In the beginning…13d. Eden

At the precise moment when Eve first bit into that piece of enticing fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Jesus was just concluding his final solo in the praise service before the throne in the holy palace. The angel chorus had sounded particularly inspiring in their God-praising during the Day 7 celebration. The music, recitations by various angels, dramatic presentations by certain ensembles depicting the six days of creation, and in fact all aspects of the worship went precisely as planned. Allen couldn’t have been prouder.

As the last note faded and Allen was about to thank and dismiss the choir and audience, the Father stood and solemnly raised a hand gazing in the direction of the Earth Overlook. Humbly expecting God to speak a word of appreciation as was always his custom on previous similar occasions or even to ask for an encore – for which the chorus always prepared, Allen waited patiently with a contented smile on his face.

But no words came from the heavenly leader. Then after several minutes, during which time the drama on earth played itself out as Adam responded to Eve’s summons and joined her beneath the tree, God only bowed his head as though in thought. His eyes closed and a look of sorrow, such as no heavenly being had ever witnessed, crossed the face of God.

“What’s the matter, Father?” naturally Jesus was the first to break the foreboding silence. It took another moment before God responded.

“I’m afraid something dreadful has happened on Earth,” he stated. “I need to go.”

“Where, Father?” Jesus inquired.

“To Earth, Son,” God calmly said. With that, he left the throne and headed toward the palace door. As Jesus and others stirred as though to follow, the Father turned hesitantly and raised a hand, “Please don’t accompany me this time. There is something I must do alone. You’ll be informed later of all the recent happenings on Earth.”

A perceptible chuckle came to God’s ears from the far side of the crowd. He looked in that direction, making eye contact with Lucifer who had just rejoined the audience and was smirking arrogantly. The two heavenly beings made eye contact. Lucifer couldn’t sustain the gaze of the Father for more than a moment and lowered his eyes; the leer was still on his lips.

Still looking straight at Lucifer, God exclaimed, “Lucifer, leave the palace; leave my presence. You have caused enough trouble for one day.”

A murmur permeated the crowd. Whispered conversations began between small groups and pairs of angels all over the throne room. Most simply stood aghast without a clue as to what had just occurred. Lucifer slunk out with his handful of followers. The Father left the palace and hurried in the direction of the Earth Overlook. Allen and the other angels turned toward Jesus.

“Don’t ask me. For some reason my omniscience is jammed, and I can’t tell what has happened or what is happening. We’ll all just have to wait until my father returns and explains,” Jesus’ words were spoken calmly despite the turmoil of emotions he was feeling in his mind. Gradually many left for their homes. Jesus and a small group stayed, relaxing as much as possible around the throne to await their heavenly Father’s return.

[to be continued]