No More Tambourine

It’s said the new star indicates the birth of a great prince,†said the trembling servant. The Sorcerer didn’t take the news well and immediately called for the servant’s execution. The Sorcerer’s only fear was an ancient prophecy which stated that a prince of Otherworld would someday destroy his evil reign.

“No prince can stop me.†The Sorcerer cast a spell over the land rumored to be the prince’s birthplace. Soon, a local ruler sent soldiers to murder all the baby boys of the realm. And there was great weeping in the land.

Many years later, the Sorcerer began to hear reports of a
humble country teacher gathering a growing band of followers.
Was it possible the prince had survived the massacre of the babes? Disguising himself as a wise man, the Sorcerer tracked down the peasant out in the wilderness. The young man appeared unremarkable in body, yet he was strong in spirit. He refused every enticement the Sorcerer had to offer.

“Nothing you can say will steer me from my Father’s path for me.â€

The Sorcerer left the encounter frustrated. Prince or pauper, this man could threaten his plans. He decided to end the man’s popularity once and for all. “I will cause his own people to despise and reject him,†the Sorcerer laughed viciously. His deceptive spell worked so well that soon the people were easily persuaded to call for the man’s death. They claimed he was causing civil unrest, and the man endured a grisly execution.

Yet the very event that brought the Sorcerer great satisfaction became his undoing. A power far greater than the Sorcerer’s brought the Prince back to life. The High King of Otherworld, in His great love for His Son and His people, had broken the chains of death.

Soon the risen Prince claimed the world of the Sorcerer as His own kingdom. The Sorcerer and his servants were imprisoned forever, and the Prince established an ever-after reign of peace and justice for all who willingly became His loyal subjects. • Marie Cleveland

• In this allegorical story, the Sorcerer, who represents Satan, is trying to defeat the Prince, who represents Jesus. But God’s love is greater than any power the enemy has. How does knowing the lengths that Jesus went to—because He loves us—affect your everyday life?

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Genesis 16:1-16; Psalm 139:13-18