The Wall

The following is one of my fables. I got the idea from a message I heard from an old minister who spoke on the barriers to Hell.

The Wall By Mary Elizabeth Bobo

A long time ago in a land far away, there lived two little boys, called Jacob and David. They were neighbors and the best of friends. The boys lived in a small village that had only two roads leading in or out of it. One road was wide and smooth, but it led to a very wicked city. The other road was narrow and difficult to pass, but it led to a city that was very good. From time to time, the boys would speak about their futures, and the taller of the two, Jacob, would often say, “When I grow up, surely I will follow the wide, and smooth, and easy way.” His little friend, David, would reply, “It may be narrow and difficult, but the straight and righteous way is for me!” As the years passed, David began to worry about Jacob’s future. You see, there were traveling men who occasionally came to town, and they always said the same thing: one day the good King of all kingdoms would visit the wicked city that lay at the end of the wide, smooth way. He would surely be unhappy with all the worldliness and selfishness that He should find. That day, He would destroy the land and all who lived there. They also spoke of the King’s Son. They said that it was He Who had forged the straight and narrow way which led to the righteous city. If any would simply turn from the wicked path and trust the one that the King’s Son had made, they would reach His lovely city. Little David was terrified to think that his friend might take the path that led to destruction. He begged Jacob to change his mind, but the taller boy refused. So when David could not prevail on his friend to listen, he decided to try something else.

The next day David went to the bricklayer and bought one brick. The man asked him what he intended to do with just one. David explained that his friend had decided to go to the dangerous city which was sure to be destroyed, and he wanted to stop him. The bricklayer shook his head. One brick will not stop someone determined on leaving, but the little boy insisted.

The years passed while David and Jacob grew and grew. Finally, Jacob, now a tall young man, said to his sad neighbor that the day had come for him to begin his journey to the wicked city. David followed him all the way to the wide path crying and pleading with Jacob to change his mind. The taller ignored him, continuing till he came to the hill where the path began. On the left side of the path was a mountain cliff and on the right was a large river running rapidly. Jacob wasn’t worried, because the path in between was wide and smooth. But as he came closer he saw a large brick wall. It stretched from the mountain to the river and was thirty feet high. Shocked he turned and looked at little David who was smiling. “Every day for the last twenty years, I have laid just one brick on this wall.” He explained. “Should you really desire to be destroyed in that city of wickedness, I cannot stop you, but you’ll have to climb over my wall.”

Jacob threw himself against the wall trying to climb, but it was very well built without any holes for his hands and feet to grip. And though Jacob was a very tall man, he was no match for the 30 foot obstacle that lay solidly in his way. Still, he continued trying, again and again until he was completely exhausted. Finally, he sat down on the ground and leaned his back against the wall to rest. He looked at his little friend who was still smiling. Jacob knew that in order to get to the city now, he would have to go all the way back to the village and get a ladder or rope or something else to help him get over this enormous wall. He wondered something. “David,” he asked, “Why have you spent your time and effort every day on this wall for the last twenty years when you know very well, that if I want to, I can climb over it?” David smiled and replied, “Because – I love you.” Jacob thought about this a moment and lifted himself up from sitting against the strong wall. “Very well, little brother,” he proclaimed, for truly he loved David as a brother, just as much as David loved him, “Let’s go to your righteous city.” And off they went. They did not turn to the left hand or to the right. They continued the two of them, along the straight and narrow path out of the village until they reached the city. What they found there was more than even the ever hopeful David could’ve dreamed.

It was the most beautiful city that had ever been built. The gates themselves seemed to be made of jewels, but jewels that were more precious and pure than any eye had ever seen. The streets were not made of stone or dirt, but they were made of gold which was so pure, you could see right through it. There were no shadows anywhere because the light of the city did not come from the sun, which sets and rises. It came from the goodness of the Great King Who never changes. There could not be shadows, because there was not any place in the beautiful city untouched by the King’s goodness. It was much more beautiful than the travelers had described, because a place as good and wonderful, full of truth, kindness, and beauty, as this city cannot be accurately expressed with only words. They must be experienced. Also, the city had a very special magic about it, for anyone who entered its gates could never grow tired or old, get sick or be hurt, or ever die. In fact, it was impossible to be unhappy at all. David and Jacob entered the city eagerly, so happy they had come. They soon forgot all the troubles they had ever had in their old village. In fact, they forgot many things, except one very important detail. Jacob would tell others as they entered the city that he too, had once lived in another land –he didn’t remember the name of the village, or what the streets were made of, or how the landscape looked, but one thing he remembered with perfect clarity. On the path that should have led him to destruction there was a beautiful, beautiful wall.

Many Christians have family and friends, or loved ones who do not know Jesus Christ. Even though we have presented the Gospel, pleaded with them, and cried, still they have not turned away from the destructive path that leads to hell. Remember that our prayers though they seem little to us, just as one brick may seem small, are powerful in the hands of our Almighty God. Our lost loved ones may seem determined to take a path that leads to death, but if they insist on going that way, build a beautiful wall of prayer.

The End