If You Only Knew

I’m reading a book for teens and pre-teens called The Camelot Code. Being fascinated with Arthurian myths, I’m drawn to anything about that topic, and this book was no exception.

In the story, young Arthur—who has no idea he is the rightful heir to Camelot—falls into the magical Well of Dreams and is transported to the future—our time. Despite his peculiar dress and behavior, he quickly becomes Mr. Popular at the local school and even joins the football team. Before long, the young boy, who had only known loneliness and servitude, vows he’ll never return to the past.

When young Sophie—a present-day girl—is tasked with the burden of helping Arthur understand his destiny and convincing him to go back to Camelot, she introduces him to Google and Wikipedia. As Arthur reads his story on the computer, he marvels to learn that he is the once and future king who would pull the sword from the stone and rule as one of the greatest kings the world has ever known.

However, Sophie’s plan begins to backfire as Arthur reads the rest of his story—the betrayal of his true love and best friend and his death at the hand of an illegitimate son. Once aware of his fate, the young king’s determination to stay in the past is strengthened, even though his displacement in time was causing time ripples affecting both the past and present. Somehow, his decision even caused pepperoni to cease to exist. Imagine the horror!

As I read through the story, I could understand where Arthur was coming from. Who would want to return to a life you knew would end in betrayal and heartache? Sure, he’d be king for a while, but what does it get him in the end? Why would he leave a place and time where he’s respected, revered, and loved for a death sentence? Honestly, if I were faced with such a situation, I can’t say I’d choose to go back. I guess the old saying is true, “Ignorance is bliss.”

But then I realized Jesus made that difficult decision. He knew the ridicule and rejection He would face on earth. He understood the agony He would be subjected to on the cross. He had complete knowledge of the long and lonely road He would have to walk. Yet, He came. He left the splendor of Heaven—a place where He was loved, revered, and honored—to come live in the nasty now and now with people who would mock His name and ultimately nail Him to a cross. He knew, but He came.

Oh, what love He must have for you and me! What else would compel someone to make such a choice? It was love. Pure. Simple. Undefiled. Jesus chose to suffer so we wouldn’t have to. He decided to be forsaken by God so we would never have to taste such a sting. He battled death and the grave so we could have a chance at eternal life.

The devil tried to stop Him. Even the disciples tried to dissuade Him. But He was determined to come, to die, to save. Let that sink in, my friend, for that is how much you and I mean to our Savior. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face and a spring in your step, I don’t know what will. Pepperoni, maybe?

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. - Ephesians 3:17-19