Wonder Juction: Day 5

Dilly Clyde: No, just the opposite. You’ll see.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

Vera: Morning pa!

Oh, good morning, Vera.

Vera: Still no Buford?

No, Im sorry to say.

Vera: What are we gonna do? He could turn up at the jamboree!

I really doubt he could’ve gotten thtat far. No, Im sure hes still in town somewhere. We just need to keep our eyes peeled.

Vera: I just hate knowing theres a rattler on the losse in Wonder Justion. What if he bites someone?

I dont know, Vera. But Im sure they’ll get a warning first.

Yeah, thats one good thing about rattlesnakes.

So, what do you think?

Vera: Well, its lookin better, thats for sure! Youre gonna remove the flowers though, arent you?

I dont know…..

Vera: What??? Pa, you got to!

Dilly Clyde was excited about her “artistic display and ,well…. I’d like to give her some encouragement.

Vera: But she’s in jail. She’s not gonna see it… but we sure will.

I understand. But you know, it’s kinda growing on me.

Vera: You’re kidding

And you know what, the kids just might like it the way it is. They’re not just little adults, ya know. They think differently. And who knows, perhaps it’ll spark a conversation about flowers and creativity and God’s beautiful creation.

Dilly Clyde: Reverent! Miss Vera! I’m so glad you’re here. We’ve been looking all over for ya. You gotta help us!

What’s wrong?

Nettie Zelma: The Calamity Gang did it!

What?

Dilly Clyde: Yep… they burst into the sheriff’s office an’ tied up the marshal faster than a calf-ropin’ cowboy!

A calf-ropin’ cowboy?

Vera: Pa! we gotta do something!

Right…. first thing’s to et the marshal out. We’re gonna need him.

Dilly Clyde: But how’re ya gonna do that?

I dont know. We’ll figure something out.

Vera: Maybe there is a spare key somewhere.

Yeah, let’s hope so. C’mon… and be careful!

Jack: Rats! I reckon I made a wrong turn somewhere.

That you did, son…. a long time ago.

Jacl: Guess our luck ran out.

No. There’s no such thing as “luck",” boys. But there is a God, and I’d advise you to get right with him. Need help Marshal?

Marshal: No thanks. I’ve got ‘em. But you can return the goods to the bank.

Okay, we’'ll do that.

Vera: Oh Pa…. he’s lookin kinda thin and rubbery. I better get him home where he belongs!

Yeah, go on. But remember to lock the cage door this time.

Vera: Dont worry. He wont get away again. I’ll make sure of it.

Yeah, I’ve heard that before. (Vera exits) Well, you two….. thanks for what you did. You could have taken the easy road and just run for it, but you didnt. You chose to do the right thing… (Dilly and Nettie exchange glances) And now a bank robbery was foiled, and the infamous Calamity Gang is in jail. Well done!

Nettie: Ya mean, YOU wouldn’ta done no different, Dilly Clyde. Truth is… if itd been up to me, we woulda been long gone.

Im sorry to hear that, but I do appreciate your honesty.

Nettie: Yeah but now Im glad it wasnt up to me

Really? Whys that?

Dilly: That makes two of us Reverend!

Wow! Well, there’s so much more to tell. I think the last thing we talked about was Jesus dying and rising from the dead.

Dilly: So, what happened next?

After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to many people, proving that he was alive. And he also gave his followers a job to do.

Nettie: What was it?

To go tell the whole world about him.

Dilly: The whole world? Thats a might big job, Reverend!

It is… and we’ve been doing it for the last 2,000 years!

Nettie: So, where is Jesus now?

Thats a great question. The Bible says 40 days after he had risen from the dead, Jesus was with his followers. He was taken up into heaven right before their eyes until a cloud hid from their sight.

Dilly: Whoa! That musta been somethin’ to see! Wish I coulda been there!

It was a wonder of wonders, for syre! So, Nettie Zelma… to answer your question, Jesus is in heaven until he returns.

Nettie: Returns? So, he’s comin’ back?

Absolutely! We dont know when, but someday Jesus is gonna come back, and everyone will see him. Then he’s gonna right all wrongs and set up his eternal kingdom. Those who love him and are in his family will be with him forever and ever. And things will be so different… there’ll be no more crying, or pain, or disease, or death, and nothing bad will ever happen again! Its gonna be wonderful! (Nettie and Dilly look at each other) What is it?

Nettie: Just like you and Miss Vera

I am so happy to hear that! Its the BEST decision you could ever make! C’mon, lets get this back to the bank, and then we’ll go somewhere where we can open a bible and pray.