Jesus tattoo

 

A small child shuffled down the sidewalk of a tree-lined boulevard. His head was down as if he were ashamed to look the world in the eye. He kicked the pebbles in his path with a carelessness that said life did not matter. Cars sped by without noticing the meloncoly scene a few feet from their path. A dog barked from a fenced yard as if to say "stay away!" 

Day after day he walked this path. Rain pounded the earth then heat blasted the ground making it too hot to walk on. He looked up at the trees, thankful for their covering. Soon the leaves fell and snow covered the world in its icy grip. 

Each day the boy stopped by this one tree that stood between his house and the path. He sympathized with the falling leaves and cursed the winds and the snow as the elements tried to destroy the beauty of this tree. 

Today he left the house like every other day. He locked the door, turned and walked down the steps but ran smack into his tree. Bewildered, he looked over where the tree always stood wondering how it moved into his path. 

He looked at the trunk to see if he in any way damaged his favorite tree and noticed an inscription etched into the trunk. King of kings and Lord of lords. 

He looked up and realized his tree was never a tree. In fact Jesus stood before him. Jesus stopped down and took his head in His hands. 

"I don't understand," the boy stammered. "Every day I pray and every day I see my prayers go unanswered. Where have you been?"

"I have been here all along," Jesus replied as He lifted the boy into His lap. "I shelter you from the storms and provide shade in the desert times. I block the icy winds of winter. Every day I walk beside you. I love hearing your voice when you talk to me. I love hearing your problems and your thoughts."

 

"Then why didn't I see you before now?"

 

"You were so busy focusing on the ground and your next step that you did not notice I was the one walking beside you. I stood between you and the road."

 

Puzzled, the young man looked down the road. No trees lined the boulevard as he always thought. 

"You are not as small as you think," Jesus said as He put the boy on his feet. He put His hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. 

 

"Even before you knew me I equipped you with everything you need to live life. You are competent and capable. You are my son and you are made in my image. This means you are capable of loving because I am love. You are fully equipped to live in peace because I am the Prince of Peace. 

 

"I have my name tattooed on my leg so that when you run into me you know right away what you ran into. I am over everything and I want to take care of you. You can let me carry your burdens for you." 

 

The boy took off his backpack and handed it to Jesus. When he did, he realized he was standing as tall as Jesus. There was a lightness in his heart he forgot he could feel. The young man felt like he could do anything. 

 

 

 

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

- Revelation 19:16