The Lad and the Elder One

“Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."

"I saw two figures standing: One tall and authoritative, but not demanding. He was gentle and kind, and held a very welcoming and compassionate disposition. The other was a young Lad, not yet in puberty, having his gaze fixed upon the 'Elder' as he looked up. The Lad's look was one of trust, yet reflected an inner uncertainty. This Lad was looking to the Elder for reassurance and love, for hope and direction.

There was a bond between these two persons; no contention, just unity. Their hearts were together and they knew peace.

The Elder stood next to the Lad on his left side, and slightly facing inward. His left hand held the Lad's left forearm, just under the wrist, and slightly projected his arm forward so the boy was slightly reaching, and pointing. The Elder's right arm rested gently on this boy's right shoulder, in a reassuring manner. They stood close; no words were spoken except for those silent ones shared between two people who love each other.

In this scene they were entirely alone, no distance behind, no sides, nothing except them standing there in contentment and peace. The Elder was showing the boy which way they will be going together. The boy knew he could trust the Elder One. And so they stood in this moment of commitment and trust, the bond between them assured and total."

Some might say that what I 'saw' about the Lad and the Elder One was a vision. Well, in my view, it could have been--or maybe not--but as I don't know the 'Biblical definition' of a vision I can't say. What I do know is that what I related above came to me twelve months ago, in the context of quiet prayer before God's throne of grace, in the afternoon of 8th January, 2004. I see no reason to consider it an invention of my mind or wishful thinking, as some may feel a need to claim.

I related this 'vision' to my wife and our two friends RA + LA when we were meeting together, as usual, and we explored about its content. But it was on the way home that my wife raised the issue of the time of my new birth in Jesus when I was an 11 year old, on 9th August 1966. It seemed to fit so well and so I have no reason to doubt that the Lord is showing me and reassuring me that I do walk his path, even in my frailty and weakness, and that He has set the path and leads me onward, that he is with me in every respect.

I read is Scripture where, at another time, he encouraged one of his saints, who wrote, "he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades' ". Elsewhere He encourages, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of [the enemy], for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you," and, "In the day of salvation I will help you, I will keep you .... He who has compassion on [his covenant people] will guide them and lead them beside springs of water".

And so, I remain totally in His care and under His compassionate authority. He knows the way ahead, just as He knows the beginning from the end. In Him I can put my total confidence, despite how I feel or what is before me known or unknown. I need not worry if some reject me, and/or abuse me, and/or condemn me in their blindness and own frailty. I can confidently walk in the way He has set, and know with absolute certainty, He is with me always.

Praise His Name forever.

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

~~~~~~

The above is an adapted from my personal journal, Vol 6.21 and 6.23, of Friday, January 9th, 2004.
References: Revelation 1:17,18; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 49:8, 10; Luke 9:47-48; Matthew 28:20.