Washed as White as Snow: The Life of Jesus Christ

By Melissa N. Robertson

In this exciting sequel to the book The Good News of Jesus Christ, we are given the opportunity to learn about the life of Jesus Christ through the pictures God draws within real-life snowflakes. Author and macro photographer Melissa N. Robertson brings creative insight into the life that Jesus Christ lived and how it pertains to living out the Christian life. In this inspiring, moving, and unforgettable book, the life of a Christian is focused on that of a fisherman out fishing for new people to come and join in the grace, love, and forgiveness given by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The book invites all people to read, remember, and learn from the life and examples of Jesus Christ so all may live a life full of understanding, joy, and peace within Christianity.

Enjoy the journey written in the book most read throughout history, the Holy Bible, and see it come to life in a way people have never imagined. Come and learn what it means to be a Christian and a fisher of people through the life of Jesus Christ.

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven. (Colossians 1:19-23 NKJV)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781639032914

Book preview

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Washed as White as Snow

The Life of Jesus Christ

Melissa N. Robertson

Copyright © 2021 by Melissa N. Robertson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Copyright status is Public Domain.

Any wording in parentheses is an add-in for word definitions by author, Melissa N. Robertson.

Photographs taken in Colorado by Melissa N. Robertson

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Life of Jesus Christ

The Life of Jesus and the Examples He Left for Believers to Follow

Rest and Behold His Beauty

My husband and children for being next to me in this snowy journey of God’s love, grace, and truths.

My parents, Paul and Lynn Rousan, for teaching and encouraging me to become a fisherwoman of fish and people.

Thank you for listening to all of my fish tales throughout life.

I would like to acknowledge the beautiful ladies who supported, advised, and encouraged the creation of this book: Nancy, Ida, Irene, Susie, Kate, and Allison

Introduction

It’s 1:00 a.m. The wind is howling. The temperature outside is about 15 °F. The snow is flying all around me. The house is quiet and dark as the electric has gone out, and everyone else is asleep. The only flashlight is shining on the back porch where I sit and wait for a crisp, clear, unbroken snowflake to land on my little glass plate. I sit. I wait. I wait some more.

As I wait, I think of how familiar this feeling of anticipation is for my heart. This feeling of safety, calmness, peace, and excitement mixed with a sense of impatience and eagerness. I want a snowflake. Come on, snowflake. Land right here. Here’s the canvas that I get to catch you on. Just land right here, I say and point to the glass. I wait a little longer. There is nothing like staring at glass in the middle of a blizzard, waiting for a decent snowflake. I wonder, Where is this feeling coming from, such peacefulness in my soul?

Then it lands. The beautiful snowflake hits the glass. Instantly, my camera is up and taking the shots. I don’t want to waste a second. It could blow away or another snowflake land on top of it. I caught you, I say joyfully to the snowflake. Seconds later, it hits, Ah-ha. I know this feeling. I’m fishing! I’m sitting here tonight fishing for snowflakes, of course! No wonder this feeling is so familiar. God gave me this as my mission—to sit in the freezing blizzards waiting for a perfect snowflake. It is just like when I would sit next to a mostly frozen lake trying to catch a single fish in the winter. This is my heart’s desire from childhood, directed by His will.

My father taught me, at a young age, how to go fishing. Since I have a love for animals, I took to fishing quickly. Personally, I like to catch the fish, look at the fish, adore the fish, and release them into their water of safety. Sunfish and bluegill are particular favorites, but catching bass, catfish, and carp were the fish tales my dad got called to help with taking out the hooks. I have many pictures of all the fish I caught from the lake in our backyard as a teenager.

I would go fishing every day after school. During the summer right before dawn, I would run a mile to the gas station, buy some bread, run home, grab my pole and tackle box, and go take my seat to fish and watch the sunrise. That evening at sunset, you would find me in the same spot with my dog by my side. I would load my hook with bread, cast my line, sit, wait, and watch for the bobber to go under the water. When it went under, I would yank, not some little pull but a snagging yank, as if to say, There’s no way you’re getting away. If it were a small sunfish or bluegill, I would look at its beautiful colors before tossing it back in the water. However, if it were a big fish, like a carp, catfish, or bass, I would yell and run.

Dad! Dad! I got one! I need a towel and come take it off!

I would scream at the top of my lungs for the whole neighborhood to hear, especially my dad.

I remember many times he would come, in his nice slacks, shirt, and jacket still on from work, racing down the hill to see the fish and help take it off the hook. I hate touching the big ones, definitely the catfish. I was always afraid they would sting me as someone scared into me early in life. Dad would take the fish off the hook, help me get a picture, and toss it back. He would proceed back up the hill to the house, and I would turn, cast my line, and sit patiently for the next fish to come and snag my bait. Sometimes, I would get one. Other times, I would have the fish only to lose it right before it made it to shore. At other times, just a bite and off with my bait the fish would swim. Still on rare days, nothing, not even a nibble. That was always a sad day.

Yes, the feeling of peace, calmness, and excitement of waiting for the snowflake was very familiar, even in a blizzard. In Missouri, fishing is pretty easy, and there is a good selection of fish. However, once I moved to Colorado in 2008, the fish population and styles changed. I did not pursue fishing as often in my spare time. I have missed the serenity of fishing and taking that time to reflect on life and God. As I sit many days now and fish for snowflakes, it is in this time that God allows me to reflect and spend peace-filled time with Him again.

The snowflake caught the night of the blizzard is one I treasure as it brought more clarity to the mission God has planted in my heart and His love for all people. God was showing me something more with the snow. Yes, I was fishing for fun snowflakes, but really, I was fishing for very specific snowflakes so I could be more of a fisher of people. In the Bible, one of the stories portrayed in the life of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the story of Jesus calling on two men to become His first disciples and fishers of men (seeking men, women, and children to follow in the belief of Jesus, His death, and His resurrection). As a child of God and believer in Jesus, I am also a fisher of people. My primary mission as a Christian is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others and be a part of leading them in their decision to become a follower of Jesus. It is a crucial