John 20:11-16 – “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).”
This morning, on this sunny January day, I believe the Lord showed me in part, an understanding of Shreveport and its future. In this scripture, Jesus appears to Mary in such away, that at first she doesn’t recognize Him. This incident is a shadow of what will happen to Shreveport.
Like Jesus’ crucifixion, the joints of His body were pulled out of place by men that truly didn’t know that the body that they were crucifying was the literal body of Christ. They corrupted the body in such a way, that it no longer had the appearance of a healthy man. The body of Christ was without form and void. After the death of Christ’s body, it laid in darkness for a 3 days with no one coming to the tomb to raise Him from the dead. Even Jesus’ disciples who had been trained in power, never had the thought to go and raise Him from the dead. His body was left alone by all, except for His Father. His Father came, rolled back the stone that held Him in darkness. Jesus was suddenly awaken by the power of the Father’s love. and the body of Christ came walking out in such newness of life, that not even Mary, one of the ones that was most intimate with Him did not recognize Him. Nevertheless, after she turned back to Him, she saw that is was Jesus, and was overcome with joy.
Like Jesus’ life, Shreveport, La. walked in the power of Christ like no other. It was a hub for healing and deliverance for all. A place where many would come and except the Lord as their Savior. Yet during those years, the enemy plotted to destroy what God had released upon the city. The accuser of the brethren began speaking lies and stirring up selfish ambition between brothers and sisters of the city. This gave the enemy access wreak havoc to God’s precious people. Like the crucifixion, the body of Christ within Shreveport was pulled out of joint. The enemy sent envy and selfish ambition against the its body, and created “bad blood” between one another, marring the image God had created. Seemingly, the body of Christ of Shreveport that had walked in power and Love, was now put away in darkness, assuming dead forever, never to return. Like the cross and Christ’s tomb, darkness has covered the area for years and hordes of hell have guarded Shreveport of what seemingly is a tomb to many who pass by or visit. Nevertheless, if the enemy had known the heart of the Father, and the process of His image being glorified, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory in the body of Shreveport.
Now the time has come, and now is, that the Father of glory will come to Shreveport, La. God’s Love will roll away the stone of the “Accuser” like a feather in the wind, and extinguish envy and selfish ambition that has guarded Shreveport from anyone awakening it to its original design. I began to see Jesus walking the streets and entering each house and business. Those that experienced His presence were overwhelmed with joy as like a soldier coming home from a long lengthy war. Their hearts began to glow again with power and love. Neighborhoods that dwelled in darkness, began to glow with light and love for each other. I saw evil spirits scattering to find a place to hide, but to no avail; they had to go back to the pit of where they came from. The hope and love for each neighbor chased out every evil thing that had controlled the atmosphere. It was an awakening! House groups began forming organically within the city. It seemed that everyone had a hunger to hear each others encounter with Jesus. There was a camaraderie that formed in which each neighborhood took care of its needs. No one was in lack of anything. Afterward, Shreveport began being a beacon of light to other regions of Louisiana. Lights began forming all over the state, causing the whole state to be a city set on a hill, a place of brotherhood, and an image of hope and love for other states.
The physical structure of Shreveport began changing. I noticed even the roads looked like they had been restored to perfection. Somehow, I knew they had been restored with a mentality of excellence and care. For even the road workers had a vision of God’s plan and they began implementing it. Shreveport began being a port of business or trade for many. Some of the old buildings downtown were demolished and beautiful housing accommodations were build. Some of the old buildings were restored to be offices and housing for those that wanted to live in the same building of work. If you were to gaze upon Shreveport from above, it looked like ants restoring their crushed home, everyone knew exactly their place and what to do. They all had a mind to work and to work together in unity. Like Jesus, Shreveport had resurrected to where one could not recognize its image, for it had become new!