Tom was standing on a long extension ladder that was leaning against a coconut tree. That tree must have been about 30 feet tall. In his hand he had a long pole with a saw on the top. Soon a cluster of coconuts came crashing down to the ground. We all helped carry them over to the compost pile. Then Tom took a large machete, over two feet long, and began slicing through the tough outer husk. Working only on one side of each nut, he soon exposed the hard inner shell. Then he made two holes through that shell into the nut and drained off the “coconut milk.” Finally, after opening a half-dozen coconuts, he had collected a pitcher full of coconut milk and a big pan full of coconut meat. We were soon to have a real treat, something that we had never had before—fresh coconut ice cream!
Cream, eggs and sugar were added to the chopped coconut meat. This was all poured into a container inside the ice cream freezer. Ice and salt surrounded it. We took turns turning the handle of the freezer until the thick, rich ice cream was just right.
It had taken Tom all afternoon to prepare this treat for us to share. We all ate it slowly and greatly enjoyed the delicious, fresh flavor of coconut ice cream. We really appreciated all the work he had done to make this possible. We told him how much we enjoyed it and thanked him over and over.
When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we confess to Him that we are sinners. God sent His Son here to open the way for sinners to live in heaven someday. That way is open for all who trust in the finished work of Christ to take away their sins forever. In John 17:44I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (John 17:4), speaking to His Father, the Lord Jesus says, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” The work is all done, never to be done again. “This Man [the Lord Jesus Christ], after He had offered one sacrifice [Himself] for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:1212But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12)). There is nothing now for us to do but believe. Then we know that our entrance into heaven is sure!
We really enjoyed our fresh coconut ice cream. Perhaps someday we will taste it again. But there isn’t a pleasure or a treat on this earth which could be as wonderful as the joy we have as Christians. We have the joy of knowing that our sins are gone forever and of soon being with our Savior in heaven! There is nothing for us to do but believe and then thank Him for dying on the cross for us.
ML-08/19/2018