This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Professor Peanut Weaselgadget and the Proposition of Snyde

“I see, ” said the Professor. “Come with me,” he continued.

Nicolletta released an audible gasp at the Professors agreement.

The fox, now thoroughly pleased with himself, grinned wider as he followed the weasel to the back of the dim laboratory. Burning carbon stung his lungs as he passed a row of small burners. Their blue flame held steady under some unknown list of substances. Soon they were standing before a wall to wall bookshelf.
The Professor reached for A New System of Chemical Philosophy and pulled the spine gently towards him.

The ground began to shake beneath them.

A square outline soon became visible on the floor near to where they were standing. The fox watched as the square divided itself into rectangles, and sunk into place as a dark stairwell leading down below the musty laboratory.

The Professor descended several steps before he noticed the fox had not moved to follow him.

The shadow of a single flame danced on the narrow passage through which they were now walking. The fox ducked down as his paw felt the cold Earth of the passage wall as he followed behind the weasel. A light breeze caused his fur to bristle.

“I do apologize Mr. Synde. I had this passage constructed for creatures smaller than yourself. It won’t be long before you have your poison. I believe that I have what you are looking for.”

The passage opened into another laboratory. The Professor stopped at a table near the center.

“Mammal, reptile, bird, or something else?” He asked.
“Mammal”
“Large or small?”
“Large”

The fox watched as the Professor carefully inspected a row of test tubes arranged neatly on the table. Taking two and comparing their measurements, he poured the contents into a larger beaker and handed it to the fox.

“Is this it?” The fox asked quizzically.
“No. This is for you to drink.”
“I refuse.”
“I strongly recommend you drink it,” insisted the Professor.
“Any why is that?”
“Because it is the antidote for the toxic gas in this room.”
The fox’s eyes went wide.
“You’ve poisoned me!”
“Yes, but I’m also saving you. Now drink up!”

The fox hurriedly lifted the beaker and downed the remaining fluid. The weasel then took another test tube, placed a cork in it, and handed it to the fox.

“Mr. Snyde. This poison is technically a common virus combined with a delicately balanced pyrogen inhibitor.”
“Pyrogen?”
“Yes, the chemical in the bloodstream responsible for an increase in temperature.”
“You mean fever?”
“Of course. The poison is not that the host cannot detect the virus, but that it cannot defend itself against it. I obviously cannot use common poisons or else risk incriminating myself you see, and so must resort to…unorthodox methods.”
“I understand,” said the fox, with a look of complete bewilderment.
“If the host were to successfully develop a fever, the virus would be gone in a few hours. However, in the absence of one the host will expire within the day.”
“This is excellent Professor. Thank you.”
“Good. Now to show you out.”

The fox lifted his jacket off of the rack now surrounded by a puddle of water. Nicolletta hadn’t moved since they had disappeared beneath the laboratory. She whimpered softly in the corner horrified at the Professors inexplicable change in character.
The fox reached for the handle.

“Ah! Mr. Snyde, two more things I should mention concerning the poison.”
“Yes. Professor?”
“Too much of the inhibitor in the host’s bloodstream will alert him that something is amiss and he will compensate, a fever will develop, and he will be cured. Too little and he will develop a fever outright.”
The fox laughed.
“Then I shall be sure to give him all of it! What was the second thing Professor? It really is getting late.”
“There was no toxic gas.”

The Silence of Unrest

And so the protagonist rises from panic to peace to do the impossible.
And are we not commanded to do likewise?

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

– John 14:27

Do not let your heart be troubled.
Though your antagonist may bring sharp clawed circumstances, and God-isn’t-that-good cunning, and you are fresh out of choices whispers in your ear.
Do not let your heart be troubled.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
– John 16:33

We believe in the goodness of that first Protagonist, embrace the peace that He has given, and so rise as fellow protagonists of the Kingdom.

And the trouble of the world isn’t merely conquered. It is overcome.

To deny the poison was conquering.
“Yes, but I’m also saving you. Now drink up!”
that’s overcoming.

Photo: gsfc - (CC BY 2.0)

Photo: gsfc – (CC BY 2.0)

The Biggest Battlefield

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
– John 18:36-37

Jesus is on trial with Pilate. He sees the crowd, but perceives their eternity.
The poisons already in their veins.
And though the shouting breaks His heart.
He can save them.
All of them.
And so He endures the cross.
All for joy.

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

1 Corinthians 15:55

 

 

#inthirds

 

 

RESPONSE: Belief is crucial to victory. How do you continually remind yourself to believe truth? Share in the comments for the edification of all!

Series Navigation<< Professor Peanut Weaselgadget and the Proposition of Snyde – Part I