too. And I do forgive you… But.”

I waited ten minutes for more, but nothing was forthcoming, so I tried. “But what?”

“I need time to sort out our conversation, and your confession.”

“So are we still a couple?”

“I would like that, and I hope so. But I, we, need time to sort things out.”

“Okay, what does that mean?”

“It means I would still like to see you. But I think we should be free to see other people.”

“Are you saying we should have an open relationship?”

“Is that what it is? We aren’t married or even engaged. I just didn’t know the rules. Thanks for setting me straight yesterday.”

“Beth don’t be like that.”

“Like what? You’re now free to mess around with baseball groupies. And I’m going on a date with a guy I work with.”

I felt sick. Beth was a pretty brunette with plenty of male admirers. She was also feisty enough to call up one of the many guys who had shown interest in her. My only comfort was in her fairly strong moral code. We dated for almost a year before I persuaded her to go all the way. So I doubt she would give it up for a guy right away. Or would she?

She had been saving herself for marriage. But her nominal Christian boyfriend wore her down. He sold her on love, commitment, what their peers were doing, and the assurance that they would one day marry. So what was to stop her? She was no longer a virgin, and I knew part of her wanted to even the score.

“I don’t want to. I wouldn’t have confessed my transgression if I did.”

She didn’t reply, and I gave up, uncertain of our relationship status. How ironic. Beth and I started out as a wholesome Christian couple. But I wasn’t as committed to Christ as she. Yet I was blind to what I should have been. Lack of prayer, and time spent in the Word of God, wore down my principles. My desires were of the flesh, not of the Spirit, and Beth had great flesh. Now as I made the lonesome journey a couple hundred miles south, I found myself grieving the loss of my girl, and why? Because I let Saul Sallie manipulate my conscience with his.

Baseball gossip claimed that Saul was done. I knew he wasn’t at the winter league due to a bad injury. Well, good for me. I wouldn’t have to ever see him again. And good for him. If we ever did cross paths, I would tell him off but good. Maybe even punch his big nose.

So imagine my surprise on the first day of spring training, I hear a familiar voice that came from a good natured grin. “Hey Maxwell.”

“Sallie,” I couldn’t help but grin back as we fist bumped. Not only did I not punch his big nose, I didn’t tell him off. At first anyway. “I heard you were out of baseball. Tore up your rotator cuff really bad or something.

“Naw,” he laughed. “Who told you that?”

“I’m not sure, but I thought that was why you weren’t at winter league.”

“No, last game of the season, I took a line drive to my foot, and broke it three places. But I’m fine now, how about you?”

“I’m good,” I tried, but I could feel my face fall.

“Yeah?” Saul replied skeptically.

“Well, as good as can be. My girl and I had a spat right before I left for here.”

“I see,” he said, and forced a smile.

Irritation rose within me. “Yeah, I took your advice, and it went over like a concrete balloon.”

“My advice? I haven’t seen you in eight months.”

“Well, you’re the one that put it in my head to come clean about, you know, messing around with other women.”

“So that’s my fault? I gave you my opinion, not instructions. Besides, if you just recently told her, the statue of limitations has run out on me being any part of the blame. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “It is what it is.”

“So she broke up with you?”

I shrugged again. “Don’t know for sure. But she did say we should both be free to see other people while I play baseball.”

Saul winced. “Once again, sorry, man.”

“How about you? Do you have a special someone now?”

“Naw,” he replied with a shrug, and a little smile. It was as if he somehow knew love was right around the corner.

It was a couple weeks later when I noticed Marcella for the first time. What a babe! Blonde hair, big blue eyes, pouty lips, a lithe physique. It wasn’t long before I detected something more than friends between Marcella and Saul. But low and behold, when I inquired about her, Saul shrugged it off and said she was some type of relative.

Then a few weeks later, with wonder in his eyes, and a goofy little grin, he tells me that Marcella isn’t a blood relative, and that he was in love with her. It wasn’t long after that when I got to know her myself. She was easy to talk to, and after she heard my tale of love and heartbreak, she showed up a couple days later, with Beth.

I don’t know if Marcella was some type of inspiration to Saul, but he was pitching very well, and two months into the season, they were gonna move him up to double A. But then he did something that blew all of our minds. I overheard most of his conversation with our manager.

“What’s up, son?” asked the manager.

“Sir, I won’t be available on Friday evenings or Saturdays anymore,” Saul Sallie said.

There was a long pause as the manager took this in. “You what?”

Saul repeated his statement.

“Is this some type of health issue?”

“No, it’s a spiritual issue.”

“How’s that?”

“It’s my Sabbath.”

“Your Sabbath? Are you Jewish?”

“No Sir.”

“Every week?”

“Yes Sir.”

“How come you are just now demanding not to play?”

“It’s new light I’ve received.”

“What kind of light? You into aliens or something?”

I stifled a laugh before Saul openly chuckled and replied. “No Sir, Bible light, truth.”

“I see, so why Friday night and Saturday, and not Sunday?”

“Have you ever read the Ten Commandments, Sir? From Exodus chapter 20?”

“I know the Ten commandments, but I can’t quote them verbatim.”

“Well, if you look at verses eight through eleven, you’ll see that the Sabbath that God blessed and made holy was the seventh day, not the first day of the week.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don’t have time for any Bible mumbo jumbo right now. Look kid, you have a promising career ahead of you. I’ve been around baseball a long time, and if I was a betting man, I’d bet you’ll not only make it to the bigs, but barring injuries, have a long lucrative career. Don’t blow it by making ridiculous demands when you haven’t completely proven yourself yet. I’ll let you in on a little secret. You’re gonna be called up to double A before the week’s over. If you stick to your guns on this, you’ll be stuck here for a good long while.”

“But you’ll work with me on it?” Saul asked hopefully.

“Yeah, I’ll schedule your pitching around your, ah, Sabbath. But if you’re serious about this, I’ll have to inform the powers that be above me. And at a minimum, they aren’t gonna be happy about it.”

“So be it.”

And so it was. I don’t know whether the Lord truly was with Saul, or whether it was just natural progression that would have happened anyway, but he pitched lights out. He was virtually unhittable for the first six innings every time he pitched. He struck out more than half the batters he faced. Forget about double, and even triple A, most of us thought he should be in the bigs now.

But like the skipper predicted, he didn’t move up as fast as he should have. Yet he couldn’t have been happier spending most of the season in Cedar Rapids. You see, the love of his life resided there. In more ways than one.

A SAINT IN SIN CITY

MASON MAXWELL

CHAPTER 3

MERCY AND TRUTH HAVE MET TOGETHER (Psalm 85:10)

I have never had a relationship where I had so much in common, yet at the same time was so vastly different than with Saul Sallie. In the beginning, the nucleus of our relationship was baseball, but over time the core of our bond would evolve to spiritual. We loved each other like the brother’s we never had. Yet our friendship was volatile enough to cause the media to paint a false drama that wasn’t even there. That was never realized more prominently than by that fateful World Series.

These are the key things we had in common. We were both the only teammates drafted by Minnesota that were native Minnesotans. We were both pitchers. We were both traded to Las Vegas when we were in Triple A. We both grew up in rural settings, with Saul somewhere between Minneapolis and the Iowa border, and with me northeast of Duluth just a couple miles from lake Superior.

We both had older sisters that were superior athletes, and daddy’s favorite. We both accepted Christ as our Savior as teenagers. We both decided that if we were drafted past the eighth round we would go to college instead of playing pro ball. We were each other’s best men at our weddings. I guess the media ignored this when they tried to make us out to be enemies.

However, there were some key things that made Saul and me like oil in water, and they all had spiritual ramifications. Saul practiced his faith, and I say to my shame, I only professed faith. Saul grew in his spiritual journey, and was diligent in daily devotions. I was big on grace, and once saved always saved, and only cracked my Bible on Sundays. That is, if I remembered to take it to church.

So once again to my shame, I enjoyed some carnal pleasures, with God as some type of insurance policy, I guess. I wasn’t too wild, comparatively speaking. I partied with teammates, but never got drunk or out of control. Maybe a bit silly sometimes. Although I had premarital sex with my girlfriend, we eventually married. Once again to my shame, I did fool around a few times with baseball groupies, but never “went all the way.”

It was after I hooked up with a baseball groupie for the first time, that Saul and I came to verbal blows for the first time. Actually I came to verbal blows due to a guilty conscience. I suppose it was like a ‘Tell Tale Heart.’ I thought Saul saw me with her. I thought the next day he was giving me the cold shoulder. But it was only my guilty conscience making me paranoid. Then mad. Then without realizing it, confessing my sin as I confronted Him.

We had just left a team prayer meeting. I sauntered up next to Saul as we left, gave his shoulder just enough of a nudge so he would know it wasn’t friendly, and glared at him. “You have a problem with me?”

“Should I?” he asked calmly, yet staring hard into my eyes. It caused anger in me to rise, yet I couldn’t return his stare, and I averted my gaze.

“I saw your raised eyebrows when I got into that woman’s car after the game,” I said defiantly, as my ego gave me the will to look at him again.

“What woman?” he asked innocently.

“You know very well what woman.”

“I do? What’s her name?”

“Jill,” I spit, then frowned. “No, Jen. Something with a J anyway.”

“Wow, your bond was so special, names were irrelevant,” he said with a smirk, and crossed his arms. Saul is no dummy. He instantly perceived what was going on.

“Look dude, we’re over a thousand miles from home. Forgive me for not being the stoic holy roller you are. I’m not content just sitting in my room and reading, I need socialization. Jill, or Jen, or Jan, or whatever her name is, was a nice gal. After the excitement of the game, I simply forgot what she said when she introduced herself. We had nice time, a nice visit.”

“My bad,” he smiled, and shook his head. “I owe you an apology. I assumed by your attitude that you had sex with her, and were now lashing out at me due to a guilty conscience.”

My jaw clenched. “We talked, and yes, kissed, and then she, well, had sex with me. I didn’t ask, or even persuade her. It just, you know, happened.”

“Oh, I see. So I imagine you’ll tell your girl, Beth, isn’t it? About your one night friend?”

“Look man,” I tried, but the wind was absent from my angry sails. Some of us in low A were still teenagers, including Saul and me. A couple who wouldn’t give up their dream were in their mid-twenties. The rest were in their early twenties. The vast majority would have been hooting, and back slappy me, and saying “way to go.” As a pro ball player, it was easier than for most guys to get a casual hook up. But it wasn’t the major league yet either.

Saul’s patient words kept echoing in my head. “Beth, isn’t it? Beth, isn’t it?”

I was breathing harder than after a sprint down to first base. I slapped a hand to my forehead, and quietly said, “Man, did I screw up.”

I had shoved Saul on the shoulder a minute earlier, but he put a gentle hand on mine, and said softly, “The devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“What do I do?”

“If any man sin, we have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous,” he said with a sympathetic smile. (1 John 2:1)

“Right,” I nodded. But that wasn’t necessarily what I was talking about. “But what about Beth? Do I tell her?”

He shrugged. “That’s your call. I’ve never met her, and I don’t know how serious you two are.”

“Very,” I replied. But all he did was nod. So I asked, “What would you do?”

“Well,” he said, and sighed uneasily. “I wouldn’t have a casual hook up in the first place, so I don’t think I can answer that.”

Although his reply was no rebuke, or any type of boast, my pride became indignant. I thought, that’s easy for you to say when your looks are on the order of Howard from the TV show ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ But who was I to judge that? I actually looked more like Sheldon, from said show, than I did Colin Farrell. We were both kind of nerdy looking guys above the shoulders, but lean and athletic below the neck.

“Besides, I don’t have a girlfriend,” Saul shrugged.

I nodded, and thought, of course you don’t Howard. But that would change when he was called up to high A in Cedar Rapids. That’s where he met an incredibly sweet, beautiful young woman named Marcella. I might as well stay on the same TV show. Marcy looked enough like Penny, they could be sisters.

“But if I did have a girlfriend,” Saul continued. “And I gave into temptation. I’d have to confess.”

Of course you would, I thought, but said, “Do you even get tempted with anything?”

“Of course I do,” he chuckled.

“With what?” I challenged.

“I’m prone to all the typical temptations of guys our age,” he said sternly, and with the unspoken message of mind your own business. We hadn’t know each other very long back then, so I respected his privacy.

“Well, I figure what Beth doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” I said boldly, despite my damaged psyche.

“That’s your call,” he replied with the unspoken message he didn’t approve.

“Look, most guys have to take care of carnal needs,” I continued. “If God blessed you with out the desire for sexual release, more power to you. But my needs get overwhelming by times and I have to take care of them one way or another.”

“Have to, or want to?” He asked mildly.

My jaw clenched, and I closed my eyes. I actually prayed. “Lord, help me to not punch your servant on his big nose.”

It worked. I mellowed enough to say, but still with clenched jaw, “Point taken.”

I now wanted away from him, and I wished I’d never see him again. Careful what you wish for, I needed a real friend in my life, and that was Saul Sallie. I just didn’t know it yet.

“Maxwell,” our pitching coach bellowed. “I need to see you in the office.”

Was I in trouble? Was last night’s fun with the manager’s daughter or something? But as soon as I walked into the office, he and the manager were grinning at me.

“Congratulations, you’re moving up to high A,” the manager told me. “Good luck, son.”

“When?” was all I could manage.

“Pack your stuff, your flight leaves in three hours.”

I wouldn’t see Saul again for eight months. Believe it or not, I missed him.

A SAINT IN SIN CITY

Saul Sallie

Chapter 2

IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST THEY ARE A NEW CREATION, OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY, BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. (2 CORINTHIANS 5:17)

I noticed right away that Destiny’s eyes were red rimmed when she answered the door. Yet she greeted me with her typical warm smile, so I simply said, “Hi Dee, I’m meeting Marcella here at two.”

“I’m afraid you’re not, Sweetie,” she replied with a sad countenance.

I gazed at Destiny dumbfounded, not realizing yet that I had been stood up. “Excuse me?”

“Saul,” Destiny began, her lower lip quivering. She tucked a strand of blond hair behind an ear, her fingers trembling slightly. “Marcella doesn’t want to see you anymore. She, um, I don’t know how…”

Destiny put her hands in her face and groaned. Now I started to worry. “Destiny, is Marcella alright?”

She lifted her face from her hands. “Yes and no.”

“I don’t understand, what’s going on?” I pleaded, as my pulse quickened.

“I know you two have only known each other a few weeks,” she said, and sighed. “But she told me today that there is, um, something going on between you two.”

“Mrs. Storm,” I stammered, reverting to Eddie Haskell politeness under duress. “I assure you we’ve done nothing inappropriate. After all we’re cousins, we’re just friends.”

“Mrs. Storm,” she giggled, then became serious. “You know you two aren’t actually blood cousins, right?”

“Huh?”

“For two people so smitten with each other, you haven’t probed too deeply about yourselves,” she almost seemed to scold.

“I’m not.. She’s not… What do you mean she’s not actually my cousin? She’s Brock’s daughter, that makes us some type of cousins.”

“Sweetie, she’s adopted.”

Destiny gave me a minute to corral my stampeding thoughts.  “I don’t get it. Why can’t she see me then?”

“It’s not you. It’s her.”

The classic break up line. But what was there to break up? We had only known each other three weeks, and we were simply friends. Or were we? And why did I feel a strange emptiness welling up in me. “Where is she?”

Destiny ignored my question. “She asked me to explain her situation too you.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

“Brock and I adopted Macella when she was sixteen. She had been a victim of human trafficking.”

Destiny let her words sink in. When they did, I felt bile rise up to my throat. “So she was a prostitute?”

“Not willingly, but yes. She escaped with Oralee.”

“Please don’t tell me little Oralee was prostituted.”

Destiny shook her head emphatically. “No, Marcella escaped with her before the creeps could do any physical harm.”

“That’s good,” I murmured. Then Destiny proceeded to tell me the story of Sevenia’s dream about two girls on the run, Marcella and Oralee’s makeshift fort under an abandoned railroad bridge, and how she, Brock, and Sevenia rescued them.

Destiny told me how Marcella felt she was unworthy of me. She also worried that because of the extreme sexual abuse she experienced, she might never be able to have a normal relationship with a man. She told Destiny it wouldn’t be fair to pursue a relationship with me, and in the end turn frigid. That’s why she wanted to nip our new companionship in the bud.

“I need to see her, Dee.”

“I promised I wouldn’t tell you where she went.”

“Please Dee, I love her,” I said, my voice quivering and I couldn’t stop some tears from popping out of my eyes.

Destiny looked at me with wide, startled eyes. Then she turned her gaze over toward the shop. “Oh look. Her car’s here, and her bike.” Then she looked steadily toward the southwest. “I guess she must have walked somewhere.”

“Thanks, Dee,” I said before I took off in a jog.

“Saul,” she called. I stopped and turned toward her. “You know there is over a hundred acres of timber beyond that field?”

I nodded. “Thanks again.”

Marcella had taken me to these woods once. The deer trails we followed were wide enough to walk, but not quite wide enough for a bike. I had hunch where she might be. We came across a stream where there was a three foot waterfall. The fall, and section of rocks after, made a very soothing rippling  sound. I could tell by the way Marcella sat down, and the dreamy, tranquil look that came over face, that she had been there before.

We sat quiet for a long time before she asked. “Do you know what has three feet and no head?”

Her question took me of guard, and I frowned, but smiled at the absurdity. “I don’t know.”

“A yardstick,” she replied playfully. She had giggled, and I laughed, thinking the way she crinkled her nose was adorable.

As I ran my heart ached recalling that moment in time only a week ago. It hurt like nothing I had ever felt before to realize what a difficult life that sweet, wholesome young woman had before Destiny and Brock took her in.

I was actually a pessimist by nature, but I now optimistically envisioned seeing Marcella by the waterfall, our eyes meeting, and she springing to her feet and happily bellowing, “My love, I knew you’d come for me.”

The first part of this scenario happened. I discovered her right where I had hoped. The second part was just the opposite. Her eyes widened in surprise, she rose to her feet, but instead of running into my arms, she ran away from me.

Now I had just jogged around a mile. So when she took off at a sprint, even though I was technically the professional athlete, she was slowly pulling away. Plus, she was smaller, and could negotiate all of the timber with greater agility than myself. Another point against me was I was trying to talk to her. That didn’t help my wind even a little bit.

I can’t remember exactly what I said, but either it was winning her over, or she was getting tired, for I had gained on her. It was neither. She stopped suddenly and turned. A split second before I saw her tear streaked face and heard the word the two words, “You don’t…” we collided. Worst of all for me, which actually turned out to be best of all, my nose hit her forehead. Hard.

It didn’t break because I’ve got strong bones. But I’m a bleeder. And bleed I did. Blood poured from both nostrils as I sat on the ground and clutched my face. I panted, I groaned, and I panted some more. I had jogged what seemed like a mile, and sprinted for what seemed like ten.

“Oh Sweetie, I’m sorry,” she said as I felt her strong, yet feminine fingers stroking my hair.

Did she call me Sweetie? Of course Destiny had called me Sweetie before also. I was dazed, and didn’t really comprehend her placing some type of cloth over my wound. It was her light blue jacket. When the bleeding subsided, she asked, “Are you alright?”

“I think so,” I squeaked, as I rose to my feet. I looked at her with wide eyes, and a smile played at her lips. I am not a handsome man, I often have thought I look like a frog. But I have been called cute occasionally, and garnered some female attention. More so as my baseball career progressed.

“You poor baby,” she cooed, and kissed my cheek. We both looked startled, then her hands went to her hips. “Did my mom tell you where I went?”

“No, I knew you would be at the waterfall.”

“How?”

“Cause I know you.”

“No you don’t,” she said with angry shake of her head. “No one does. Except God. I don’t even know myself, so how could you possibly know me?”

“Who really knows anyone? But we can know enough to love.”

“Are you saying you love me?” she asked with a challenging glint in her eyes. “We’ve known each other three weeks.”

“Apparently you detected something, or you wouldn’t have run off, and left it to Dee to send me away.”

Her lips pursed, and she frowned, then spat. “Oh, please forgive me. You always looked at me like I’m some virginal princess, but the dark secret revealed shows me to be a whore.”

“No, you’re not!”

“Saul, I can’t change what I was.”

“You were a victim.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I have had sex with grown men before I was even a teenager.”

“Was that your choice?”

“I didn’t run until Oralee motivated me.”

“So you wanted to be in that situation?”

“Of course not!”

“Then you are that virginal princess.”

She frowned some more, but there was an inquisitive, hopeful look in her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“You’re a Christian, right?”

“You know I am.”

“So, do you believe you are a new creation?”

“Yes,” she said meekly.

“Do you believe the past is past, and your present and future are new?”

“Yes, I do, but the past still leaves scars. Deep scars.”

“But you are a virgin in spirit,” I told her. “True, there’s nothing you can do about what was done to your physical body. But like you said, it wasn’t your choice. You were trapped.”

“I’m glad you understand,” she said with a sad smile.

“Good,” I grinned. “So we can quit this nonsense of ending our, um, friendship.”

Her smile quickly faded. “Is that all that has been going on?”

I suddenly felt awkward. “Ah, I, I really don’t know.”

“That’s the problem, I do. I hate to say this, but my dark experiences gave me the ability to read men pretty well. And you don’t behave like a guy that wants to be just friends.”

Remember I told you I get tongued tied around pretty women? Her insinuation made me just that. Then I managed. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Did my mom tell you about my feelings about relationships?”

I told her everything Destiny told me.

“She was vague about the most important part,” Marcella said and then sighed heavily. “Can you turn around? I can’t have you looking at me when I explain. It’s too embarrassing.”

“Um, sure,” I said, and turned my back on her.

“Saul, the last couple weeks you’ve ignited something in me that I’ve never experienced before. I’ve never felt, um, romantic desire, and it frightens me.”

“Why?” I asked turning, excited that I ignited some type of passion in her.

“Turn back around,” she demanded. I did, and she continued, beginning to cry as she did so. “For one thing, I was afraid of what you would think when you found out I was forced into prostitution. For another, I was afraid if our relationship proceeds, and gets to the point of, you know, marriage, that I would be uncomfortable, you know, having sex. So I think it is best to end this thing between us before it gets started.”

She was sobbing now. I turned and put my arm around her shoulder. “The thing is, it already has started, and I don’t want it to end.”

She looked at me and hiccupped. “You need to consider what I said.”

“I already have, and you’re well worth the risk.”

She kissed me feather light on the lips. It was tentative, and sweet. Then she softly wrapped her arms around my neck. In her actions I read her desire and longing for me, for love. I also read the fear and caution she warned me about. I would patiently win her trust.

“I will never leave nor forsake you,” I whispered into her ear.

The whimper she emitted after my words both broke my heart, and made me determined to protect her. I wondered if I should have remained silent. But her hug tightened, and then she kissed me gently on the cheek.

A SAINT IN SIN CITY

WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN (Acts 5:29)

Saul Sallie

Chapter 1

It is not safe to assume that I am like me. That is, my public persona. Sometimes when you are a quiet introvert, people get the wrong idea about who you really are. This is especially true when you are famous. But maybe infamous might more accurately describe my current situation.

I had been maligned, and I have never seen so many false insinuations about me. And why? All because I refused to throw a baseball a certain amount of times over the course of a set time. That set time being game seven of the World Series. This happened to coincide with the Biblical Sabbath ordained by our Creator. And I am a Christian Sabbatarian. Why is this important to me?

You can find the history of creation in Genesis chapter 1 and 2:1-4. You can also find the Sabbath portion of the ten commandments in Exodus chapter 20:8-11. The best way you can find the origin of the Sunday sabbath becoming prominent is by researching Constantine, the Roman ruler who reigned from 306 to 337. When he “legalized” Christianity, the result was the merging of many pagan beliefs into the Christian doctrine.

The most significant addition, I believe, was recognizing the “venerable day of the sun” from sun worship as the sabbath. Up to this point, Christians still honored the Biblical Sabbath. The one obeyed by Jesus, the patriarchs, prophets, disciples, and apostles. Read the book of Acts, especially chapters 13-17, and you will see that the Apostle Paul and others were keeping the Sabbath, not the first day of the week, which is how the Bible usually refers to Sunday. If it was supposedly changed to honor the resurrection (no Biblical proof of this), Jesus had been resurrected many moons ago by the time the events in Acts were taking place.

All this said, God will not hold those accountable who keep Sunday in ignorance. There are millions who are unaware of the history. I was one of them. And like most, I wanted to ignore the truth. But it is the day our Creator told us to remember, not Sunday. God does not change, and His law is perfect, converting the soul. This day He blessed and sanctified recognizes Him as not only our Creator, but our Redeemer.

“He’s a legalist!” mainstream Christianity declared of me.

I guess that’s partially true. I love Jesus, He’s my Lord and Savior, and I follow His teachings with the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit. As a result, I find myself obeying the ten commandment law of God. This is a legal document written in stone by the very finger of God. But the question is motive.

When I walk in accordance with the words of Jesus, “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” am I doing it to be saved, or because I am saved? The first would be legalism. Hopefully, prayerfully, I fall into the later, out of love for my Lord and Savior. But I don’t trust my own heart, it is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? Thankfully, God can, and He loves me more than I ever have loved Him. (See Jeremiah 17:9, 10. And John 14:15 for the words of Jesus)

The first big lie told about me was that Seven Sallie, the polarizing talk show host, was my father. That didn’t take long to get straightened out though. He’s my uncle, my dad’s youngest brother. Another major misconception is that Mason Maxwell and I don’t like each other. The truth is, he’s like a brother to me. And it is true, like brothers, we have fought by times. Unfortunately, a couple times were in front of teammates. I suppose that’s how that gossip turned into media speculation.

A couple lies were about my beautiful wife Marcella. We some times call her Marcy, but the name Marcella means strong warrior. And that’s exactly what she was, and is. Most think she’s a former porn star. Not true since you will find no illicit pictures or videos of her. This falsehood probably stems from her association with former porn star, and now Godly woman, Destiny Knight-Storm.

Another report is that my wife was a prostitute. This is only partially true. The fact is, she was a victim of human trafficking, and sold into sexual slavery as a minor. She heroically escaped with an even younger girl named Oralee during a bitter cold midwestern winter. She was ultimately rescued by my cousin Sevenia, who is Seven’s daughter, Destiny, and her husband Brock Storm. Destiny and Brock ended up adopting the two girls.

Another falsehood is that my wife was instrumental in my Christian conversion. Another partial truth. I gave my life and heart to Jesus at the age of sixteen. But, at the age of nineteen, I temporarily lived with my Uncle Seven. It was the best summer of my life. I was playing minor league baseball in the city he lived about ten miles outside of. It was during this time that I met Marcella and fell deeply in love.

Like I said, she had been adopted by Destiny and Brock. Brock and my Uncle Seven are cousins, and pretty close friends. Brock would also be my dad’s cousin, so that would make him, my cousin once removed. Anyway, I had never met this cousin once removed, but was well aware of his legend as a bodyguard and rescuer.

The very day I took up temporary residence with my Uncle Seven, I met my first cousin once removed. His day job when he wasn’t saving people, was modifying vehicles, and reselling them. That is where I met him for the first time, in his shop.

I am six foot three and quite muscular. But in the presence of Brock Strom, I felt like a child. He was built like a pro wrestler, and I sensed he could easily pick me up and throw me across the room. But his smile was warm and friendly as we shook hands.

I was surprised at how much he looked like my Uncle Seven. Not only more so than my dad, but Seven’s own twin brother, Uncle Six. Six and Seven were my uncles’ actual middle names, and they had gone by them for so long, I wasn’t even sure what their first names were. My dad wasn’t overly close to his  extended family.

I thought the three of us were alone as we stood next to a 1968 Mustang that was on jack stands. Then Brock spoke to someone. “Hey Marcella, can you come out from under there. I want you to meet someone.”

The wheels of a mechanic’s crawler scratched on the concrete floor. A pair of gray and blue stripped coveralls appeared from underneath the Mustang. The head that emerged from the coveralls was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. Even with grease smudged on her face, safety glasses covering her almond shaped eyes, and a blonde ponytail coming out of a baseball cap, she was lovely.

She was surprisingly shy when Brock introduced her as his eighteen year old daughter. I myself have always been tongue tied around girls I found attractive. But there was an element that made me quite relaxed and comfortable. She was some type of cousin, and even if it was in the acceptable distance for blood kin, there was no way I was going to have it being said that my special lady was my cousin.

You see, in the beginning, I didn’t know she was adopted. When I met Destiny, Brock’s wife and Marcella’s mother, they looked enough alike, I only became more ensconced in my belief that we were kinfolk. Destiny had come into the shop from doing yardwork. And like her daughter, she looked stunning despite a shabby wardrobe. She wore an old flannel shirt and baseball cap, but it couldn’t hide her loveliness. Not that she was trying.

Seven told the small group that I was a pro baseball player, and would be staying with him until I got moved, hopefully up to double A and not back down to low A. Destiny had the five us go into the house for refreshments. I asked Marcella about herself, and she gave me vague, self-evasive answers. But then I got out of her that she loved to ride mountain bikes. This was a passion of mine as well. I told her as much.

“Do you want to go ride?” she asked enthusiastically. “We’ve got some great trails only a half mile from here.”

“Oh, I’d love to, but I don’t have a bike with me right now,” I replied.

“You can use mine,” Brock offered.

“Okay, I’d love to,” I grinned.

And that’s how it started with Marcella and me. Just as friends. We thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company, and began spending time with each other whenever we could. She came to my home ball games when I pitched, and we called and texted when I was on the road. There was also an undeniable chemistry between us. I wondered if I should reconsider the cousin thing, and check into the appropriate distance with distant relatives. But then a conversation with Destiny changed everything.

A SAINT IN SIN CITY

PREFACE

In the fictional story that follows, is a tale of two baseball teammates. Their complex relationship comes to a bizarre head during the World Series. Saul Sallie, nephew of Seven Sallie, and Mason Maxwell are both pitchers. Both have dreamed of one day playing in the majors. Both make it in the majors. They even played in the biggest games in baseball, the World Series. One has the best game of his life, and is adored by most. The other becomes both despised by many, and admired by few for refusing to play in a deciding game seven due to religious convictions.

The two men are teammates, yet rivals, who came up through the minors together. They are friends, yet at times, enemies. Both their Christian faith and family are more important to them than baseball. Yet this too is on an opposite spectrum. Saul adheres to the Bible, and the Bible alone. Mason, although reluctant to admit it, adheres to the creeds of man-made theories and traditions.

Since this tale of spiritual struggle and redemption takes place in the not too distant future, I have placed the major league team in Las Vegas. I have heard that Vegas has been wanting a MLB franchise, with Oakland, Tampa, and Cincinnati the most likely teams to possibly move there. One of the reasons I have placed this tale in the near future, is I want to be able to speculate on things happening in the world that will at some point affect both religious liberty and liberty of conscience.

Bible prophecy has warned us of this, and things are certainly brewing in the world along these lines. But only God knows the exact timetable. So the exact time frame is also vague to me the writer, and my speculations are just that. What could happen, not what will happen. Yet God has given us signs of when the end is near. One excellent example are the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 24.

After a brief prologue in the third person, it is my intention to post a chapter every week. Hopefully time restraints allow me to achieve this goal. Mason and Saul will be telling their story in the first person. I may add another person or persons later on. Although I have the basic outline conceived, I do not know where exactly this will be going. But half the fun of writing is seeing where the story takes you. Thanks for your interest!

PROLOUGE

Mason sat on a log outside of Saul Sallie’s empty cabin and watched the sun glistening on the lake. Where was Saul? Mason was sure he would find him here at his favorite getaway. Was Saul worried that the back lash against him was so strong, that the morons issuing death threats would actually look for him here?

It had seemed a lot longer than six days ago since Mason pitched a perfect game in the World Series, crediting his dead wife for being with him. The day before he had gone to a psychic medium, who told him things he was certain she couldn’t have known about his wife and him. He knew Saul would have advised him against it, shoving Bible verses in face as he did so. But how could she know that their daughter was named after Beth’s grandmother? Or that he had proposed to her on a lake? The very lake he now gazed at.

He had kept this visit to a psychic to himself, but the media loved him referencing his deceased wife as helping him. The drama had made him a hero, not only in Las Vegas, but the entire nation and even internationally. His perfection on the mound had also tied the series at three games apiece.

Saul, who was considered Vegas’s ace, was to pitch the deciding game seven the next night, a Wednesday. But it was rained out. Thursday, it rained again. It was finally rescheduled for Friday evening, with not a cloud in the sky. But Saul not only refused to pitch, he wasn’t even at the ballpark.

It was in Saul Sallie’s contract that he was not required to pitch on Friday evenings or Saturdays. He followed the Biblical Sabbath, and his love for, and devotion to God would not allow him to waver even for the World Series. His manager had hoped he would waver his conviction, given the circumstances. But he was not only disappointed, he was angry. Especially when their opponent got eleven hits and scored six runs to go on and win the World Series.

Saul had insisted on this Sabbath stipulation ever since his first year in the minors. It was a demand that likely made his road to the majors twice as long. It might have gotten him cut if he wasn’t such a talented pitcher. It had been a beautiful young lady that he had studied and argued with that had convinced him of the Sabbath truth.

Marcella Knight-Storm had shown Saul Bible text after Bible text, and then had given him a history lesson on how and when Sunday keeping first began, and how it ultimately became a tradition among most Christian denominations. That beautiful young lady would become his wife a year later.

Mason looked at two things carved into the log. Both were heart shaped, and in the middle, both had two names. One said Marcella -n- Saul, while the other said Beth -n- Mason. He smiled to himself as he recalled the day he carved his fiancée’s name into the wood.

“Mason asked me to marry him!” Beth told Marcella excitedly as the two women hugged and jumped up and down. Saul simply grinned, shook Mason’s hand, and told him congrats.

Marcella ran into the cabin, and returned with a knife. She handed it to Mason and giggled. “Make it permanent.”

He ran his hand over the carving as tears filled his eyes. “I miss you, Bethany. Where are you?”

A Goldfinch landed five feet in front of him, seemed to look at him, and flew away. Was that her? He snorted and shook his head. Over thinking can drive you crazy. And right now he was overthinking Saul’s situation too. It overshadowed his glee of a perfect game. He was part of one of the biggest swings in sports history. He was the big hero of game six, but his good friend was the goat of game seven, even though he didn’t play. How ironic.

Mason was confused, and sighed heavily, shaking his head. “Oh brother, where art thou?”

DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #50 and final in series)

Peace Be Unto You (See Luke 24:33-48, John 20:19-29)

When Jesus first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, they didn’t recognize Him at first. But then He spoke and they knew Him. “Peace be unto you.”

Jesus is ever ready to speak peace to souls that are burdened with doubts and fears. He waits for us to open the door of the heart to Him, and say, abide with us. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears My voice, and open the door, I will come into them, and will dine with them, and they with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

The Holy Spirit was not yet fully manifested, for Christ had not yet been glorified. The more abundant impartation of the Spirit did not take place until after Christ’s ascension.

Jesus committed to the disciples a most sacred trust with the work before them. He desired to impress them with the fact that without the Holy Spirit, this work could not be accomplished. The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.

Remission of sins can be obtained only through the merits of Christ.

When Jesus first met the disciples in the upper chamber, Thomas was not with them. He had heard the report of others , and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen, but gloom and unbelief filled his heart. It wounded his vanity to think that Jesus had revealed  Himself to all the others except Him. He would not accept the witness of his brethren, or exercise faith that was dependent upon their testimony. He ardently loved his Lord, but he had allowed jealousy and unbelief to take possession of his mind and heart.

Many who are given to doubt excuse themselves by saying that if they had the evidence which Thomas had from his companions, they would believe. They do not realize that they have not only that evidence, but much more. Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of doubt to be removed, will never realize their desire.

In His treatment of Thomas, Jesus gave a lesson for His followers. His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak, and who make their doubts prominent. Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach, nor did he enter into controversy with him. Unbelief is seldom overcome by arguing or scorn. Instead it is put upon self-defense, and finds new support for excuse.

But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Savior, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgement of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

By the Sea Once More (See John 21:1-22)

Much of the time of Christ’s ministry had been passed near the Sea of Galilee.

Seven of the disciples were in company. They were clad in the humble garb of fishermen. They were poor in worldly goods, but rich in the knowledge and practice of the truth, which in the sight of Heaven gave them the highest rank as teachers. They had not been students in the rabbinical schools, but for three years they had been taught by the greatest Educator the world had ever known.

Christ had a lesson to give especially relating to Peter. Peter’s denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty. He had dishonored Christ, and incurred the distrust of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust. Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them all give evidence of his repentance. The Savior gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel.

Here is a lesson for all of Christ’s followers. The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God. But for open sin, open confession is required.

Peter was naturally forward and impulsive, and Satan had taken advantage of these characteristics to overthrow him. Just before the fall of Peter, Jesus had said, “Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith doesn’t fail, and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31, 32)

That time had now come, and the transformation in Peter was evident. The close, testing words of the Lord had not called out one forward, self-sufficient reply. And because of his humiliation and repentance, Peter was better prepared than ever before to act as shepherd to the flock.

Before his fall, Peter was always speaking unadvisedly, from the impulse of the moment. He was always ready to correct others, and to express his mind before he had clear comprehension. But the converted Peter was very different. He had retained his former fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal. He was no longer impetuous, self-confident, and self-exalted. He was calm, self-possessed, and teachable.

The Savior’s manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for all time. It taught to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Although Peter had denied his Lord, Christ’s love toward him never faltered.

Peter had tried to plan for the work of God, instead of waiting to follow God’s plan. But he could gain nothing by rushing ahead of the Lord. Jesus bids him, “follow Me.” Do not run ahead of Me. Then you will have the hosts of Stan to meet alone. Let Me go before you, then you will not be overcome by the enemy.

It is our work to look to Christ and follow Him. We shall see mistakes in the lives of other, and defects in their characters. But in Christ we shall find perfection. By beholding Him, we become transformed.

Go Teach All Nations (See Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12)

The disciples were to be co-laborers with their Redeemer in the work of saving the world.

Christ’s word on the mountainside were His announcement that His sacrifice in behalf of humanity was full and complete. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His commission to the disciples… All who come to Me, confessing their sins, I freely receive. All who will, may be reconciled to God, and receive everlasting life.

The humblest worker, moved by the Holy Spirit, will touch invisible chords, whose vibrations will ring to the ends of the earth, and make melody through eternal ages.

Jesus lifts men from the narrow circle which their selfishness prescribes. He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends, and enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our brother or sister.

There were places where the Savior Himself could not do many might works because of their unbelief. So now, unbelief separates the church from her divine Helper. Her hold upon eternal realities is weak. By her lack of faith, God is disappointed, and robbed of His glory.

Divine love has been stirred to unfathomable depths of humanity, and angels marvel to behold the recipients of so great love return a mere surface gratitude. Angels marvel at man’s shallow appreciation of the love of God. Heaven stands indignant at the neglect of souls in need.

The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power.

Christ is sitting for His portrait in every Christian. Let it be reflected in the character, and manifested in the life. In everyone, Christ’s long suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world.

Instead of man’s speculations, let the word of God be preached. Let Christians put away their dissensions, and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them in faith ask for the blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in apostolic days was the “former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the “latter rain” will be more abundant! (Joel 2:23)

All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.

Jesus had authenticated the fact that He was a living Savior! His disciples need no longer associate Him with the tomb. They could now think of Him as glorified before the heavenly universe.

As Jesus ascended to heaven, the awestricken disciples gazed upward.

When the disciples went back to Jerusalem, the people looked upon them with amazement. After the trial and crucifixion of Christ, it had been thought that they would appear downcast and ashamed. Their enemies expected to see upon their faces an expression of sorrow and defeat. Instead of this there was only gladness and triumph. Their faces were aglow with a happiness not born of earth.

They did not mourn over disappointed hopes, but were full of praise and thanksgiving to God. With rejoicing they told the wonderful story of Christ’s resurrection and His ascension to heaven, and their testimony was received by many.

The disciples no longer had any distrust of the future. They knew that Jesus was in heaven. They knew they had a friend at the throne of God, and they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.

For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives!

“Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing that He ever lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #49)

In Joseph’s tomb

In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. (Genesis 2:1-3) Now Jesus rested from the work of redemption.

Upon the very day of Christ’s death, three men, differing widely from one another, had declared their faith. He who commanded the Roman guard, he who bore the cross of the Savior, and he who died upon the cross at His side.

However, the priests and rulers were not at rest. They had carried out their purpose in putting Christ to death. But they did not feel the sense of victory they had expected. They now dreaded the dead Christ more than they had ever feared the living Christ.

While the disciples feared to show themselves openly as His followers, Joseph and Nicodemus came boldly to their aid. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at this time. They could do for their dead Master what it was impossible for the poor disciples to do. Their wealth and influence protected them from the malice of the priests and rulers.

Nicodemus had had opportunity for reflection. A clearer light now illuminated his mind, and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious. He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Savior during His life. The very event that destroyed the hopes of the disciples had convinced both Nicodemus and Joseph of His divinity.

The mourning and cries of the suffering ones brought home to thousands of minds the conviction that a great light had gone out of the world. Without Christ, the earth was blackness and darkness.

Jesus was sealed as securely in the tomb as if He were to remain there through all time. Roman guards were powerless to confine the Lord of life within the tomb. The hour of His release was near.

The Lord is Risen (See Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15)

Angels that excel in strength were guarding the tomb, and waiting to welcome the Prince of life.

At the death of Jesus the soldiers had beheld the earth wrapped in darkness at midday. But at the resurrection they saw the brightness of the angels illuminate the night, and heard the inhabitants of heaven singing with great joy and triumph: “You have vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness. You have swallowed up death in victory.”

All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. Only He who is One with God could say, I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death.

To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Savior the life that was lost through sin is restored. For He has life in Himself to quicken who He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity.

To the believer, death is but a small matter. Jesus speaks of it as if it were a little moment. “If any man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” To the Bible believing Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear, with Him in glory.” (John 8:51, 52 and Colossians 3:4)

Why Do You Weep? (See Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)

The women who had stood by the cross of Christ waited for the Sabbath to pass. On the first day of the week, very early, they made their way to the tomb, taking with them precious spices to anoint the Savior’s body. They had not understood His rising from the dead.

A young man clothed in shinning garments was sitting by the tomb. It was the angel who had rolled away the stone. He had taken the guise of humanity that he might not alarm these friends of Jesus. Another angel in human form is there and says, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

The day that was a day of rejoicing to all heaven was to the disciples a day of uncertainty, confusion, and perplexity. Christ’s first work on earth after His resurrection was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them. To give them proof that He was their living Savior. That He had broken the fetters of the tomb, and could no longer be held by the enemy death!

At first the disciples could not cast off their doubts and perplexities. Even when the women declared that they had seen the Lord, the disciples would not believe. They thought they were under a delusion.

In the garden, Mary had stood weeping, when Jesus was close beside her. Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not discern Him. And the hearts of the disciples were so full of grief that they did not believe the angel’s message of the words of Christ Himself.

How many are still doing what Mary and the disciples did? Jesus is close beside them, but their tear blinded eyes, and troubled hearts do not discern Him. He speaks to them but they do not understand. Do not mourn as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives! And because He lives, we shall live also!

Jesus lives to make intercession for us! Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like an anchor. Believe and you shall see the glory of God.

The Walk to Emmaus (See Luke 24:13-33)

Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples had no prominent place in Christ’s work, but they were earnest believers in Him. They were greatly perplexed as they walked.

Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ’s words, and realize that He had foretold the events which had come to pass. They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part. That the third day He would rise again. This was the part they should have remembered.

The priests and rulers did not forget this. On the day “that followed the preparation, the chief priests and rulers came together to Pilate, saying, Sir, we remembered that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” (Matthew 27:62, 63) But the disciples did not remember these words.

In teaching the disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now disregard the Old Testament. But such is not Christ’s teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity. But a stronger proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New Testament.

Jesus interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if humanity is too indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide with them, He passes on. Thus many meet with great loss.

Had the disciples failed to press an invitation, they would not have known that their traveling companion was the risen Lord. Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, and it’s up to us to decide whether to let Him in or not. (See Revelation 3:20)

DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #48)

Calvary (See Matthew 27:31-53, Mark 15:20-38, Luke 23:26-46, John 19:16-30)

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him.” (Luke 23:33)

For transgression of the law of God, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden. Christ, our substitute, was to suffer without the boundaries of Jerusalem. He died outside the gate, where felons and murderers were executed. Full of significance are the words, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, “being made a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13)

All through the disgraceful farce of a trial Jesus had borne Himself with firmness and dignity. But after the second scourging, when the cross was laid upon Him, His human nature could bear no more, and He collapsed beneath the burden.

When Christ rode into Jerusalem, the hopes of the disciples had been raised to the highest pitch. They had pressed close about their Master, feeling that it was a high honor to be connected with Him. Now in His humiliation they followed Him at a distance. Now they were filled with grief and disappointed hopes.

Christ pitied His abusers in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness—“for they no not what they do.”

That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that ever had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world until the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. “Whoever will,” may have peace with God and inherit eternal life.

In order to destroy Christ, the priests and rulers had been ready to sacrifice their national existence. They were united with Satan and his angels, and were doing his bidding. Christ could have come down from the cross. But it is because He would not save Himself that the sinner has hope of pardon, and favor with God.

How grateful to the Savior was the utterance of faith and love from the dying thief next to Him! While the leading Jews deny Him, and even the disciples doubt His divinity, the poor thief, upon the brink of eternity, calls Jesus Lord. Many were ready to call Him Lord when He wrought miracles, and after He had risen from the grave. But none acknowledged Him as He hung dying upon the cross except the penitent thief.

With amazement the heavenly angels behold the infinite love of Jesus, who suffering the most intense agony of mind and body, thought only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe.

In Christ’s dying hour, He remembered His mother. Looking into her grief stricken face, and then upon John, He said to her, “Woman behold thy Son!” Then to John He said, “Behold thy mother!” John understood Christ’s words, and accepted the trust. He at once took Mary into his home, and took care of her.

Oh pitiful, loving Savior! Amid all of His physical pain, and mental anguish, He had thoughtful care for His mother!

Through familiarity with evil, humanity had become so blinded to its enormity. Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart, and how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish.

The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Savior in His hour of supreme anguished pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never fully be understood by man.

The Savior could not see through the portals of the tomb! Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of His sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that their separation was to be eternal.

Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.

God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son! Yet His presence was not revealed.

He who stilled the angry waves and walked the foam-capped billows, who made devils tremble and disease flee, who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life—offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this because of love for us! He, the Sin Bearer, endures the wrath of divine justice, and for our sake becomes sin itself.

Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance previously given to Him. Darkness settled upon the earth, and a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard. There was a violent earthquake. The wildest confusion and consternation ensued.

Right after Christ declared “It is finished,” priests were officiating in the temple. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand. All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim. But the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son.

Henceforth the Savior was to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens.

It Is Finished

To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry, “It is finished,” had a deep significance. Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or the unfallen worlds. The arch apostate had so clothed himself with deception that even the holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.

Spiritual rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. God’s government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing principles.

In the councils of heaven, it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God’s principles. Time was given that they might be seen by the heavenly universe.

All the efforts of Satan to oppress and overcome Jesus only brought out in a purer light His spotless character. Heaven viewed with grief and amazement Christ hanging upon the cross, blood flowing from His wounded temples. All heaven was filled with wonder when the prayer of Christ was offered in the midst of His terrible suffering—“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open , and He had revealed himself as a murderer. Yet he was not then destroyed.

Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God’s favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner.

But even as a sinner, man was in a different position from that of Satan. Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God’s glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God’s love. But humanity was deceived, their minds darkened by Satan’s sophistry. The height and depth of God’s love, mankind did not know.

God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man’s redemption. “God was in Christ , reconciling the world unto Himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

It had been Satan’s purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. But by His life and death, Christ proved that God’s justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be obeyed.

It was because the law is changeless, because man could be saved only by keeping its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it. Here will be the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. By substituting human law for God’s law, Satan will seek to control the world. This work is foretold in prophecy.

Of the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan (The antichrist) it is declared, “He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out (persecute) the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand. (Daniel 7:25)

(For an example of this prophecy fulfilled in history, one excellent resource is “Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World.” By John Foxe.)

DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES ANDS QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #47)

Judas

The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have been honored. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed.

But it was for a purpose that his character was laid open to the world. It was to be a warning to all who, like him, should betray sacred trusts.

Judas had fostered the evil spirit of greed until it had become the ruling motive of his life. The love of the world overbalanced his love for Christ.

The Savior did not repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a minster of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding. He felt that he could retain his own judgement and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.

Christ’s often repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this world displeased Judas.

Judas saw what relief, what joy and gladness, come to human hearts through the healing power of the Redeemer. He might have comprehended the methods of Christ, but he was blinded by his own selfish desires.

Christ’s discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was the turning point in the history of Judas. He heard the words “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53) He saw that Christ was offering spiritual rather than worldly good.

Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the Savior’s lessons. Yet the dissension of who should be the greatest was generally excited by him.

Judas’s experience will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome respond to Satan’s temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.

Judas did not believe that Jesus would permit himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach him a lesson, and acquire for himself a high position in his kingdom. Since Jesus had escaped so many snares previously, Judas thought Jesus would not allow Himself to be taken.

The priests had been willing to make Judas their tool, but they despised his baseness. When he turned to them with confession, they spurned him.

The Savior did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent. His confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a looking for of judgement, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas, and said, “For this hour came I into the world.”

Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall. He felt that he could not live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself.

Retribution seemed already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus.

In Pilate’s Judgement Hall (See Matthew 27:2, 11-31, Mark 15:1-20, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, 19:1-16)

Before Pilate, the Roman governor, stands Christ bound as a prisoner. Pilate had to deal with all kinds of criminals, but never before had a man bearing marks of such goodness and nobility been brought before him. On his face he saw no sign of guilt, no expression of fear, no boldness or defiance. He saw a man of calm and dignified bearing, whose countenance bore not the marks of a criminal, but the signature of heaven.

Pilate saw through the priests’ purpose. He did not believe that the prisoner had plotted against the government. His meek and humble appearance was altogether out of harmony with the charge.

With noisy cries, priests, scribes, and rulers demanded that Jesus be sentenced to death. The shouts were taken up by the onlooking mob, and the uproar was deafening. Pilate was confused. Seeing that Jesus made no answer to His accusers, Pilate said to Him, “You answer nothing? Behold how many things they testify against You.” But Jesus still answered nothing.

Standing behind Pilate, in view of all the court, Christ heard the abuse. But to all the false charges against Him He answered not a word. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence. He stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat about Him.

“I find in Him no fault at all,” Pilate had declared. These words from a heathen judge were a scathing rebuke to falsehood of the rulers of Israel who were accusing the Savior.

When Pilate heard that Christ was from Galilee, he decided to send Him to Herod, the ruler of that province, who was then in Jerusalem. By this course, Pilate thought to shift the responsibility of the trial from himself to Herod. He also thought this a good opportunity to heal an old quarrel between himself and Herod. And so it proved. Thus the two magistrates made friends over the trial of the Savior.

Herod as well as Pilate was satisfied that Christ had been accused through malice and envy. Yet he peppered Christ with many questions, but throughout the Savior maintained a profound silence. He even petitioned Christ to preform a miracle. The Son of God had taken upon Himself human nature. He must do as man must do in like circumstances. Therefore He would not work a miracle to save Himself the pain and humiliation that man must endure when placed in a similar position.

The mission of Christ in this world was not to gratify idle curiosity. He came to heal the broken hearted.

Hardened as he was, Herod dared not ratify the condemnation of Christ. He wished to relieve himself of the terrible responsibility, and he sent Jesus back to the Roman judgement hall. Pilate was disappointed and much displeased.

Although Pilate found no fault in Jesus, he declared that he would chastise Him and then release Him. Here Pilate showed his weakness. He had declared that Jesus was innocent, yet he was willing for Him to be scourged to pacify the accusers.

Pilate had taken step after step in violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin.

The wife of Pilate had been visited by an angel from heaven, and in a dream she beheld the Savior. She was not a Jew, but as she looked upon Jesus in her dream, she had no doubt of His character and mission. While Pilate was hesitating as to what he should do, a messenger pressed through the crowd, and handed him a letter from his wife which read: “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”

Pilate’s face grew pale. He was confused by his own conflicting emotions. But while he had been delaying to act, the priests and rulers were still further inflaming the minds of the people.

The Roman authorities at this time held a prisoner named Barabbas, who was under sentence of death. This man had claimed to be the Messiah. Under cover of religious enthusiasm, he was a hardened and desperate villain, bent on rebellion and cruelty.

Pilate asked the crowd who he should release, Jesus or Barabbas. He was certain they would choose Jesus, but instead demanded that he release Barabbas. He asked what he should do with Christ. The surging multitude roared like demons. “Let Him be crucified.”

Satan led the cruel mob in its abuse of the Savior. It was his purpose to provoke Him to retaliation, and thus break up the plan of salvation. But He who could have driven away that mob in terror by the flashing forth of His divine majesty—submitted with perfect calmness to the coarsest insult and outrage. Every feature of Christ’s face expressed gentleness and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long suffering love.

Pilate was filled with amazement at the uncomplaining patience of the Savior. In the vast sea of upturned faces, His alone was peaceful.

Pilate had longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another.

Yet the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him. Not long after the crucifixion, his honors were stripped from him, and he was cast down from his high office. Stung by remorse and wounded pride, he ended his own life.

“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1 Corinthians 2:14)

DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #46)

Gethsemane (See Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:39-53, John 18:1-12)

Throughout Jesus’s life on earth He had walked in the light of God’s presence. When in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, “He that sent Me is with Me: the Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29)

But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God’s sustaining presence. Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must bear the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father’s love.

Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God against transgression, He exclaims, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.”

As they approached the garden, the disciples had marked the change that came over their Master. Never before had they seen Him so utterly sad and silent. As He proceeded, this strange sadness deepened, yet they dared not question Him as to the cause.

Jesus felt that by He was being separated from His Father. The gulf was so broad, so black, so deep, that His spirit shuddered before it. This agony He must not exert His divine power to escape. As man, He must suffer the consequences of man’s sin. As man He must endure the wrath of God against transgression.

Hitherto Jesus had been an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself.

With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ’s soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan’s kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God. And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of humanity!

The sins of humanity weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God’s wrath against sin was crushing out His life.

The human heart longs for sympathy in suffering. This longing Jesus felt to the very depths of His being.

How dark seemed the malignity of sin! Terrible was the temptation to let the human race bear the consequences of its own guilt, while Jesus stood innocent before God. If He could only know that His disciples understood and appreciated this, He would be encouraged.

The sleeping disciples: Surely, the love of John for His Master should have kept him awake, and praying. The redeemer had spent entire nights praying for His disciples , that their faith might not fail.

Should Jesus now put to James and John the question He had once asked them, “Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They would not have ventured to answer, “We are able.” (Matthew 20:22)

The disciples awakened at the voice of Jesus, but they hardly knew Him. His face was so changed by anguish. Jesus did not reprove them, but said, “Watch ye and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Even in His great agony, He was seeking to excuse their weakness. “The spirit truly is ready,” He said, “but the flesh is weak.”

The disciples saw Christ’s face marked with the bloody sweat of agony, and they were filled with fear. His anguish of mind they could not understand. “His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” (Isaiah 52:14)

The awful moment had come—that moment which was to decide the destiny of the world. The fate of humanity trembled in the balance. Christ might even now refuse to drink the cup apportioned to guilty man. He sees the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of humanity. He sees the power of sin over our fallen natures.

Having made the decision, Jesus fell as if dying to the ground. Where now were His disciples, to place their hands tenderly beneath the head of their fainting Master, and bathe that brow, marred indeed more than the sons of men? The Savior trod the wine press alone, and of the people, there was none with Him. (See Isaiah 63:3)

But God suffered with His Son. Angels beheld the Savior’s agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces. His human nature weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin.

The mighty angel who stands in God’s presence, occupying the position from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel didn’t come to take the cup from Christ’s hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it, with the assurance of the Father’s love. Although Christ’s agony did not cease, His depression and discouragement left Him.

Jesus did not refuse the traitor’s kiss!

Jesus stepped forth to meet His betrayer. Standing in advance of His disciples, He said, “Who do you seek?” As these words were spoken, the angel who had just ministered to Jesus stepped between Him and the mob. They staggered back. Priests, elders, soldiers, and even Judas fell as dead men to the ground. Yet this miraculous event didn’t stop them! Even more amazing, Jesus submitted rather than obliterate them!

The disciples were terrified as they saw Jesus permit Himself to be taken and bound. They were offended that He should suffer this humiliation to Himself and them.

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas (See Matthew 26:57-75, 27:1, Mark 14:53-72, 15:1, Luke 22:54-71, John 18: 13:27)

The Savior contrasted His own manner of work with the methods of His accusers. For months they had hunted Him, striving to entrap Him and bring Him before a secret tribunal, where they might obtain by perjury what was impossible to gain by fair means.

Annas was silenced by the reply of Jesus. Fearing that Christ would say something regarding His course of action that he would prefer to keep covered up, he said nothing more at that time. One of his officers, filled with wrath as he saw Annas silenced, struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Do you answer the high priest so?”

Christ calmly replied, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why do you hit me?” Jesus spoke no words of retaliation. His calm answer came from a heart sinless, patient, and gentle, that would not be provoked.

To be surrounded by human beings under the control of Satan was revolting to Him. And He knew in a moment, by the flashing forth of His divine power, He could lay His cruel tormentors in the dust. This made the trial all the harder to bear.

His love for His Father, and His pledge, made from the foundation of the world, to become the Sin Bearer, led Him to endure uncomplainingly the course treatment of those He came to save.

Caiaphas had regarded Jesus as a rival. When the council had assembled in the judgement hall, Caiaphas took his seat as presiding officer. On either side were the judges, and those specially interested in the trial. The Roman soldiers were stationed on the platform below the throne. At the foot of the throne stood Jesus. Upon Him the gaze of the whole multitude was fixed. The excitement was intense. Of all the throng Jesus alone was calm and serene. The very atmosphere surrounding Him seemed pervaded by a holy influence.

The people compared the excited and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas with the calm, majestic bearing of Jesus. Even in the minds of that hardened multitude arose the question, is this man of godlike presence to be condemned as a criminal?

Caiaphas, raising his right hand toward heaven, addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath: “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” To this appeal Christ could not remain silent. There was a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

The words of Christ startled the high priest, and he tore his garments. A high priest was not to rend his garments. By Levitical law this was prohibited under sentence of death. Finite man might rend his own heart by showing a contrite and humble spirit. This God would discern. But no rent must be made in the priestly robes, for this would mar the representation of heavenly things. This act was looked upon as having severed himself from God.

By rending his garments, Caiaphas himself was committing blasphemy. Yet standing under the condemnation of God, he pronounced sentence upon Christ as a blasphemer.

Christ’s very nobility and godlike bearing goaded them to madness. His meekness, His innocence, His majestic patience, filled them with hatred born of Satan. Mercy and justice were trampled upon. Never was criminal treated so inhuman a manner as was the Son of God.

“Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” (Mark 14:30) While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter’s lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Savior turned from the frowning judges, and looked full upon His poor disciple, and their eyes met. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there.

The sight of that pale, suffering face, and that look of compassion and forgiveness pierced Peter’s heart like an arrow. Peter had just declared that he didn’t know Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him, and how accurately he had read his heart, the falseness of which was unknown even to himself.

Had those hours in the garden been spent in watching and prayer, Peter would not have been left to depend upon his own feeble strength. He would not have denied his Lord.

When the condemnation of Jesus was pronounced by the judges, a satanic fury took possession of the people. The roar of voices was like that of wild beasts.

The angels of God faithfully recorded every insulting look, word, and act against their beloved Commander. One day the base men who scorned and spat upon the calm, pale face of Christ will look upon it in its glory, shinning brighter than the sun.