The Prologue

The man moved to the hiding place in the shadows, careful not to make his light reveal the beloved. He was known by many names—friend, savior, redeemer—but his favorite was Father. Under an arm rested a worn book, and as he sat down, the ancient pages rustled like fall leaves over cobblestone. Each page was unique, composed of various writers, but the Father’s name bore the place of honor. He turned to the first page and listened. It wasn’t long before the beloved’s laughter turned to tears, and shallow sobs sifted through the shadows. He waited longer. He waited for silence.

Then, in no more disruption than a gentle eddy of air on a cool fall day, he whispered, “In my image and in a single breath, I breathed my spirit of life into you, my beloved.1 All that you see was made by my hands, and I gave you authority over it all.2 Do you see how much I love you?”

Silence filled the void, and he began again, “The day you fell, everyone was wounded, and my heart broke for both of us. You hid, but I sought you.3 To ease your shame, I clothed you, and to spare you, I sent you away.4 And when the hearts of the world continually pursued evil, you turned to me, and I shared how I would spare you.5 I sealed you away before I released the waters.6 When the rain subsided, I made an everlasting promise of my love to all creation.7

“When you were childless, I alone made a covenant with you.8 And when the years grew long, you doubted,9 and, in jealousy, drove your servant and their child into the wilderness. Like you, I pursued them, loved them, and blessed them.10 When my promise to you was fulfilled, and I asked you for your child, in your belief, you obeyed. And in your obedience, your children, their children, and the world were blessed.11

“When you were made a slave by your family,12 slandered by your master’s wife, and thrown in prison, I was with you. In your slavery and sorrows, I was fulfilling my promises to you.13 

“And when you cried out in agony, I heard you!14 It was by the work of my hand that your oppressors released you. They knew who I loved, for you were spared by my hand when they were not.15 I myself led you away by smoke and fire. Did I ever leave you?16 And when you were surrounded, fearing the encroaching enemy and still not believing,17 it was I who cleaved the sea in two. You walked on dry ground while your enemies were swept away.”18

Father paused, “Do you believe I love you?“ The quiet of the night was the only reply. 

“In the barren of the desert, I fed you, and from a rock, I gave you water.19 Were you ever hungry, in need, or without me? And by your obedience, did I not promise to make you my treasured possession?20 I came to you, descending from on high, and desiring a relationship.21 I gave you the law that you would know my ways, and it would go well for you.22 But only one dared to seek me and speak to me as I’ve always intended, face to face and heart to heart. As I passed by, and only by my own hand, they were protected from my glory. My heart breaks because who I am in my glory is a terror to you.23 

“So I walked before you to prepare the way, and when you entered the land of my promise, I again held back the very waters that would impede you.24 I am your defender, and I make the ground you walk on holy.25  I am the one who makes strongholds collapse, and your enemies tremble in fear.26 And when you were the foreigner, the prostitute who recognized me, I took you in as my own.27 When the battle was not over, I stopped the sun in the sky and fought for you.28 I made you a place in this world and, as I promised, gave it to you so that you might know my love for you.

“And though the world swindled you away, I did not forget my promise.29 For you, I called up men and women alike to return you to me.30 Remember when you were widowed? It was I who redeemed you.31 And when you were barren and cried out to me in your sorrows? I did not forget you. I gifted you a child that you would be part of my plan–a child that heeded my voice and spoke for me.32 But again, your heart turned to the ways of the world and demanded a king, not me. So, in love, I conceded.33

“And when the king’s heart turned from me, I blessed you with another.34 I chose the youngest, meekest, of the smallest family, the one after my own heart–I chose you. Though you were driven out, chased, lied to, and nearly killed, I delivered you and gave you a kingdom.35 Still, even you, the seduction of the world, tried to separate us, and in your time of weakness and suffering, I forgave you.36 I had compassion for you, and I gave you a child, granting him wisdom beyond any other.37 He built my house so I could be with you, and that my promises to you would be fulfilled.38

“Time and time again, the world turned your heart from me.39 But my love for you is more than you realize, and when you sought me, I caused your enemies to flee.40 When they came again in numbers so vast, I alone utterly subdued them.41 And on the last day of your life, you cried out, and in my compassion, I gave you a sign of my love, and I healed you.42

“And when the desires of your heart scattered you from me, I placed you in the courts of kings so that you were spared.43 Though enemies tested my love and your faith by the threat of death, I stood in flames with you.44 I closed the mouths of lions.45 In their fortress, they mocked me, and though they believed they were secure, I wrote their fate on the walls where they placed their trust.46 I am the one who humbles the mightiest in power, and they recognize my authority.47 And from them, I gathered you up and returned you to the place I set aside for you.48

“Though your heart couldn’t see the work being done for you, I sent messengers to remind you and give you a foretaste of who I am.49 And when asked, fire was sent from heaven,50 a little was made an abundance,51 the foreigner was made clean,52 and the dead were brought back to life.53 Though my enemies drove my messengers away, I fed them. I gave them rest. I met with them not in a mighty wind, quaking earth, nor fire, but in a gentle whisper.54 I whispered to them of what I would do, the delight I take in my steadfast love for you, and how all that separates you from me would be removed.”55

As a scarred hand turned a worn page, and, for the first time, the beloved leaned closer. It was the giving of attention, the first act of love, and Father cherished the moment.

“For you, I stepped down, veiled that terrifying glory and my power. Though you didn’t know it was me, I would make evident my character by the work I did for you.56 I became like you, a child born of a woman.57 I lived under the oppression of kings and fled as a foreigner to another land,58 and was the humble son of a tradesman. When the way was prepared, I started my work in the desert.59 Tempted, like you, I was offered the world. But you are worth more to me than the world.60

“I called you and, to my heart's delight, walked with you as a friend, face to face and heart to heart.61 When you were with me, were you ever hungry?62 Even when I sent you out with nothing, were you ever in need?63 And when the storm threatened you, didn’t I silence it for your regard?64 For you, the unclean were made clean,65 and the lame healed.66 For you, the blind were made to see,67 and the deaf to hear.68 Do you remember when you set your eyes on me? The waves I held back for you became the stepping stones on which I met you. And though you looked away, sinking below the waters, I reached out and took you by the hand.69 And when death stole your family, I was there. My heart broke with yours, and I wept too. But from that wretched tomb, I called them back from the grave.70

“Still, it was not enough. You walked into this world as a transgressor condemned to be sentenced to death. I stood before your accusers and forgave you. One by one, they left you.71 But the debt still had to be paid.

“I did the only thing love could do. I gathered up every transgression that kept you from me, and I took them on as my own.72 For there is no greater love than I could give than my life for yours.73 So your accusers led me to your fate. And when my last breath escaped from a broken body, my work was complete and the veil torn.74

“The accusers thought they had won with justice served, and justice was served. The debt had been paid in full. Though you scattered in that dark moment, locked in fear of what would happen next, not even death could keep me away from you. I met you where you were at.75 Though you still held on to fear, shame, and doubts, I came in love bearing more for you that you would never truly be apart from me, my Spirit.”76

Father closed the book. His gentle voice quivered in the darkness as he spoke, “Whatever you think you have done or will do, I have already overcome by grace.77 There is nothing in all creation that can separate you from my love.”78  The man stood and held the book out. “This is only the beginning of an eternity of my love. But what comes next only you can do.”

From the darkness, the beloved called out, “What is it? What must I do?”

Father replied, “Believe.”79