I Appeal To Caesar!

* * * * * Without warning, Jacob and Judah, husbands of Rachel’s friends, charge into the house with a home-made stretcher to carry the pain-ridden woman! Without time for discussion, the excited people position her as best they can. Staring at the homemade contraption, everyone wonders: “Is it strong enough? Will it hold together?” But . . . there is no time to think or ask questions! Surrounding Rachel, each friend grabs and lifts a portion of the stretcher. Pushing and shoving, they make their way out to the main street. Like launching a small boat into a rushing river, the intrepid group thrust their litter into the moving stream of happy, boisterous people! It is bedlam, an unbelievable scene of uproar and confusion! The people are beside themselves, shouting and singing, waving palm branches as though they are actually crowning Jesus king! The great crowd is happy beyond belief! Rachel’s small group, however, concentrate on one thing only, push, shove, and lift their ailing passenger on the wobbly litter. The group’s feeling has shifted from serious anxiety to optimistic hope. This thing is possible! Abandoning usual courtesies, the militant group becomes a small juggernaut as they surround, lift, and propel the litter forward through the celebrating crowd!

Surely, He must be close! Where is Jesus NOW?