Hininto ni Manager Ratunil ang kotse sa gilid ng kalsada. Kita ko mula rito sa loob ang Boljoon church. May mga camera nang naka-set sa paligid. May umiikot pang drone sa itaas ng simbahan.
"Nak," tawag ni Tito. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Ngumiti siya at may kinuha sa storage sa dashboard. Isang libro. "You will never know who God is unless you read this book - the Bible."
Tinanggap ko 'yon at sinipat. "Makapal, Tito."
"Yes. That consist of Old and New Testament."
"Old and New Testament?"
"Old Testament is where you could find the story of creation of the world, the first man and woman, Mosaic law or the Law, the prophecies about the Messiah, the kings of Israel, and the prophets who became the messenger of God to the people of Israel."
Nilagay ko sa ibabaw ng hita ang Bible, at tiningnan si Tito. "Now that you've mentioned it, Tito... of all the countries over the world, why it has to be Israel? Like, in India where buddhism started, or other countries has their religion too. So that means... the Bible come from the religion of Israel? Like what's written here are what the religion of Israel teaches?"
Prenteng sumandal si Tito sa sandalan. "Israel is the chosen of people of God. God has ordained Israel to be holy and to set as an example to the whole world on how to live in holiness. But generations and generations, Israel fail to do their task. Until the day that Jesus was born."
"Jesus... Israelite pala Siya?"
"Yes." Ngumiti si Tito. "Hear the story on how it all begun...
From the first man and woman --- Adam and Eve, who fall short of the glory of God and made sin enter into the whole world --- that the earth was then filled with people. And God saw how wicked these people, except for one --- that is Noah."
"And...?"
"God destroyed His creation --- birds, animals, trees, even people. There was a great flood. Everything living on earth died except for Noah and everything that was with him in the ark. God appointed Noah to build an ark before the great flood, and they used it to survive 40 days and nights of nonstop downpour of rain. They survived because God saw that Noah is a righteous man."
Nawalan ako ng salita. I imagine how waters fell from the skies like waterfalls, and it reached twenty-five meters above the highest mountain.
"Noah had three sons --- Jappeth, Shem, and Ham. From the lineage of Shem, came Abram."
"Abram?"
"Abram is the man of faithfulness. He is what we know now as Abraham. He had a half-sister named Sarai - what we know now as Sarah - and married her. Together with his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot, they travelled to Canaan. Then God called Abram to move to a place far from his father's home, to the land that He will show to him. Abram then took his wife and his nephew Lot. But Abram and Lot separated when there was a quarrel between their possession.
As they grew old, Sarai and Abram did not have a child. Then God visited Abram and promised him that He will give him a child to Sarai. Then God changed his and his wife's name to Abraham and Sarah. And God keep His promise. Sarah gave birth to a boy and they called him as Isaac.
"Isaac..." Tumango-tango ako. I knew few men named Isaac but not the Isaac he is talking about.
Huminga nang malalim si Tito. "Isaac begot Jacob and Esau. From the seed of Jacob came the twelve tribes of Israel. Do you know who is Israel? That's Jacob. Israel became his name after he wrestled against a Man and prevails."
"The twelve tribes of Israel..." Tumango-tango ako. "I now understand why it is named Israel. They are the descendants of Jacob."
Ngumiti si Tito. "Yes. Reuben, Simoen, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. The twelve sons of Jacob. But some of the tribe fall short and was replaced by other tribe from the sons of the original twelve, such as Manasseh. From the seed of Levi came Moses."
"Moses?" Nangunot ang noo ko. Parang pamilyar. Parang narinig ko na ang pangalan kung saan.
"Moses was the friend of God. He was the one whom God entrusted for the ten commandments after the Israelite departed from Egypt."
"Oh." Napangiti ako. "Ten commandments!"
Natawa si Tito. "Parang excited ka, 'nak."
Nahihiya akong ngumiti. "I never thought that Old Testament is interesting." Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa Bible. "Kahit hindi ko pa nababasa, at nakikinig lang ako sa 'yo, Tito... masasabi kong marami akong matutuhan."
"Marami kang matutuhan." Ngumiti siya. "You can see how God moved in the lives of ancient Israelite. Parang sa kuwento ng buhay ni Joseph, isa sa mga anak ni Jacob, pinagbili siya ng mga kapatid para gawing alalay. They never thought that it was God who guide him towards Egypt, to save Israel's descendants from famine. You see, God moves in the way we never think of."
"Ang gandang kuwento nga, Tito."
Lumapad ang ngiti niya. "You can also find love stories in the Old Testament. Do you know the love story of Jacob and Rachel?"
Umiling ako.
"Jacob worked hard to win Rachel but on the day of their wedding, it was Leah - Rachel's older sister - whom he slept with. He then worked another seven years to win Rachel. In other words, Jacob waited for Rachel for fourteen years. What a love..." Umiling-iling si Tito. "Kung ako ang nasa posisyon ni Jacob, baka hindi ko nakayanan ang tagal."
Napangiti ako. "Love na love pala talaga ni Jacob si Rachel." Umikhim ako. "How about the New Testament, Tito? We've been talking a lot about the Old Testament. I want to know what's in the New Testament."
Natawa si Tito. "Sige." Umikhim siya. "There was fourteen generations from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the captivity of Israelite in Babylon, and another fourteen from the exile to the birth of Jesus Christ - the Messiah."
"Jesus Christ," manghang bulong ko. Is that the man Levi feared?
"Jesus Christ who is He, 'nak?"
"You've said that He is the Son of God.
"Yes." Ngumiti na naman siya. "Nangako ang Diyos ng isang Tagapagligtas, isang Messiah, na ibibigay Niya sa mga tao. Ang Messiah ay magmumula sa punla ni David na isang Israelite. Alam mo ba kung bakit kailangan natin ang Messiah?"
"No."
Bumuntong-hinga si Tito. "Dahil hindi kaya ng tao na iligtas ang sarili mula sa kapahamakan." Sumulyap siya sa gawi ko. "Nak, ang paglabag sa utos ng Diyos ay nangangahulugang kamatayan. Walang katapusang kamatayan."
Napatitig ako nang husto sa kaniya.
"Sadyang makasalanan ang mga tao. Hindi natin kayang maging mabuti, at kahit na naisin natin na gumawa ng kabutihan, nagkakamali pa rin tayo. 'Nak, the judgement of God is without partiality. Ibig sabihin, lumabag ka sa kahit isang utos lang, kamatayan ang kahahantungan mo."
"T-That great?"
"Oo, 'nak. Magsinungaling ka lang ngayon, kamatayan na ang naghihintay sa 'yo. Paano pa kaya ang mga taong pumatay, nagnakaw, nanggahasa, mapang-abuso, mapagmataas, inggit, at iba pang malalaking kasalanan? Kamatayan ang naghihintay sa atin, 'nak. Walang maliligtas. Wala kahit isa."
Napalunok ako sa intesidad ng sinabi niya. Naalala ko ang ginawang idolatry, 'yong pagsisinungaling ko kay Mama at Papa, 'yong pagsusungit ko sa mga tao, 'yong pride ko sa lahat ng bagay. I... I have sinned.
"Kaya magpasalamat tayo. God showed us mercy. Siya mismo ang nagbigay ng kaligtasan sa mga taong makasalanan. Siya ang nagbigay ng pagkakataon sa ating mamuhay kasama Siya. Siya mismo ang nagbigay ng tulay para makatawid tayo mula sa kamatayan patungong buhay. Alam mo kung gaano Siya kabait, 'nak? Walang kapantay. Walang katulad. At ang ibang tao, hinahamak Siya. He don't deserve the hate, He deserve all praise, glory, and honor."
"I-I'm sorry."
Marahan siyang ngumiti. "You can't imagine how people mocked Jesus at the cross. You can't feel the sorrow in His heart when He asked the Father to pass the cup of judgement. He prayed, 'nak. He prayed three times begging the Father to stop the torment he'll face. But what was wonderful in His prayer? He asked it not in His own will but the will of the Father."
"G-Grabe pala 'yong... sakripisyo Niya."
Nanubig ang mga mata ni Tito. "Jesus don't deserve to die, 'nak. Alam 'yon ng Diyos Ama. Pero anong magagawa Niya? Sobra na ang kasalanan ng tao. Kung hindi Niya ibibigay ang Kaniyang Anak, lahat tayo mapupunta sa impyerno. Kaya napakabuti Niya. We don't deserve the sacrifice of Jesus but because He loves us, He took the punishment that should be on us. He was crucified on the cross. He died because of our sins."
Napakurap ako nang manginig ang ibabang labi ko. Nagbaba ako ng tingin at pinahid ang luhang basta na lang tumulo mula sa mga mata ko.
"But He was resurrected. The Spirit of God resurrected Him from the grave."
"Is that even... possible?"
Ngumiti nang marahan si Tito. "Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit raised Lazarus from the dead. If God rose someone from the dead, then He will do it the same with His Son. When Jesus was raised in glory, there is now a hope for us that we will escape death through faith in Jesus Christ."
Tumango ako. "But God promise to the Israelite, right? Does it has something to do with us who are not Israelite?"
"Let's go back to the Old Testament. God said that He will made Abraham a father of many nations.
He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20).
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of law (Israelite), but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)."
Nangunot ang noo ko habang pinoproseso ang sinabi niya. "That means... it is the faith of Abraham that made him righteous? And that because of his faith... all nations will be blessed?"
Tumango si Tito. "God is really merciful. He gave you wisdom to understand these things. 'Nak, not all people will understand what we've talked about."
"I see." Tumango ako. "So Jesus can help me overcome Levi?"
"All authority is given in the name of Jesus. 'Nak." Seryosong tumitig sa akin si Tito. "This is a spiritual warfare. You cannot win against them unless you ask Jesus to guide and protect you, and use the authority that Jesus has given to you."
"The authority?"
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by means hurt you (Luke 10:19)."
"It means..."
"By the authority you have in Jesus name, he cannot hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20)."
"W-Written in heaven?"
Ngumiti siya. "It is good for you that your name will be written in heaven, so you will have the full protection of God. 'Nak, remember, it is impossible for the devil to confess that Jesus is the Lord. It is the Holy Spirit who will make people to believe in Jesus, and confess that He is Lord. When you have the authority by the name of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit, it only means that you are already saved, and God's Spirit resides in you."
"I-I want to be saved... Tito."
Umupo siya nang maayos at bumaling sa akin. Seryoso ang titig. "Do you believe in Jesus? That He died, buried, and resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit? That through His sacrifice, you were saved from sin and death. That through His wounds, you are healed?"
"Y-Yes." Napapikit ako at napabuga ng hangin. "Y-Yes... I ... I.." Nangunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko masabi nang diretsahan. "T-Tito, I-I bel... believe... in J-Jes... Jesus." Napahawak ako bigla sa dibdib.
May pumipigil sa akin. May sumasakal sa akin! Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at naghabol ng hinga.
"Nak, Rishell. Rishell!"
Hirap akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya at nahawak sa leeg. "I-I bel... believe in... J-Jes..."
"Satan! This girl you are holding is of Jesus Christ! She is not yours! Let her go! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I command you to flee from her!"
Napahawak ako sa dashboard nang maramdaman ko ang paggapang ng insekto sa tiyan ko. Hingal ko 'yong pinagpag pero hindi nawawala. Gumagapang 'yon kung saan-saan! Naiyak ako. "J-Jesus... J-Jesus help me!" hagulgol ko.
Bigla akong napasandal sa glass window. Napatingala ako at napaungol. Bigla, bumuka ang bibig ko at narinig ko ang kakaibang boses. "You fool. You cannot win. This girl is mine. This girl has signed a contract to me. She belongs to my lord!" Sinapo ko ang bibig para takpan ang malagong tawa na pinapakawalan ko.
Mas lalo akong naluha. Hindi ako 'yon! Hindi ako 'yong nagsalita!
"In Jesus name, I bind all demonic presence in this girl's body to burn! All weapons form against this girl I command thee to backfire in the name of Jesus Christ! Say it aloud, Rishell. Say it aloud!"
Sumigaw ako at nagwala. Tinaas ni Tito ang kamay at may puwersang pumigil sa akin na lumabas ng kotse. Kinalmot ko ang glass window. Umungol ako. Ilang mura ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Hiningal ako. Pinagpawisan ng malagkit.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23)."
Kumuwala ang isang malagong ungol sa bibig ko. Nanginig ang kalamnan ko. Bigla na lang isang malalim na halakhak ang kumuwala sa bibig ko. "You. Can. Not. Win!" sigaw na kumuwala sa bibig ko.
"In the flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)."
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-2)."
"The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10)."
Mas lalong nagwala ang loob ko. Kinalmot ko na pati ang pisngi at braso ko. Nanginig ang katawan ko sa puwersa. Ayoko na. Ayoko na!
"L-Leave me alone..." Humingal ako. "In the name of Jesus Christ, I c-command you demon to flee away! For I belong to Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died for my sins, buried in the tomb, and raised from the dead! I belong to God! In Him alone!"
Isang malakas na sigaw bago unti-unting lumupaypay ang katawan ko sa passenger seat.
Naiyak ako. "P-Please... help me. I-I don't want them again, T-Tito."
"Confess it Rishell and believe with all your heart that He raised from the dead."
Nakagat ko ang labi. "Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I know that I am not worthy for I am a sinner. Please, forgive me. I-I accept you as my Saviour and Lord. I believe that you took the punishment of my sins, and You rose from the dead. Jesus, I commit my life to You. And help me to live for You, Lord."
Napahagulgol ako. Unti-unting nawalan ng pakiramdam ang kalamnan ko. Hindi ko kayang itaas ang kamay, at hindi ko ramdam ang paligid.
Narinig ko ang sinabi ni Tito. "Father, in the name of Jesus, holy and worthy of all praises, glory, and honor. You, who has the dominion over all in heaven and earth, I thank You for Your mercy that You've shown to Your daughter. I ask for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. May Your presence be with us. Amen."