Man in the Middle
by Terry R A Eissfeldt Before the celestial orb began its faithful journey across the virgin sky, Creator of all matter hovered between His Throne in Heaven and the Earthly realm below. He was suspended in the middle where deep calls out to deep and, up from Chaos, Order arose and aligned itself with Life. But Life, though in the very middle of the Garden of God, was not the preferred choice of the free beings so like their Creator. Too easily they were led astray, convinced the very hand that formed them was harsh, unfair, withholding. Death became master. His kingdom invaded the world created to be an extension of Heaven with man as ruler. But man was now slave. And Death, unlike the Father of Lights, demanded blood as payment for betrayal. Blood to quench an unquenchable thirst. God stepped in. He stood between Death and its prey. He chose a lamb, instead of man, and shed the first innocent blood. It wet the sacred ground staining it for eternity. Man was covered in new slain skin. Death's threat abated but not relinquished. He would have his day. Dust would return to dust. So from the dawn of time man has needed an advocate, an intercessor, to raise a voice in contrast to the Accuser, who stands before the throne of God, night and day, day and night, demanding recompense. As Father Time marched on, others, less divine, followed where the Spirit led. They found themselves hovering, brooding, suspended in the middle of fallen clay and the soaring Holy Breath. Men and women, interceded in word and deed for their fellowman, stood in the gap, between earth and Heaven, between spirit and body, defending those not worthy of the tears they shed; nor the blood. Prophets, Priests and Kings heard the very heartbeat of Heaven and tried to convey its unique rhythm to those who would not hear, though they possessed ears. The endless cycle of dust to dust continued until the innocent blood, the crimson stain, overflowed the dust of Earth and invaded Heaven's throne room. Father and Son looked to the Spirit. He sped to Earth below and found a fertile womb. Once more the Earthly realm was invaded. The Son became man. No more above, but now below, joined in mutual flesh. He brought the very Breath of Heaven. But all were not ready to be released from Death's grip. They did not want to give up their chains of control for bands of love. They suspended the very One who came to free them, the Son, between Heaven and Earth. On cruel wood He stretched out blameless hands. With supplication and passion He called His Father as witness before breathing the last Breath of Heaven. Death had his day. The Son, encased in clay was entombed in the Earth's womb. But dust was not to be. With blinding light and a shout from all creation Life won the day. The Son returned to his Heavenly home and brought with Him the innocent blood. As witness to His endless love it sits beneath the throne waiting the Day of Judgment. Now the Son stands before His Father, interceding for the ones He bought. And the Spirit, fully free to roam the Earth, seeks out and finds those to whom it has been given to stand in the gap, to be in the middle. They are the faithful. Clumps of clay so yielded that they are willing to be the very voice and hands and feet of Heaven on Earth. Week by week in pulpits they hover and brood over their flock, over their community, over their world. They breathe the Breath of Heaven to bring life, direction, encouragement, correction. With compassion, knowing the frailty of their fellowman, they intercede and join the Son in supplication before a Holy God. They are men and women in the middle of Earth and Heaven, Spirit and flesh, God and the fallen. Waiting the day when the last drop of innocent blood falls and joins the cluster under the throne. Then and only then, when the final battle is won and Earth returns to which and whom it was created for, when Death at last has his day and is forever burning in the Lake, will God and man meet truly face to face. All will be changed as clay crumbles and the incorruptible is embraced. No longer will there be a need for a man in the middle. Terry R A Eissfeldt copyright 210 Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |
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