At Camp Bountiful in the summer
of 1995, I had an experience which I think I will remember for the rest
of my life. Like many others who attended, all that week I had been praying
for a personal testimony. On Friday, my prayer was answered.
That night before campfire we
were having a special service at the serious end of a talent show. One
of the counselors was doing a portrayal of Mary Magdalene, one of the women
who went to prepare Jesus' body for burial. When Mary got to the tomb,
she found that the huge stone that was covering the front of the tomb was
rolled away. An angel sitting on top of the stone told Mary that Jesus
was risen. As she was talking, some of the counselors started singing,
"Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
I was sitting there, just thinking
and sort of imagining what it would have been like to be there as Jesus
was crucified. As I was looking at the wall, a blurry image appeared. I
could tell that it was the face of Jesus while He hung on the cross to
die. On His face was an expression that words cannot describe. It was so
loving, kind, caring, and gentle; yet at the same time it was hurt, as
if to say, "Why are you doing this to Me?" At that moment I felt loved
as I've never felt loved before. I was as sad but also as joyful as I've
ever been.
Then, as a scene in a movie
changes, the image changed to show Jesus lying on His cross on the ground.
His hands and feet and side were covered in blood, as was His shoulder-length
brown hair. His face, with its beard and mustache, was still; for He was
dead. I was so deeply moved that I started to cry.I could not help it,
even though I hate to cry in front of other people.
As we left to go outside for
campfire, I was still crying. A friend from my cabin had no idea what was
going on. She thought I was just joking, so she came up to me and started
to joke around. When I told her what had happened, though, she stopped
and put her arm around me. She looked about ready to cry, too.
As time goes on, I forget some
of the details, but I'm sure that I will never forget the way I felt that
night. It was God's way of showing me that His Son Jesus Christ died and
rose again for me.
Reprinted from Restoration YOUTH
Magazine #34,
Copyright, 1996, Sionita School,
Inc.."Used with permission."
Christian Youth Review
