“Gas turned on this time?” Bill yelled at the other Bill, while he was
restarting his bike. “Good, let’s go, thank God, we are finally hitting the
road.” And the three of us were off, leaving town early on this three day
weekend. It had been an unusually stressful week, and I was taking off with my
two other riding buddies, destination unknown, but with roads to ride and
memories to make. The last few nights after work spent in the garage, 8 track
blaring, it of unknown origin, as were the tapes, which was wired to a car
battery, again source unknown, with no receipt. Getting ready to ride, we were
listening to the Allman Brothers Ramblin’ Man, up until the battery faded to
nothing, as our eyesight had too. After last minute oil changes in the garage,
and putting the other Bill’s front tire, he of the last minute repairs, any
romance I was expecting from my live in girlfriend was not to be. She didn’t
ride, what was I thinking, and she didn’t like either Bill, and they never
called her by her name, always referring to her as “Your old lady.” And as I
had climbed into bed last night, she was still mad about my last minute plans,
made only a week ago, and leaving her with no money, again spent on motorcycles,
and so we had fought all week.
She had been particularly hard to get along with lately, and was getting
religious. Which was starting to turn me off, I have needs too, and this last
week was interested only in this wise man, who some called a prophet who had
come to town. All she wanted to talk about, but as she had been down this road
looking for peace before, I just went with it, and riding without her. But this
last guy was different to her, and as she followed him on the news, he had been
arrested, and a hasty trial by jury had found him guilty, and sentenced to
death. Good, maybe we can get back together when I get back home. But first
let’s ride, with our exit road out of town going past Skull Mountain.
Skull Mountain had been named hundreds of years ago, legend has it, because
on certain days, in profile, when the afternoon sun hits it right, it looks
like a skull. So 100 years ago they started doing executions there, the skull
meaning death, and this weekend was no exception, as this prophet was among two
other criminals to be executed. To be honest with you the place creeped me out,
so while lane splitting past the lookie lous, I kept me eyes ahead, I didn’t
need any more stress, with my old lady, and her prophet being executed, no
romance last night, and limited funds to travel. I was out of town, but passing
by, somehow something was different, with heavy military presence-this must have
been one bad dude to deserve all the attention and guards. With one last look
in my mirror, the traffic broke up,and we accelerated, not looking back, but
riding into a great three day weekend. The old lady would have to wait.
Three days of great weather, great roads, and no news had changed all our
attitudes. Even when the other Bill had really run out of gas, he had left it
on reserve, thinking it was on, and when he went to switch the petcock, fond
another empty, but was able to cost into a general store. We had eaten well,
argued over which bike was best, and I even cut the conversation short when Bill
wondered how I could put up with the Old Lady, not telling them they were her
biggest problem, not wanting to hurt their feelings. One look at both reminding
me why they rode alone. But riding back into town after a great weekend is
always tough, but this time the traffic was heavier than any three day weekend
in memory. And as we got closer to Skull Mountain, it slowed to a stop, no
problem, we lane split. But as we came over the rise, we saw military road
blocks, and were waved back into line. Asking a man in the car next to us what
was going on, he said they were looking for a missing body, that was stolen from
the grave. It was the body of this prophet, which had been under heavy guard,
and the military was furious, as they had been made out to be fools. The rumor
was this prophet had promised to leave an empty tomb, and be resurrected in
three days, and someone, probably his followers had stolen his body. Past all
the guards we had seen leaving town? And I wondered about my old lady, if she
knew anything about it, but that would have to wait until I got home, later.
And if Skull Mountain creeped me out before, it really creeped me out now, as
talk of ghosts, and empty graves, grave robbers, and loaded guns pointed at us
brought the weekend back to reality. Maybe we should just turn around and call
in sick tomorrow.
As the officers surrounded us, guns drawn, they looked us over, and poked
and prodded at our bungeed packs. Like where am I going to hide a body? “These
guys are OK,” and waved us on, after a thorough questioning about this body.
After believing we were out all weekend, the dirt on the bike, and the bugs in
our teeth and leathers must have been convincing enough, and we passed by. But
what had happened? But what was this secret of Skull Mountain? And who was
this Jesus they were looking for?
Still looking for peace and a way to God like my old lady? How many are
looking for love, when they should and could be looking at an empty tomb. An
empty cross showing where Jesus had died, bringing salvation to all who
believe. Just like He said, and yes the tomb was empty, just like He said. The
evidence is there, and still is, 2000 years later. Where is the savior you are
looking for? His name is Jesus, He is here right now, calling you by name. You
cannot avoid Him, and His call goes out until the day you die. You cannot
escape it by leaving town, or drown it out by loud music-or loud exhausts. His
spirit is calling you, He loves you. For the three day weekend that started
with Good Friday, and ended with Easter is still here today. So, I ask, what
are you doing with this weekend? What are your plans? Do you ever wonder about
the secret of Skull Mountain, or is this all some religious garbage meant to
interrupt your ride? To those of us who believe, there is no secret, just the
empty tomb. But our hearts filled by Him because of it. For Jesus told us that
we will be resurrected just like Him! What secrets do you believe? Have you
ever wondered where is His body? And why all the turmoil over it, if He was
only just another religious nut?
Today I know the secret of Skull Mountain. A three day ride changed my
life. And sadly many friends have turned against me, choosing not to believe.
But many do that we ride with. And my old lady, now is my wife, and we ride
together. Maybe she was right about my friends all along. That’s between them
and God. For now, there are no secrets between God and me, or my wife and I.
We know the truth, and it has set us free. Gas turned on, tank filled. Leaving
for another ride. Just another three day weekend? Not to Jesus. The real
secret of Skull Mountain. Find out who this Jesus was they were looking for
today. Wise men still seek Him. He is no mystery to me.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com