Down from the Cross (21 page)

No one spoke. Every eye in the sanctuary focused on Keene. As soon as his feet touched the floor, he pulled free of the wrap and fell at the foot of the cross, his back hunched, weeping loudly and gasping for air.

Having no idea what had happened or why he asked to be taken down from the cross, Jane wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him. But instead, like everyone else on the stage, she remained motionless, confused by the scene playing out before her eyes.

Finally composing himself, Keene pulled himself to his knees. Every line of dialogue and every song he’d memorized while preparing for
Down from the Cross
came rushing to his mind. All thoughts of the people in the audience, the two men hanging on their crosses, his agent, his career, his future, had been set aside. Nothing else mattered except his relationship with a jealous but loving God. He, Keene Moray, was a sinner, just like Jane had said he was. Just like the Bible said he was. Why hadn’t he seen it before? How could he have been so closed-minded?

Using his last bit of strength and holding on to the cross, every ounce of pride he possessed gone, Keene slowly rose to his feet, lifting his eyes heavenward. He stood there a broken man, feeling lower than the lowest and gazing at the empty cross.

Then, raising his arms high above his head, he called out in a loud voice that boomed out over the microphone, “Father, I’ve sinned against You! I am not worthy to portray Jesus! I can go on with this farce no longer. I am begging for Your forgiveness! Take me, God!”

A sweet peace came over him as he stood there, and he Knew God had heard cry. He was forgiven.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You.

Relieved and pulling himself together, he turned slowly to face the audience. He had to let those who had not yet asked God to forgive them know that God loved them and allowed Jesus to die on the cross for them, too. They had to know that they, like him, could have eternal life.

Finally, he moved away from the cross, those in front of him parting. When he reached the front of the big platform, he held out his hands to the stunned audience. “Earlier tonight, someone I love very much reminded me that the Easter story isn’t just an interesting little story filled with symbolism. It is true. Every word of it. It really happened just like you have seen it portrayed here on this stage tonight. She called it the truest love story of all time. And now, thanks to God and His mercy, I know that’s true.”

He paused and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “God loved us so much He sent His only Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross for sinners like me.” Lifting his hand, he slowly gestured from one side of the audience to the other, pointing his finger. “And sinners like you. Don’t turn your back on Him like I did. This night, I have confessed my sins to Him and asked His forgiveness. I am turning my life over to Him. From this day forth, I am His. I want Him to use me in any way He sees fit.”

Turning and walking slowly back to the cross, he began to sing with great emotion a song he’d learned by listening to Jane sing it while she worked in his office.

Kneeling at the cross and wrapping his arms around it, he continued to sing.

When he had sung the last word, Pastor Congdon stepped onto the stage and took the microphone offered to him by one of the soloists. “We’ve all seen a miracle here tonight. One of God’s children has come into the fold. Like Keene, I am sure there are many of you who have never surrendered your heart to Christ. Do it now. Do not delay. The Savior is waiting.” He bowed his head as a lone violinist stood and played “Just as I Am.”

Hundreds of people thronged to the front to accept the invitation as Keene continued to hold on to the cross, weeping his heart out to his God.

Jane moved up close to him, wrapping her arm around his trembling shoulders.

Her prayers had been answered.

Later that night, after closing himself up with Pastor Congdon in his office, Keene drove Jane home. Neither of them could contain their excitement as they discussed the evening’s happenings.

“How could I have been so blind?” Keene asked, turning his car toward her street. “And stupid?”

Jane scooted close, as close as the console would allow, and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know when I’ve ever been this happy, Keene. You have no idea how hard I have prayed for you. I’m sure God got tired of hearing me plead with Him to touch your heart and make you know He’s real.”

“Your words kept haunting me last night, and I barely got any sleep at all. Then, this evening, when you came into my dressing room—well, your concern for me really got to me.”

“I didn’t want to upset you, this being your last night to sing, but I wanted so much to see you get right with God before you left Rhode Island.”

“Jane.”

“Yes.”

“I heard you last night, after the performance. I–I didn’t mean to listen while you were praying, but I came back to pick up my briefcase, and there you were.”

“How… how much did you hear?”

“All of it.”

He had to smile when he turned his face from the road long enough to gaze at the rosy blush on her cheeks. “I heard you say you loved me. Did you really mean it when you told that to God?”

“I–I guess, but I didn’t want you to know.”

“Why?”

She sighed. “For three reasons. One, you didn’t believe in God.”

“I do now.”

“Two. You’re going to be leaving Providence before long, and I may never see you again.”

“I think we can work that out. What’s the third reason?” She fidgeted in the seat before answering.

“Jane…”

“I knew… I knew you could never love me back. Not really love me, like I love you.”

Without taking his attention from his driving, he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I learned something else tonight.”

She lifted her eyes to his. “Oh? What?”

“That I do love you. Really love you.”

She sat up straight and stared at him, her eyes rounding in surprise.

“I think I’ve loved you from that first day, but I was too stubborn to see it. You were everything I wasn’t, and you made me feel guilty every time you talked about your God. I knew I was a sinner. I just didn’t want you to know it. You were so pure and godly it scared me to compare myself to you.”

He pulled the BMW up in front of her apartment house and turned off the engine. “Let’s get out of this car. I want to hold you in my arms, and I sure don’t want to have to crawl over this console.” He hurried around to her side, opened the door, and held out his open arms. Jane ran into them, wrapping her arms around his strong neck when he lifted her and whirled her around. “I love you, Jane Delaney.”

“I love—” Before she could finish her sentence, his lips sought hers, and he held her close. Feelings of love and adoration tugged at her heart. Keene loved her! He actually loved her!

“I’ve wanted to kiss you like this for so long,” he murmured. “Oh, I know I’ve kissed you before, but it wasn’t the same.”

She melded herself to him, reveling in his closeness. “I know. I feel the same way.”

He smiled down at her. “Remember what you said a couple of nights ago? That you could never have a permanent relationship with a man who didn’t share your faith?”

She gazed up at him, her heart so full she could barely remember her name. “I–I think so.”

His finger touching her lip, he gave her a coy smile. “You do realize that now that I’ve made my peace with God, your reason number three is no longer a problem.”

“Does that mean…”

“It means I’d like a permanent relationship with you.”

She eyed him quizzically. “How… how permanent?”

“Like for the rest of our lives! You know. The ‘M’ word. Marriage. I love you. I want you to be my wife.”

“Oh, Keene, as much as I’d love to marry you, I can’t. At least, not now. Not yet.” His frown broke her heart. “I’m not sure we would fit into one another’s world.”

“Jane, my dear, my beloved one, you wouldn’t have to fit into my world. Don’t you see? You
are
my world.”

“I love you for saying that, but as much as I love you, I love Christ more.
He
is
my
world, my life, my breath. My heart tells me you are the man for me, but my head tells me we have to wait. At least for a while. You’ve just accepted Christ. You know so little of what it means to live for Him. You need time to grow, and we need time together. Time to really get acquainted. I want us to read the Bible together, pray together, attend church together. But how would we ever do it? You’re never in one place very long.”

“I’ll reschedule a number of this year’s singing engagements, and I’ll continue to keep my office in Providence. Then once we’re married, you’ll be able to travel with me. We’ll see the world together.”

She gave her head a sad shake. “We have another problem. What about my mother? I could never go off and leave her. She’s much too frail to live alone.”

He appeared thoughtful. “I wouldn’t want you to leave her. Your dedication to those you love is one of the things that first attracted me to you. Not many people are as concerned about their elderly parents as you are. Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. We will work something out when the time comes. After all, she’s going to be my mother, too, when you decide to let me place a wedding ring on your finger.”

“What about—”

Pulling her quickly to him, his lips pressed hers, making it impossible for her to finish her sentence. Finally, he moved away, just enough to peer into her eyes. The love she saw there took her breath away. She smiled and was reassured when he smiled back.

“Do you honestly think God would have brought us together and put this love in our hearts for each other, and for Him, if He hadn’t wanted us to be together?” Cupping her face in his hands, he asked, “Where is your faith, Jane? Or is it that you don’t love me enough to want to spend your life with me?”

“My faith is strong—stronger than ever now that he has become your Savior, too. Oh, Keene. You will never know how happy it makes me to know you and I share the same faith. God has truly answered my prayers. And love you? I love you so much it hurts. Of course I want to spend my life with you! Let’s just take things slowly, okay?”

He kissed her again, a sweet, tender kiss that made her fingers tingle and her toes curl. “We’ll do it any way you want it.” His lips still lingering, he kissed her a third time. Finally, he pulled back, his hands going to cup her shoulders, his brow bearing a slight crease. “There’s something I have to tell you. Something I probably should have told you weeks ago.”

The seriousness in his voice frightened her. What could be that bad? Was he going to tell her he would be leaving for New York sooner than expected? Or that he had a wife in another city?