Heaven Bound

It looks almost certain that Leonardo DiCaprio will win an Oscar tonight for his grueling portrayal of Hugh Glass, the American fur trapper, explorer and frontiersman who was left for dead in the 1820’s after being severely mauled by a grizzly.  Based on a true story, Glass not only survived the bear attack  but lived to tell the story by crawling and stumbling an amazing 200 miles back to Ft Kiowa in the dead of winter where he sought revenge on the two who had left him for dead with neither weapons nor provisions.

Until this movie came out, I had never heard of Hugh Glass nor the term revenant which is derived from the French revenir and means –

“one who returns after death or a long absence”.

I was thinking about this (the remarkable story of Hugh Glass)  and couldn’t help but think of it in relation to another movie that people are seeing right now, the movie Risen.

ALIVE AND COMING AGAIN

It’s been 2,000 years since Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee. His life cut short at the tender age of 33 by a brutal death on a cross. “He saved others,” they (the soldiers) jeered as they peered up at the form above them – a form, so severely beaten as to be barely recognizable as a man- “but, he cannot save himself“.  Just another dead Jew in this god-forsaken place called Judea, they surely thought.

If you saw the movie Risen as I did yesterday. You probably have a feel for what those hardened Roman soldiers, those ministers of death were probably like. Death for them was their 8-5 job. Life was cheap in those days (much like it is in many parts of the middle-East today) and justice was swift – if you want to call it that – and harsh. These guys were no fools, dereliction in their duties would carry a similarly swift penalty. So, when the body of Jesus came up missing three days later, you can bet those assigned to guard his body against those who might have cause to steal it were sweating bullets.

This was the premise of the movie and as you can imagine a furious and desperate search for the body was launched. For the Jewish authorities that wanted him dead knew full well that he had claimed that he would raise his body up in 3 days should he be crucified. Taking no chances, they bribed those who had been charged with guarding his body in to admitting that they had been sleeping (which they were not – on fear of the death penalty themselves) and the search was on – probably the biggest manhunt in history for the Jewish authorities (as well as the Roman) were not about to let a rag tag bunch of Jews (his followers)  make them out as fools.

Of course, they never did find the body of Jesus for he was indeed alive showing himself to many eye witnesses over a period of 40 days before ascending in to heaven. But, not before making the startling promise that in the same way he was leaving he would also someday be coming back.

Jesus, the true Revenant

I can just imagine how surprised folks were when Hugh Glass came walking in one day. They must have swallowed their tongues. Especially, the two who had knowingly left him behind to die!  Interesting, the perseverance this man had – fueled by revenge – yet, forgiving at least the younger of the men and letting them both go free from the wrath they both deserved (the true ending of the story unlike the fictionalized one in the movie).  All the more interesting, when you consider his name  – Hugh, which is derived from the Germanic and means “heart, mind, spirit”  – and  Glass – “something of shiny material“.  Indicative, you might say of the almost ghostly reappearance of the man that everyone believed to be dead.

And while the world has been stunned by the incredible tale of Hugh Glass, it pales in comparison to the real revenant Jesus Christ. The evidence for which (his life, death, burial, and resurrection) is beyond refute. And, just like he promised, he is coming again

Therefore, don’t be one who is caught by surprise. By then, it is will be far too late. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation. Therefore, if you hear his voice do not harden your heart.

If you have made that decision today, please let me know. I (and all of the readers here at Heaven Bound) would love to rejoice with you!

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And, as always –

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy