The message was clear and no longer was the veil which covers men’s eyes present. The seeker had been found and the wayward son was ready to return home. There was only one thing left to do and that was to release his grip on the bench and march those final few steps to the alter and accept the gift, and do what Christ had called him to do.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-39).” Peter proclaimed it at Pentecost for all people who’ve been cut to the heart by the Gospel message. It was God’s ultimate offer then and has not been diminished by the centuries that have passed.

So with nervous and sweaty palms, he reached over and grabbed his wife’s hand. “Will you go with me?” He asked. She nodded with tears streaming down her cheeks and followed him out into the aisle. Together, the two who were becoming one, crossed the chasm of man’s separation from God and emerged on the other side of the great divide.

Not only had the separation from God been evident in their lives, it was not long ago the two had stared into the abyss of hopelessness and contemplated a separation from each other. They danced with the notion of life apart which many who’ve gone before them have mistakenly confused with freedom. Yes, the road had been wrought with battle wounds and scars and the struggle had cost them dearly, but they were not finished. Even more importantly, Christ was not finished with them.

As he stood before the Pastor, the man who had called him out, he reflected upon his journey, but looked on with great anticipation and a new hope for the promise that awaited them both. She, he thought, had willingly come along with him only for support. So imagine his surprise when she too confessed all that was not right with her soul, and then one, followed by the other was buried with Christ and raised in newness of life.

Consider if you will, as the scriptures proclaim in Luke 15:7, there is much rejoicing in Heaven among the Angels when one sinner comes to repentance. How about two? How about two very troubled hearts, from one very shipwrecked union whose doom was never very much in doubt, except for the promises of one holy Savior.

The eruption which followed could best be described as a spontaneous outbreak, a celebration of such immense magnitude that it would shake the very foundation of Hades. Here was a pair, former members of the walking dead, snatched from the icy clutches of death and given not only a wonderful victory party, but a new life, and a new song. Praise the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords whose promise to save is for all who would listen and all who would accept his wonderful gift.

Praise Him who is able to do mighty works, who shines a light into the darkness, and salvages men’s souls.