Since Resurrection Sunday is just a week away, I thought I would share a story from my book, The Caleb Chronicles called, "The Story".
In it, Caleb tells a group of children (all named after my nieces and nephews) the gospel story in a slightly different manner. It’s about two kingdoms; one ruled by King Ado-Nai, and the other ruled by King Apollyon. King Ado-Nai sent His Son Emmanuel to sacrifice himself to save two young boys from King Apollyon. Think about this for a moment, yes God the Father sent His Son Jesus to become the ultimate sacrifice so that the world might be saved, but He also died for you personally, and He died for me personally. Before He laid the foundation of the world the Timeless-One looked from eternity into time and saw YOU and He saw me and said, “I will die for you because I want you with Me.”
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Here's, "The Story". I hope you like it.
The Story
For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).
“Caleb, Caleb, Caleb!” yelled the children as they ran up to Caleb, the high priest. He sat on a large rock by the stream reading the Holy Verses.
Caleb jumped to his feet alarmed. “What’s wrong? Tell me! What’s wrong?”
“Tell us a story,” said one child.
“Please, please,” they all begged.
“A story?” asked Caleb. “You guys scared me. I thought something was wrong.”
“Scared? You don’t get scared,” said another child.
“Come on, come on, please?” they yelled.
“All right, all right, I’ll tell you a story,” said Caleb laughing.
“Yeah, yeah!” yelled the children.
“But I was worried,” Caleb said under his breath. “Gather around everyone and sit down.” He sat back down on the rock.
“What kind of story are you going to tell?” asked a little girl.
“Well, Leanne, I don’t know. What do you think?” replied Caleb.
“Not a scary one, okay?” said another little girl.
Caleb picked up the little girl and sat her on his lap. He said, laughing, “Okay, Danielle, not a scary one.” Caleb smiled, put his hand up to his chin, and acted like he was in deep thought. Then he threw his hand up, pointed to the sky, and yelled, “I got it!” All the children jumped in fright.
“That wasn’t funny!’ said Kim as she crossed her arms in disapproval.
“Yes it was,” said Michael, laughing.
All right let’s get started,” said Caleb.
“Wait, wait for us!” yelled two more children running up to hear Caleb’s story.
“Come on, Phillip. Kayla, come sit right here.” The children sat there with their eyes wide-open ready for the story. They knew Caleb told great stories.
“Is everyone ready?” Caleb asked.
“Yes, yes,” all the children yelled together.
“Here we go,” Caleb said. “In an ancient world, in an unknown galaxy, there were two kingdoms—the one in the north ruled by King Ado-Nai, and the one in the south ruled by King Apollyon. Now, King Ado-Nai was loved by all that dwelled in his kingdom. No one said an unkind word about him, and all served with gladness. In addition, King Ado-Nai served his people with loving-kindness. However, King Apollyon was a little different. He was hated by all. Those who dwelled in his kingdom served him in slavery and bondage with many stripes on their backs. King Apollyon was known as the King of Pain.
“King Ado-Nai and King Apollyon were great enemies. They had been enemies since way before time began. The two kings have had many battles. King Apollyon has never won a battle. At one time, King Apollyon served in King Ado Nai’s court; that is until he thought he should be king. Then one day, he rebelled and rose up against King Ado-Nai, and one-third of the kingdom followed Apollyon in his revolt. There was a great war, and the sons of Ado-Nai—the king’s army—removed Apollyon and his followers from the kingdom. So Apollyon built his own kingdom. From that point on, King Ado-Nai and King Apollyon have been enemies.”
“But why did Apollyon not like King Ado-Nai?” asked a young boy.
“No one really knows, Levi. Maybe he thought he could be a better king,” answered Caleb.
“Apollyon is mean! I don’t like him!” said a little girl.
“Yes he is, Elizabeth,” Caleb said, smiling. “Do you want me to go on?” asked Caleb.
“Yes, yes! Please!” yelled all the children.
“All right, let’s see . . .” Caleb continued his story. “Oh, yes. So, one day two young girls came before King Ado-Nai in tears. ‘What are your names?’ King Ado-Nai asked.
“The older of the two answered saying, ‘My name is Sarah, and this is Kay.’
“‘What is it that you need?’ asked King Ado-Nai.
“‘It’s our brothers, Wayne, and Leslie,’ cried, Sarah.
“‘What about your brothers?’ asked the king.
“‘They have been taken, Your Majesty!’ said Kay.
“‘Taken by whom? Who has taken your brothers?’ King Ado-Nai demanded.
“‘By King Apollyon!’ cried Sarah. ‘The Fallen Ones came in the night and took them out of their beds while we slept!’ said Kay.
“‘We’ve got to get them back! Please help!’ cried Sarah, wiping her eyes.
“King Ado-Nai felt great compassion for the girls. He stepped down off his throne and got on his knees in front of the girls. He put his hands on their shoulders, looked in their eyes, and said, ‘We will get them back. Don’t worry. You have my word.’ Then he sent them home.”
“That’s so sad,” said one of the little girls sitting by Caleb.
“Don’t cry, Rae,” said Caleb, smiling at the children. “Should I stop now?”
“No! No, don’t stop! Keep going!” yelled the children.
So Caleb continued. “King Ado-Nai sent for his son, Emmanuel. Emmanuel came and stood before King Ado-Nai and said, ‘Yes, Most Holy One, how may I serve you this day?’
“King Ado-Nai answered saying, ‘Apollyon has taken two young boys. We must get them back.’
“‘If we must get them back, then we will get them back . . .whatever it takes,’ said Emmanuel.
“Emmanuel gathered the sons of Ado-Nai together and set out for King Apollyon’s kingdom. When they arrived, King Apollyon’s army, the Fallen Ones, met them at the gate. King Apollyon was ready for them. He knew King Ado-Nai wouldn’t let this go. The commander of King Apollyon’s army spoke. ‘Emmanuel! King Apollyon has a message for you!’
“‘Speak, for these words may be your last! What is the message?’ replied Emmanuel.
“The commander answered, ‘Strong words for a defeated man. If you try to take these boys, if you touch one soldier . . . the boys are dead!’ The commander and his army’s laugh were wicked. Emmanuel knew this day would come, the day when staffs and swords would not win the war. He knew what he had to do.”
Caleb stood to his feet, stretched his arms up, yawned, and said, “I’ll finish the story tomorrow. Okay?”
The children jumped to their feet and yelled, “No! You’ve got to finish! Please!”
Then one girl pulled on Caleb’s arm. Caleb looked down at her. She said, “Please finish the story, Caleb.”
“Are you sure you want me to finish it, Katie?” asked Caleb.
Katie and her brother, Will, nodded their heads. All the children pleaded, “Please!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll finish,” Caleb laughed. He sat back down and continued the story.
“Emmanuel told the commander that he wanted to see King Apollyon. The commander said, ‘Follow me!’
“‘One second,’ said Emmanuel. Emmanuel turned and spoke to his captain saying, ‘Go to my Father and tell him that I have to do what we have talked about for so long. The day has come. Now go and don’t delay.’ Emmanuel turned back around and said to the commander, ‘Let’s go.’
“The commander and the Fallen Ones led Emmanuel—bound in chains—to King Apollyon’s throne room. When King Apollyon saw Emmanuel walk through the doors, he was puzzled but pleased. As Emmanuel stood before Apollyon, all the court was silent. Apollyon leaned forward on his throne and said, ‘I never thought I would see you standing in my courtroom. But I am pleased.’ Leaning back in his throne, he said, ‘Now, what can I do for you this day, Emmanuel?’
“Emmanuel took two steps forward and said, ‘I have a deal for you.’
“‘What kind of deal?’ questioned Apollyon.
“Emmanuel took two more steps toward Apollyon and said, ‘Take me instead—my life for the children’s.’
“‘What did you say?’ asked Apollyon in disbelief.
“‘Take my life and let the boys go free,’ replied Emmanuel.
“‘This must be a joke!’ said Apollyon.
“‘No joke,’ said Emmanuel.
“Apollyon stood to his feet in disbelief, ‘You are willing to give up your life for these brats?’
“‘Yes, I Am,’ replied Emmanuel.
“King Apollyon grinned and stepped down off his throne. He clasped his hands behind his back, walked slowly toward Emmanuel, and stopped right in front of him. Looking Emmanuel straight in the eyes, he said, almost whispering, ‘Oh, yes, it’s a deal. It is definitely a deal.’ Still looking Emmanuel in the eyes Apollyon raised his right hand and said in a deep, growling voice to the Fallen Ones in the courtroom, ‘Take him!’
“Are you guy’s all right?” asked Caleb.
The children wiped their eyes and said, “Yes, we’re okay. Please keep going.”
“Okay, I’ll keep going. As they released Wayne and Leslie, the Fallen Ones took Emmanuel out into the courtyard. They led him to the center of the yard where there stood a tall, wooden pole with a metal ring on top. They tied his hands together, took the other end of the rope, threw it through the ring on top of the pole, and pulled it until Emmanuel’s feet were barely touching the ground. Then the Fallen Ones began beating Emmanuel with a whip made of leather and steel. They beat him until his flesh hung off him. His breathing became labored. King Apollyon came out and stood before Emmanuel. He pulled out his sword, held it to Emmanuel’s throat, and said, ‘Well, Son of Ado-Nai, the time has come. I have waited centuries for this moment. Sweet is the smell of your blood. Do you have any last words?’
“Emmanuel lifted his head, looked Apollyon straight in the eye, took a deep breath, and said, ‘You lose!’
“‘I don’t think so,’ replied Apollyon. At that, he took his sword and thrust it into Emmanuel’s heart. Emmanuel’s blood poured out of him. Then suddenly a violent wind blew across the kingdom, spreading Emmanuel’s blood everywhere. Whoever was touched by Emmanuel’s blood was made free. Everyone in King Apollyon’s kingdom was touched by the blood of Emmanuel, and they ran out of Apollyon’s kingdom. Apollyon and the Fallen Ones could not stop them.
“Apollyon’s kingdom fell that day, by his own sword. The people of his kingdom were freed and Wayne and Leslie were reunited with their sisters. So many other families were also reunited that day.
“Now, before you say anything, Emmanuel did not remain dead. King Ado-Nai had the power to give life back to his son. So, King Ado-Nai and Emmanuel were reunited. And they all lived happily ever after. The end.”
All the children stood to their feet and cheered. They clapped their hands and hugged Caleb. Then one of Caleb’s ministers came up to him and said, “Caleb, Eli’Zur needs to see you. There’s trouble in the Far Land.”
“Thank you, Christopher, tell him I’ll be right there.”
Pastor D W Riffe
The Caleb Chronicles
