He stood facing the sea in silence. There was no one around to talk to or to listen to. He’d been working a lot and was tired. He needed a hot meal but it’d have to be a while yet. Right now, these few moments of quiet were essential to his well-being. Also, the gentle pounding of the sea waves comforted him and greatly restored his strength.
Then he sensed a presence. After a few moments he heard breathing near him. It was sort of a raspy breathing. He knew, of course. He knew that breathing. For haunted eons he’d known it.
“Oh my, he’s contemplating!” the hoarse voice said. “Sweet, so sickly sweet. Why, it’s none other than the Prince of Peace, is it now? Am I lucky or what?”
The man’s silence continued as did the pounding of the waves.
“Well, thanks for the welcome! I just love being desirable company,” continued the voice. “And by the way, I need redeeming, man. You’re good at that, aren’t you? You going to do it? Hey, Gentle Saviour there, you going to redeem me? Are you the Son of Man or not?”
The quiet man looked slightly to his left. His face revealed no change in his worn, deadpan expression. He felt differently, however. He felt like slapping the repulsive owner of that voice clear across this sea in front of them. That’s what he felt. But wait, let history's greatest, unrivaled liar have his say. He’d heard it all before, anyway.
The man could feel and smell the other’s rotted breath on his face. He didn’t flinch.
“Are you hungry, Love?” the voice asked. “They do call you Love, don’t they? Give me a little kiss. I want the Lamb of God to kiss me a little and there will be no end to the things I’ll do for His Unique, Great Majesty. Right this moment. You have my word, you see. How about a sumptuous hot meal right here on this lovely sandy shore? One little kiss and you’ll have it. Is that asking too much?”
The quiet man spoke. “You’ve seen my wrath before. Need I remind you?”
“Oh, what have we? He’s decided to speak! I’m honored. Don’t you want the fancy meal? Such gratitude you show! This means I get nothing and you get nothing. Too bad, too truly sad. Amen. Will that help? You want me to say amen, man? That’s not hard. Cause I have no pride as you well know. You took care of that way way back. Do you still remember? I know, you don’t care to.”
“Do not play deaf,” the quiet man said firmly. “I will not be mocked. I’ll say this one more thing: Get some distance between us this very moment.”
“Or else?” the hoarse voice asked. “Daddy! This man. He’s frightening me!”
At that moment with teeth clenched, the quiet man looked out across the sea and raised his arms and hands upward as deafening thunder roared and lightning flashed boldly and destructively all around them. He, himself, was unperturbed by the dizzying chaos of the great noises and light show on all sides, but the pounding waves of the sea on that sandy shore there were witnesses to one of the most unpleasant, blood-curling screams you could ever imagine hearing.
Afterward, when all was once again calm, the quiet man slowly lowered his strong but tired arms and hands and turned to walk away from the shore. He seemed to be headed for the village nearby. Where there was hot food. Not a sumptuous meal, to be sure, but one that was at least delicious and nourishing and had no strings. Yeah, the Prince of Peace didn’t like strings attached.
