Heartbeat

.

Within the desert valley of the Nile, laid the large, sun-baked city of Cairo.  As it stood in the shade less desert valley, Cairo barely endured the scorching heat blazing from the high noon sun.  It was one of the hottest days of the year so far, 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
     A dusty dirt road wound through the east side of the city, in the slums of the Manshiyat naser, which was covered with sandy rocks.  The rocks seemed to be melting into powder from the sun’s heated radiation.
     A pair of dark, leathery feet only covered with flimsy sandals, briskly strode across the yellowish colored road, winding his way through the busy, overstuffed crowd.  Invisible.  The road felt like hot coals against his feet more as the time walked by.
     Eli’s long, white hair and beard blew in the desert breeze, his gentle hazel eyes were intense and fervently examining the Egyptian environment around him.  Oddly grave.  Making his countenance seem older than he usually appeared.  Eli had existed for eons beyond time, one of the few of the angelic who was created by YHWH before the Ancient Days.  He had been serving his Lord as commander in chief of the angelic scribes of YHWH for countless of eons.  It had become tiresome business ever since the creation of Man.
     Eli paused briefly in his steps, taking time to survey the scene before him, solemnly.  He let his busy thoughts drown out the dizzying market noise, and inhaled a mind clearing breath through his nostrils.  Cairo, the capital of the nation of Egypt, was the political and cultural center of the Arab world.  But within the slums of Manshiyat naser and the City of the Dead, it was a place of garbage, poverty, hunger, and filth.  But for Eli, the Ancient Scribe of YHWH, it was the meeting place set by Yeshua himself.  For reasons Eli had no clue.
     Eli picked up his pace, and turned to his right down through a narrow alley, which had two tall sandy colored stone buildings towering over it.  He stepped out of the alley, and approached a flight of stairs that led to the rooftop of a large super market.  After mounting the stairs, he strode to the far end of the building, and looked out unto the vast city.  Searching.
“Seek, and ye shall find Me,” Eli brought to his remembrance.  The Words of Yeshua.
     “And so you will.”
Eli spun around to the familiar voice.  He stood there standing before Eli, clothed in a simple tunic made from a very coarse material.  Eli found the cloth quite a discomfort for wearing, but that’s what He wore on most days.  Eli remembered when he had asked Him why He wore it so often, even though he knew it was a childish thing to ask.
     “Because I choose to love is why I choose to wear this,” He answered.
This was roughly less than two thousand years ago.  And Eli had yet to understand.
     Eli studied the One before him.  Though he had seen this same Being for eons beyond eons of time, Yeshua never ceased to amaze him.  The Creator of the universe.  The Wonder of all wonders.  God, who was also the Son of Man, brought down to human form.  The concept was amazing.
     Yeshua casually walked toward him, a mischievous smile curving on his lips.  He bent over the three foot guard wall, rested both of His elbows on the top of it, and folded His hands together, forming an upside-down V with His arms.
     Finally, He turned to face Eli, His eyes still lit.
     “Walk with me,” He said, His smile widening.  Eli obeyed, following Jesus to the bottom of the staircase.  They passed through the overcrowded streets, which was filled with pedestrians of every class and kind, beggars of every age lined the sidewalks and corners, and shouting merchants and street venders selling their merchandise.  It was hectic.  Yeshua seemed captivated though, as He walked, as if every face was a memorable one, one that was a long lost friend.  One that He was yearning for desperately to be united with.  This was, after all, his most cherished creation.
     Abruptly, Yeshua stopped walking, his determined eyes piercing the atmosphere, thinking.  And so, Eli waited.  Yeshua stood still, bowed His head, eyes closed.  Eli watched Him, mixed emotions boiling inside of him.  He had seen Yeshua do this millions of times.  This was the heart of God calling out to His chosen ones.  Suddenly the air exploded with vibrant fervor, as His arms collided with the sky.  A bloodcurdling scream shifted the universe, as the Lord cried out to the heavens.  His voice choked with emotion.
     “Hear My voice, oh Earth!  Hear My voice, My bride!  The Lord who is One has called you!  Behold, many are called,” His voice rasped in His throat, as He sobbed, “but few are chosen!”  Suddenly like an explosion of fire, the cry broke out unto the entire world, erupting a blast.  Like a breakthrough, somehow.
     Yeshua lowered his arms, and took in a deep breath.  He turned to face Eli, His expression bearing a limp smile, but His eyes were saddened.  Not the look of grief, but of the essence of love.  This was the truth of the cross.
And He was still carrying His.
    “Is there not one, Eli?”  He asked.
Eli looked away from Yeshua’s piercing gaze.  The truth was Eli couldn’t find one human who was capable of this calling of Yeshua.  Who was worthy to contain His heart?  Who was capable to share this heartbeat in a way that is impossible to the human understanding?  To Eli, it was a impossible pursuit.  But he knew that He would never give up.  To the ends of eternity, He would keep trying.  That was the miracle of His love.