I Was There

I Was There

by David E. Ridenhour

Yes, I was there. I was there throughout the whole ordeal. But I was with him all along, right from the very beginning  I was with him in the wilderness. It was I who said, "If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread." I was trying to convince Him even then that He was a fool for believing He was the Promised One, that He could have any effect on mankind and its destiny. But He was too strong for me then. He pushed me aside and began His work. But I am not to be dismissed that easily.

I followed Him, and I attacked Him again and again. But I went about it in a different way. I lashed out at Him through His followers, those who came to hear His teachings. But again I failed. For His words warmed even the saddest of hearts, and blind received their sight, the lame walked, the dead returned to life.

But I was not to be out-done. I remained with His followers, and some of them I won. Through my efforts, some of them sought ways to trap Him, discredit Him, finally destroy Him. I even worked my way into His circle of friends. I convinced one of them to betray Him.

It took a lot of doing, but I had Him where I wanted Him. Because of me He said "Let this cup pass from me." He was wondering if it had to be this way. He was doubting the climax of His mission. Yes, He knew that I was there. He had seen my presence in the faces of His followers, and once again He was feeling my attempt to surround him.

I am Doubt.

And I was there. I was there, but I failed to destroy Him. Once again He dismissed my with "Not my will, but thine be done." I was there, but He overcame me.