The Great King
Once upon a time, there was a great and powerful King. He lived in a huge, shiny castle with lots of guards, a big giant moat on top of a gianormous mountain. He ruled his kingdom well – as no other king could hope to rule. He knew everything that happened in his land and he enforced the laws with wisdom and strength. He was tough, but he was kind.
Some of the peasants loved and admired the King. “What a great King we have – he commands his army to protect us and provides all that we need, if we work to serve him.” Others say, “Our king is wiser than any other!” and “Praise and honor to our King!”
Other peasants did not like the King. “Great King? What has he done for me? I’ve never even seen him – he just stays in his castle all day and has a great old time – while I’m down here working his fields. I don’t even know if he exists, come to think of it.” And others say, “If he’s so great – why is my mother dying of cancer, anyway?” and “I don’t need the king and his ideas – I’m just fine by myself – thank you.”
As a son of a farmer, and young servant boy, you don’t know what to think of this King. You’ve never met him yourself – and everyone seems to say something different about him. No doubt, this King is the center of discussion.
Then, one day you meet a young boy about your age in the market. He claims to know the King – but given his appearance, you have your doubts. You hang out on the weekends until one day you ask him – “If you know him, can you show me the King?”
He smiles and you follow him through the village, all the way up the mountain and over the cobblestone street to the castle gates. You’ve never been this close – and the castle is even bigger and overwhelming than it seems from the village. As you and your friend approach, the draw bridge opens and all the guards bow down as you pass.
“What a nice gesture,” you think. Until you realize, those guards are not bowing for you, but for your friend. Suddenly, the King appears and picks your friend up joyfully, “Son, welcome home! Who is your friend?” You are introduced and the very King himself greats you with warmth and love and hospitality. You are invited to eat with the King at his table and he shares with you the riches of his kingdom.
Now, as the son of a farmer, you have access to the King. Because you know the Son, you can sit in the King’s courts and learn of his wisdom. You see that the King deeply loves each of his people in the Kingdom – he rejoices over his hardworking and diligent servants and agonizes over his lost and confused peasants. You understand that he would give anything – even your friend, his own son – just so his people would know him and learn to live in his will. You see he is a truly great and wise King – not distant and cold like some say – but as intimate and loving as a father.
As you leave, the King pulls you aside. “You are friends with my Son – now, you are my son as well. Everything I have is yours. Go and invite everyone you know to my castle.”
As you return to the village, you see that nothing has changed. The opinions of the King still vary greatly – but you have met Him – you know Him, you are his son. You invite everyone you know to the castle but few accept the invitation. Few believe you know King – they have known you all their life, and you are just a peasant. But the one thing they can’t deny is that everything about you is suddenly different. Everything about you is aligned to serve the King.
Some of the peasants loved and admired the King. “What a great King we have – he commands his army to protect us and provides all that we need, if we work to serve him.” Others say, “Our king is wiser than any other!” and “Praise and honor to our King!”
Other peasants did not like the King. “Great King? What has he done for me? I’ve never even seen him – he just stays in his castle all day and has a great old time – while I’m down here working his fields. I don’t even know if he exists, come to think of it.” And others say, “If he’s so great – why is my mother dying of cancer, anyway?” and “I don’t need the king and his ideas – I’m just fine by myself – thank you.”
As a son of a farmer, and young servant boy, you don’t know what to think of this King. You’ve never met him yourself – and everyone seems to say something different about him. No doubt, this King is the center of discussion.
Then, one day you meet a young boy about your age in the market. He claims to know the King – but given his appearance, you have your doubts. You hang out on the weekends until one day you ask him – “If you know him, can you show me the King?”
He smiles and you follow him through the village, all the way up the mountain and over the cobblestone street to the castle gates. You’ve never been this close – and the castle is even bigger and overwhelming than it seems from the village. As you and your friend approach, the draw bridge opens and all the guards bow down as you pass.
“What a nice gesture,” you think. Until you realize, those guards are not bowing for you, but for your friend. Suddenly, the King appears and picks your friend up joyfully, “Son, welcome home! Who is your friend?” You are introduced and the very King himself greats you with warmth and love and hospitality. You are invited to eat with the King at his table and he shares with you the riches of his kingdom.
Now, as the son of a farmer, you have access to the King. Because you know the Son, you can sit in the King’s courts and learn of his wisdom. You see that the King deeply loves each of his people in the Kingdom – he rejoices over his hardworking and diligent servants and agonizes over his lost and confused peasants. You understand that he would give anything – even your friend, his own son – just so his people would know him and learn to live in his will. You see he is a truly great and wise King – not distant and cold like some say – but as intimate and loving as a father.
As you leave, the King pulls you aside. “You are friends with my Son – now, you are my son as well. Everything I have is yours. Go and invite everyone you know to my castle.”
As you return to the village, you see that nothing has changed. The opinions of the King still vary greatly – but you have met Him – you know Him, you are his son. You invite everyone you know to the castle but few accept the invitation. Few believe you know King – they have known you all their life, and you are just a peasant. But the one thing they can’t deny is that everything about you is suddenly different. Everything about you is aligned to serve the King.
posted by Brad at 11:49 AM
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