Once and Future, Here and Now

B and M,

            When we had tea at our place, you talked of how you longed for the people of your country to have the power to bring about change.  It reminded me of a story I had heard.

            This story tells of the day of a great king returning to his land and to his people.  Apart from the true king they had seen what was right and good stolen from them.  They had endured under the rule and reign of oppressors and pretenders.  But now the true king had returned.  He had come again to set right the wrongs.  To establish goodness and justice in the land. 

            As this true king establishes his kingdom he extends blessings and rewards to those who had faithfully watched for his return.  Many are surprised and wonder at such rewards and generosity.  The king explains to his people, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

            Then the people only wondered all the more and ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in?”

            The king then replies, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.  Come, and enter in to your master’s happiness.”

            Something I love about this story is how sometimes the small gestures can carry great weight.  How these loyal subjects somehow represented the power of their coming king by simple daily acts of kindness and decency.  Maybe a lesson we can learn is that we do have the power.  That even seemingly small things done in the right spirit can have a great impact.

            Of what significance is a night of tea and conversation?  Too often we might say not much.  But I felt I glimpsed in each of you a touch of this spirit.  A touch of kindness and decency that can impact those around you.  Through a gift to decorate our home and a pot to brew our tea perhaps you were extending an invitation that one day may prove part of ushering in a king.

            This story was told by my Teacher and my Leader, Jesus.  And I believe him to be the great King.  The one who was, and is, and is coming.  To set the wrong things right, to establish goodness and justice.  I have seen this in my own life.  Of so many things in my life that are broken and ruined being met and touched by Jesus and being restored and made whole again.

            I so appreciated what each of you shared and the glimpse it gave into your heart for your country and your people.  I guess maybe I saw something in it that reminded me of Jesus.  Reminded me again of why I love him so.  He is a king.  And he is coming to set things right.  Maybe what is in your hearts for your country is something you share with him.