The First Parable of Rule

A weary traveler came to the gates of the city. He was met by a deputation of the leading citizens of the town. The spokesman for the deputation stepped forward, and after complimenting the traveler on his fortitude and courage in traveling, and extolling the city to which the traveler had come, asked the traveler if the traveler had ever desired to be a king.

“Certainly,” the traveler replied.

“Fortunate traveler, we are looking for a king,” the spokesman said. The rest of the deputation nodded. “You are very blessed indeed! Let us feast you and show you the delights of our city and then you can accept our generous offer of kingship.”

The traveler shook his head. “Indeed,” the traveler said, “I would be unworthy of the sagacity a king must have if I considered such an offer without making further inquiries. I wish to know why none of you will take the royal office yourselves?”

The spokesman shook his head sadly. “It is our law,” he said, “that all those the king condemms to death, he must execute himself. And all those whom you spare, you must take into your own household and bear the risk that they will burst out in violence or crime again.”

“It is a wise law!” another member of the deputation interjected. The others agreed.

“But because of the wise law, no one here is willing to be the king?” the traveler asked. The spokesman sadly agreed.

The traveler laughed. “It is you who are blessed. For I am a whole man. What I decide, I decide, and I do not shun the consequences of what I have decided. I will be your king.”

The Second Parable of Rule

A traveler from afar off was met by armed guards on a byway. “Sir,” their leader told him, “A misfortune has occurred within our city and all strangers must come before our magistrates to be inspected. It is our law.”

“Needs must,” the traveler said.

The guards brought the traveler before a board of magistrates. “Be at ease, stranger,” the center magistrate said. “This day may be the making of your fortune. Our king has died, and by a wise law we only take our new ruler from among strangers.”

“And what if I prefer not to be your king?” the stranger asked boldly.

“Kingship has its rewards,” the magistrate replied, “but our law was not designed for your benefit, but for ours. If your ambition does not persuade you, then we must appeal to your pity for our need.” The stranger saying nothing, the magistrate went on.

“But first, we must make inquiry on a few points. Have you ever been accused of a crime and brought to judgment?”

“I have,” the stranger said. “The son of a powerful man brought me to law on false charges. I was narrowly acquitted, but thought it best to go into exile.”

“Good,” the magistrate said. “Next, I ask you this. Have you ever been the victim of a crime?”

The stranger replied, “I was robbed. And as I have wandered, I have suffered indignities and outrages.”

Another magistrate spoke. “We offer you the crown,” he said. “Here, no man may be king unless he knows the terror of the law and the terror of lawlessness. He must know of himself the power he wields.”

The Third Parable of Rule

And the Father said, who will be Judge and Ruler of All?

And his Son said, send me.