PARABLE OF CORONA ARCH
THREE DETECTIVES ON VACATION
The Three Detectives are doing undercover work in Moab, Utah. Lead detective Jack holds a glass jar, Gloria takes down notes, and Valerie shoots videos of everything that is said.
Near the Arch, Jack comments, "Some people call Corona Arch the Little Rainbow Bridge."
A young couple overhearing him meets the detectives.
Tom says, "I have seen people climb on top of the arch and rappel down. His wife, Robin adds, "I can't even watch that kind of stuff."
Jack speaks, "We're here investigating the Natural Law of God."
Robin replies, "My husband Tom has a masters in Physics, and know all about the laws of nature."
Tom adds, "First law is Inertia, second law is Force and Acceleration, and third law is Action-Reaction."
Gloria speaks, "What if I climbed up on top of the arch and did a handstand during a windy afternoon?"
Robin answers, "You might fall off!"
Tom adds, "If you fall from 105 feet at 56 mph, it would only take 3 seconds to reach the bottom. Shall we talk about Newton's law of Gravity?"
Valeria smiles, "Were all the laws we observe in nature created by intelligent design, or random chance during billions of years?"
The couple is silent, contemplating an answer.
Gloria says, "Is there an unseen spiritual world? Could there be spiritual laws in the universe as important as the law of gravity? Could there be an intelligent creator of the universe?"
Jack adds, "We are investigating the Natural Law of God. Can you guess what it is?"
Robin replies, "Sorry, we're not religious."
Valerie reads, Jesus said, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
(Matthew 23:12 ESV - English Standard Version)
Jack comments, "This law is about Pride and Humility and the consequences. Tom, if you had to choose between modeling your life after Jesus or Lucifer, which one would you choose?"
Robin smirks, "Sometimes he's the devil."
Tom remarks, "Isn't there good and bad in everyone?"
Valerie reads, Lucifer, "Your pride and the music of your harps have been brought down to Sheol; Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you and worms are your covering.’
How you have fallen from heaven,You star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who defeated the nations!
But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit. (Isaiah 14:11-15 NASB - New American Standard Bible)
Gloria adds, "Lucifer is the example of Pride, wanting to exalt himself as the most high. God humbled him by throwing him the pit."
Valerie smiles, "Jesus is the example of Humility!"
Jack reads, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8 NLT - New Living Translation)
Robin says, "I never heard that before."
Jack says, "What happened when Jesus humbled himself?"
Valerie reads, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV - New International Version)
Tom speaks, "How does this apply to me and Robin?"
Valerie reads, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever therefore will humble himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4 LSV - Legacy Standard Version)
Gloria adds, "If I was prideful, showing off on top of the arch, God might send a gust of wind and bring me down to earth."
Jack speaks, "If let loose of the jar, will the law of gravity be responsible for breaking it?
Robin speaks, "I think it's too hard to be humble all the time."
Jack smiles, "You're right, you can't be humble unless God helps you. You have a choice to follow Jesus or Lucifer."
Tom speaks, "How do we follow Jesus?"
Jack speaks, "You need to turn away from your sins, have faith, trust in Jesus, and follow him."
Gloria adds, "You'll receive the Holy Spirit and become a new person in Christ."
Robin looks at Tom, "I don't want you to live like the devil anymore."
Jack concludes, "Would you like to pray and receive Jesus into your life? Would you like to have everlasting life with Jesus?"
Robin and Tom reply, "Yes!"
