Christian Fiction - "Shortwave"

“Shortwave”

 @deaconbillgoss

Inspiration: John 11:51  (NABRE) “He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation”

  

The garbled shortwave broadcast said, “It is over. We hope for a miracle. If you believe in God, pray for us and the whole world.”

*****

The UN medical team had been fighting known pandemics threats (and ones the world never new about) for years. They always helped but not now. People were dying from an unknown.

The first victim on day one grew to victim 22 by day nine. The team came but couldn’t save anyone. Day 34, the village was dead. Day 36, the first team member died, despite protocol and protective clothing.  Day 37, the UN began extreme quarantine procedures.

No help came from governments or the UN. Medical supplies air dropped were no help. The UN Troops enforced quarantine lines by deadly force. Several team members’ lay where they were shot, their friends too sick to retrieve their bodies.

The team tried to contact loved ones; but, all communication was blocked. The outside world was ignorant of the pending world calamity. No reporters or internet or cell phones allowed. But, someone had found a shortwave radio stashed in an empty government building. Just like the one that was their father’s hobby.

A garbled message was broadcast over shortwave hoping someone would hear. Speaking for the team, the leader said weakly, “It is over. We hope for a miracle. If you believe in God, pray for us and the whole world.”

The shortwave radio message was spread by gossip and social media. Prayers were started In bedrooms and at kitchen tables, at churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. All the dispersed children of God prayed.

*****

Calmly, He walked pass the guards and the quarantine zone. He smiled and spoke to the guards. No one challenged him or remembered what he said. All they knew was His peace. Peace was in His face, words, actions, and His entire being. No one asked any question.

He came with the rising sun at His back. Those who prayed were the first to run to Him. They fell at His feet.

“You believe. See the glory of God,” He said softly and then. “Come to me!”

They rose, alive. First the children came to Him; the innocent always die first. Then those of faith came: religious men and women in the same nursing habits in which they had been buried.  Mothers and fathers came. Those who were left, all that were alive, even those who had not believed came to Him.

His smile was love and hope. He smiled at their faith. He made a gesture, like a short wave. It was full of peace and then He was gone from among them.