"What?"

      The man pointed to the very last figure in the line. "Do you see that last person? He went to my church."

      "You know him?"

      "Oh, yes. We worked in the kids ministry together." The man paused a moment. "He was a nice guy, a good man, but when I didn't see him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, I figured that he must not have made it after all."

      "Why do you say that?"

      "Well, he seemed like a Christian and all, but every once in awhile he would say something strange and it made us wonder if his heart was in the right place."

      "What would he say?"

      "He would hold his hands above his head, spread wide apart, and say, 'I hope I get a crown this big'."

      "Oh, really."

      "Yeah. We tried to tell him about crown-seeking and things like that, but he would just smile and hold his hands up and say 'this big'. He just didn't get it."

      "That's too bad." said the friend, looking at the man in the line. The line was steadily getting smaller. "I wonder what Jesus will say about it."

      "I don't know, but I'm glad He won't be saying it to me."

      "I wonder what kind of crown he'll get?" said the friend.

      "I don't know, but I hope he'll be happy with it. It would be a shame to be disappointed with it because it wasn't big enough."

      "Maybe he's changed his mind."

      "Maybe. We'll see."

      They looked on as each person in the line, one-by-one, went before Christ. All followed the same pattern. On their knees they would cry as they realized where they had failed Jesus or had missed blessings and opportunities on earth. Then Jesus would wipe the tears from their eyes and honor them for what they did do for Him. Then He would present them with a crown before the Father, and they would return to their seat. The pattern repeated until the last man came forward. He, too, fell to his knees and lamented before his Lord. And like the others before him, Jesus raised him up again, wiping the tears from his eyes.

      "Here it comes." said the man to his friend.

      The man before the Throne knelt as Jesus reached behind Himself and brought out a huge crown. It was over twice the size as any of the other crowns and was very beautiful, lined with fine furs and studded with gems. Jesus placed it on the man's head and the man bowed in grateful humility.

      "I don't believe it." said the man to his friend.

      By now everyone else in the huge amphitheater had returned to their seats and all eyes were upon him as he turned to face the mammoth crowd. His face beamed with excitement as he stood for a few moments facing them. Then he turned back to face Jesus. His hands slowly reached up and removed the crown again. He stepped forward and gently laid the crown at Jesus' feet. Then he backed slowly away holding his hands out toward the crown, offering it back to his Lord.

      A silent gasp went through the crowd. Then the people in the front row came forward and laid their crowns at Jesus' feet, also. Behind them others began passing their crowns forward. Then they turned to receive and pass the crowns that were coming forward from others. All through the amphitheater crowns were flowing toward the Throne of God.

      The man with his friend stood transfixed in amazement until someone behind him tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and received a crown from the person behind him. His emotions rose within him as he passed the crown forward, then removed his own and passed it forward. All around him shouts of joy and exultation began to rise. Tears formed in his eyes as he raised his voice to join them.

      At the Throne, Jesus smiled through His tears as the pile grew and spread before Him. He turned His head to look back at the Father. God turned His hand toward the crowd as if to say, "These are Your Redeemed."

      Jesus looked back at the crowd as the voices rose, joining the angels in praises of "Blessed be the Lord Jesus!", and "Glory to God in the Highest!"