When we were kids we loved to sit around camp fires with the Boy Scouts and
listen to the ghost stories. Anything to be a little scared, and then go back
to your tent flash light in hand, hoping the mad slasher, or the Jersey Devil,
or Muldinky’s Ghost weren’t true. And among these stores many urban legends
sprung up, among them the story of Falling Rock. It seems Falling Rock was an
Indian, a young man who was the son of the chief. He was destined to be the
husband of another chieftain’s daughter, but wanted no part of it. And he made
it known, which was blasphemous. He refused to marry someone he didn’t love, or
was preordained to marry, he wanted it to be his choice. But despite warnings,
he refused, hoping his power and personality, he was very popular with everyone,
would win out over tradition. The night before he was destined to marry the
princess he didn’t want to, the traditional party was thrown, and the sacred
honors made public for him. He reluctantly went through with the ceremony, but
had no intention of marriage. Covering up his bitterness as best he could, he
went to bed afterwards, and the chief felt all was well.
But the next morning his tepee was found empty, with only a note. “I will
live on the road before I marry one I do not love.” And he was gone. The chief
in a panic, and not wanting to embarrass his fellow chief or his daughter, began
a frantic search. Sending his scouts out to every road in the area. But
Falling Rock was never found, no trace of him, and today after many generations,
the hunt still goes on for Falling Rock. As evidenced by the signs on many
freeways, particularly in the mountains that were his favorite, “look out for
Falling Rock.” And thus an urban legend was born.
Now how true that was or is doesn’t matter, we believed it as kids. And
the signs are still there today. And it is good advice to look out for falling
rock. And some of the hard core even tell of how the evidence of his being
there is found after storms when rocks are found on the highways. So in some
way we all look out for Falling Rock. But do we look out for Jesus the same
way? Is he an urban legend, a story told around camp fires, a mystical person
like Falling Rock or is he who he says he is? Picture Peter on the day of
Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus was resurrected. His body was never found
either, yet no signs of looking out for Jesus Christ are found. But he left a
hole in our hearts to desire him. Imagine if you were, one of the audience that
day, and after hearing Peter’s account of Jesus and his crucifixion, then his
resurrection, your heart is changed, the spirit reveals himself to you and you
repent. But still are burdened with the fact that it was you and your friends
who were there that day yelling “crucify him, crucify him!” Suddenly you are
faced with knowing the one you persecuted was who he said he was, and you have
to repent. Perhaps the ultimate revenge, facing your enemy and telling him you
were wrong. But the truth of Jesus Christ is that he forgives, and people like
us are the reason he died on the cross. The sick don’t need a doctor, the
unsaved need a savior and Jesus is the one. And the only. You can only imagine
the emotion that swept through the crowd that day...when they realized who Jesus
really was.
The force of Peter’s arguments, his testimonies when backed up by the holy
spirit left no doubt that day. And still leave no doubt today. Jesus is who he
said he was, and is, and his resurrection proved it. No one else, no other so
called religious figure left an empty tomb, and we know just where he is,
sitting at the right hand of the father making intercession still for those who
deny him. But unlike the revenge the world thinks of, he sends forgiveness and
love, mercy and grace. A gift, for no one could afford it. So Jesus rests his
case, no matter what you believe, he is truth, and all others are liars. The
very forces that their lives depend on are in him and of him. There is no way
you can go through life without seeing his handiwork, or without his spirit
touching your life. But since his love is true, it demands a choice, a choice
not provided for Falling Rock. He even understood that love is not based on
tradition, the difference being he is legend, Jesus is real.
Now at Christmas time we see signs that tell us “wise men still seek him.”
But maybe those highway signs about Falling Rock carry more of a message than we
know. Jesus is the rock, and we are the fallen. But don’t tell the highway
department, they might think it is religious. For right there on the signs are
the invitation, to look for the rock of ages, who saved our souls, and changed
the world. All lies and legends are based on truth, only Jesus is truth. If
not already, some day you will come face to face with Jesus Christ. Whether you
like it or not. Remember those on Pentecost, if the spirit could change the
hearts of those who had seen him, imagine what he can do for you who hasn’t?
Sin will always be sin, thank God Jesus will always be Jesus.
Look out for falling rocks, but it is wiser to base your life on the rock.
Just like the wise man who built his house upon the rock, who you put your trust
in will make all the difference. And yes, wise men still seek him....the signs
are there....everywhere.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com