The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Barbeque/Cookout (09/06/12)
The serene and lovely lakeside setting whispered peace, and the lingering morning star seemed to lean down to listen. Silken wavelets lapping the shore chanted a greeting to dawn in subdued but splendid tones as the glowing orange orb rose from its slumber and attended to its task of illumination. A new day had begun.

A solitary man strolled the beach, delighting in the revealed beauty and breathing in the fresh, invigorating air. A beach breakfast with his best friends was the plan for the moment, and he was eager to get things cooking.

He built a charcoal fire, and as the smoke curled upward on the lake breezes, he set the food to frying. It gave him such joy to surprise his friends like this. They'd gone night fishing, and it had not been a successful venture. They would be certainly be tired, hungry, and maybe a bit grumpy. His call to them out over the water encouraged them to let down their nets one more time. They couldn't see who he was at first, but they made another attempt and were rewarded with a stupendous catch. And now were fairly sure they knew who he was.

The welcome smell of hot bread and sea-scented grilled fish met them as they struggled to reach land with their bounty. Their eyes were wide open, but their mouths remained closed as they contemplated the unexpected scene before them. Their "chef" companion motioned toward the warmth and sustenance and invited with a smile, "Come on and have some breakfast!" As had been his usual custom, he spoke a few grateful words of thanksgiving before passing the bread and fish around his circle of fellowship. The food was satisfying, but just being in his presence fed their more profound soul-hunger.

Jesus lived what He spoke. There was never any discrepancy between His words and His life. He'd said earlier that He was in this world not to be served (as He surely deserved), but to serve. He declared, " I am among you as one who serves." Those were not idle words. His heart pulsed with a stunning, genuine love for everyone. A powerful love so selfless, so unconditional, so immovable that it was truly beyond belief. And it found expression in every word and action of each day of His life. Everywhere He went people were healed, fed, raised from the dead--both physically and spiritually.

However, it was just before and soon after His suffering, death, and resurrection that we see the most intimate images of Jesus' shepherd-heart. His Passion of pain and power was "bookended" by two fellowship meals with those he cherished as His closest earthly friends. The first was the more formal Passover supper where Jesus washed their feet as the lowliest slave would have done--should have done. In unfeigned humility He got up from his place at the table and took off His outer clothing. His friends watched in astonishment as He then wrapped His waist with a towel, poured a basin of water, and knelt before each one in turn. He tenderly took their dusty, dirty feet in His pure, sinless hands and began to demonstrate just how deeply He loved them.

The second meal was more casual but the service performed in granting the miraculous catch of fish and in preparing breakfast on the beach was even more astounding. Here we have the Mighty Savior, the Awesome and Terrible Holy One, who in total triumph has overcome darkness, conquered death, and defeated the devil. He has gloriously "brought life and immortality to light" by His Cross-death and His Rising-again. He is proclaimed forever as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Supreme Victor of the Universe. And yet the Eternal Majesty willingly stoops to gather wood, build a fire, and prepare a meal as a meek household servant would do--all for the very cowards who shamefully fell asleep on Him, deserted Him, and denied Him when He needed the comfort and caring of their presence the most.

This is of the highest service known to this needy planet. This is unimaginable love.

Now, will you let Him wash your dirt and filth away with His own, gentle hands? Will you receive from Him an overflowing net of spiritual blessings? Will you take the perfect nourishment He has hand-prepared and offers so freely?

Because He loves you.

Because you love Him, too.



****************
Scriptures referenced: Matthew 20:28, Luke 22:27, John 13:1-17 & 21:1-14, II Timothy 1:10
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1429 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
09/13/12
Powerful entry with important messages throughout the entire piece. I especially loved the last several lines. Well done.

And, thank you Jesus!

God Bless~
Terry Lee
09/14/12
Lovely, beautiful, and very well said. I find it interesting that there is another entry covering the same scene, but from the perspective of Simon, the fisherman. I am enjoying placing these two pieces side by side in my head, the other, which presents the always imperfect human point of view, and this one, which presents Jesus's incomparable, divine point of view. Standing alone, this piece puts a smile on my face, and warmth in my heart, but again, I am enjoying swirling both pieces together in my head.
Noel Mitaxa 
09/19/12
Love the atmosphere throughout and the positive challenge that you close with. Well done.
Bea Edwards 
09/19/12
Simply lovely way to paint Jesus and His servant attitude!
I absolutely adored it.
Loren T. Lowery
09/19/12
I could see, feel and taste it all. You captured the sense of Jesus and His love. A very moving and profound piece of inspired writing.
Loren T. Lowery
09/20/12
I was thinking about your article last night, about the exquisite and unapologetic love it shows for Jesus. I am so happy this placed so well in the challenge. Congratulations on your EC!
Danielle King 
09/20/12
Powerful, inspired writing. Congratulations.
Margaret Kearley
09/20/12
Beautiful. I love the thought of the two meals with Jesus' closest friends'bookending' His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Your ending of deep questions are both challenging and full of compassion . Thankyou Myrna, and many congratulations on your placing.
Karen Pourbabaee 
09/20/12
I loved savoring every facet of the half dozen or so pieces on John 21 (which is also the topic I chose).This was beautifully worded...i especially liked your sentence about the Eternal Majesty stooping down to pick up wood, build a fire, and cook a meal as a servant.
Congratulations on your placing!
C D Swanson 
09/20/12
Congrats on your EC!
God Bless~
Bea Edwards 
09/21/12
I am so happy your beautiful entry placed in the EC! As I said before, it is a stunning piece of work.
Terry Lee
09/21/12
Congratulations on this beautiful piece!
Laura Hawbaker
09/22/12
Very well written and thought provoking. I have always been fascinated by this beach breakfast scene. looks like it was a populare scene for this topic!
Leola Ogle
10/02/12
Congratulations Myrna! Good job!