Jesus the Man, Hersh Solomon [classic books for 10 year olds txt] 📗

Jesus the Man

After his resurrection was complete and his place at God’s right hand was assured, the living Christ left his body, and all that was left was Jesus, the man.

“Jesus the man,” said God. “You are ready. Will you join Me in Heaven, now?”

But Jesus the man wasn’t ready. He still wanted to know how it felt to be a father, like He did, too.

“Very well,” said God. “Have another life, then, Jesus the Father,” and let him go, so that when he came to Heaven, he’d be ready.

Jesus the father changed his eyes and girded his loins and headed west to be a father.

He had many children. He loved them, and he was their sun.

And though he still had the zest for life that people remembered about him best, nevertheless, the trauma had taken its toll.

When his children asked, “What happened to you?”

He said, “That was from before I was the person that you know,” and moved on.

By the time he was eighty and the last of his children had left home, then he knew how it felt to be a father, like He did, too.

Jesus the Father departed, leaving only Jesus, the man.

“Jesus the man,” said God, “You are ready. Will you join me in Heaven, now?”

But Jesus the man wasn’t ready. He still wanted to know how it felt to be a warrior, like He did, too.

“Very well, then,” said God. “Have another life, Jesus the Warrior,” and let him go, so that when he came to Heaven, he’d be ready.

Jesus the warrior changed his eyes and donned his shield, and headed east until he came to a town where nobody knew him.

When the guards asked him, “Who are you?”

He said, “I’m a general and there’s gold inside my blood,” and marched on. They took the town from those that owned it and gave it to the rich in spirit.

He led them to Rome; peace prevailed in their wake. His biggest weapon was his heart, which split open many heads.

Ceaser came a’knocking, and, seeing the gold in his blood, he was not excluded.

By the time he was a-hundred-and-ten and the last of his soldiers had returned home, then he knew how it felt to be a warrior, like He did, too.

Jesus the Warrior departed, leaving only Jesus, the man.

“Jesus the man,” said God, “You are ready. Will you join me in Heaven, now?”

But Jesus the man wasn’t ready. He still wanted to know how it felt to rule, like He did, too.

“Very well, then,” said God. “Have another life, Jesus the Emperor,” and let him go, so that when he came to Heaven, he’d be ready.

Jesus the emperor changed his eyes and raised his sceptre and headed south to establish justice.

When he arrived at the capital the people asked him, “Why have you come?”

He said, “To establish equilibrium inside my soul,” and moved on.

He ruled, long and well, expecting vengeance. But the more justice was established the further those he held accountable slipped away. And when his thirst for vengeance was quenched and justice had been established, those he held accountable were no longer even there.

By the time he was a-hundred-and-fifty and the last of his subjects had felt home, then he knew how it felt to rule, like He did, too.

Jesus the Emperor departed, leaving only Jesus, the man.

“Jesus the man,” said God, “You are ready. Will you join Me in Heaven, now?”

But Jesus the man wasn’t ready. He wanted to know how it felt to be completely free, like He did, too.

“Very well, then,” said God. “Have another life, Jesus the fool,” and let Him go, so that when he came to Heaven, he’d be ready.

Jesus the fool changed his eyes and packed his swag and went north to be completely free.

When he came to the middle of nowhere, he spun around ‘till he was dizzy, so that when he regained his balance, he wouldn’t know in which direction he was facing. And when he regained his balance and didn’t know in which direction he was facing, he went ahead.

The nearest town was his chosen destination, but when he got there he spun his heel on a pivot to avoid it. The town he saw had something wrong about it; he changed direction to find an even worse one.

And when he found a town with nothing right about it, he went.

The townsfolk asked him, “Where did you come from?”

He said, “I’ve come back from the dead,” and moved on.

They thought him mad and laughed and there was merriment. He told it straight and always said the truth. They tossed him coins to be their bard for entertainment. And though he was the center of their attention there was no one else who was more alone.

Text: Eugene Samolin
Publication Date: 08-27-2020

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Dedication:
Jesus