Halloween Scriptures

Inspired by the way that Reformist Martyrs made the Bible the most interesting of books, I read my children a Halloween story from the New Testament.

It’s about a man who lives alone in a graveyard, howling day and night, and walking about with broken chains dangling from cut, scarred, and bleeding arms and legs: more frightening than Jacob Marley because he is alive.

Jesus and disciples arrive by boat and this almost-zombie comes running desperately at Jesus shouting “Leave me alone!” And although there were probably disciples with Him who would have liked nothing more, Jesus looks at this man’s heart and moves to heal his tormented existence without introduction or flinching. In a bargain, Christ exchanges a herd of swine for this single man’s sanity: only to be rebuked by townspeople, who preferred the pigs.

Christ challenges me similarly: what am I willing to give up to let a brother come back? Pristine scent in Sunday meetings? Easy home teaching to active members? Minimal weight of church service? Lectures on the mysteries of God rather than statements of well-worn gospel truths? Recognition for serving a full-time mission and marrying in the temple? Am I willing to stand with the prodigal and be counted one of them, a beggar invited to the Lord’s table?

Like the prodigal’s brother, I must vigilantly defend myself from that which I may prefer to a returned prodigal, or be eaten by jealousy as Christ pours out His abundance in celebration.