Read Matthew 25:31-46.
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a King who wanted to establish a perfect kingdom of mercy, justice, and love. He often taught his people how they should live. He told them they would be blessed and happy if they were humble and merciful. He told them that if they worked together for a just and peace-filled society, their dreams would be fulfilled. He taught them to honor God by they way they lived. He taught them to be kind and generous to everyone, even to those who could not repay them, even to those who were unkind to them. He told them that the summary rule is to love other people exactly like you love yourself.
But this King didn’t just teach about love and mercy. He lived it. He was widely respected for his compassionate life. Even though he was King, he seemed always to notice those who were ignored by the others. He spoke to people with gentleness and respect, even the “worst” people and the poorest people. He personally bandaged the wounds of people who were sick. He personally helped poor people find jobs and start working again. He often gave his coat to someone who was without. He often shared his food with those who did not have enough, yet he never seemed to run out.
He told his people that the Kingdom he was establishing was built on these simple principles. He told them that if they would live this way, like him, the Kingdom he was describing would begin to take shape in their very lives. He said this perfect, amazing Kingdom would emerge all over the world if only his people would follow his example and live lives of simple, generous love for each other.
His people were very kind to him. They always treated him with respect and dignity. They were all glad to have such a wonderful King. When he spoke to them about the principles of his Kingdom, they all nodded their heads and agreed that this was a good way to live. Many of them even took sacred vows to live as people of the Kingdom, to live lives of mercy, justice and love.
However, the King wondered how his people acted when he was not around. He wondered what they did in the quiet, secret times when they thought no one important was watching. He wondered if his people were really living as people of his Kingdom.
One day, the King announced that he was leaving on a long trip. He gathered his people and told them to live according to the Kingdom principles of mercy, justice, and love. He challenged them to hold each person in high respect and to care for each other with glad and generous hearts. The people all agreed.
Then, the King left on his trip. However, he did not go to another land. The King left the palace and the city alone. He secretly changed into the clothes of a poor beggar1. He rolled in the dirt and rocks until he and his clothes were dirty and torn. Then, he toured his Kingdom dressed as one of the poorest beggars. He wanted to see for himself how well his people live out the Kingdom principles of mercy, justice, and love. ...
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.
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a King who wanted to establish a perfect kingdom of mercy, justice, and love. He often taught his people how they should live. He told them they would be blessed and happy if they were humble and merciful. He told them that if they worked together for a just and peace-filled society, their dreams would be fulfilled. He taught them to honor God by they way they lived. He taught them to be kind and generous to everyone, even to those who could not repay them, even to those who were unkind to them. He told them that the summary rule is to love other people exactly like you love yourself.
But this King didn’t just teach about love and mercy. He lived it. He was widely respected for his compassionate life. Even though he was King, he seemed always to notice those who were ignored by the others. He spoke to people with gentleness and respect, even the “worst” people and the poorest people. He personally bandaged the wounds of people who were sick. He personally helped poor people find jobs and start working again. He often gave his coat to someone who was without. He often shared his food with those who did not have enough, yet he never seemed to run out.
He told his people that the Kingdom he was establishing was built on these simple principles. He told them that if they would live this way, like him, the Kingdom he was describing would begin to take shape in their very lives. He said this perfect, amazing Kingdom would emerge all over the world if only his people would follow his example and live lives of simple, generous love for each other.
His people were very kind to him. They always treated him with respect and dignity. They were all glad to have such a wonderful King. When he spoke to them about the principles of his Kingdom, they all nodded their heads and agreed that this was a good way to live. Many of them even took sacred vows to live as people of the Kingdom, to live lives of mercy, justice and love.
However, the King wondered how his people acted when he was not around. He wondered what they did in the quiet, secret times when they thought no one important was watching. He wondered if his people were really living as people of his Kingdom.
One day, the King announced that he was leaving on a long trip. He gathered his people and told them to live according to the Kingdom principles of mercy, justice, and love. He challenged them to hold each person in high respect and to care for each other with glad and generous hearts. The people all agreed.
Then, the King left on his trip. However, he did not go to another land. The King left the palace and the city alone. He secretly changed into the clothes of a poor beggar1. He rolled in the dirt and rocks until he and his clothes were dirty and torn. Then, he toured his Kingdom dressed as one of the poorest beggars. He wanted to see for himself how well his people live out the Kingdom principles of mercy, justice, and love. ...
To continue reading this post, click here.
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