The Exemplars |
| Posted by Mark (mark) on Nov 10 2008 |
An angel was dispatched from heaven to roam the earth, and find two subjects. One subject was to be a paragon of life, and the other death. After a long search the angel found just two such subjects, and brought them together with an assignment.
“You two have been chosen by God, to help communicate life and death to the world. You are both already exemplars, so all that is asked of you is this: record what is important to you, and how you have lived. I will return in a week to gather your work.”
The first man was honored at the request, and set to his task with great aplomb. He worked feverishly night and day, attempting to record all the wisdom he had gained and lived. Then, realizing he could not write a novel in a week, he began whittling down his thoughts into a manifesto.
The second man hung his head upon hearing the request, and sat quietly pondering night and day. Minutes before the angel was to return, he left his static repose and scribbled down a few lines on a tattered piece of paper.
Arriving at the appointed spot, the two men waited pensively. Finally, noticing the second man’s diminutive work, the first man broke the silence. “My friend,” he said cheerfully, “What great wisdom is this, that fits onto a solitary page?”
“I’m sure it is no wisdom at all,” he calmly replied, “You see I know myself well, and what masquerades in me as wisdom, when unmasked is usually not. Thus, I did not wish to expound intricately, and add to the folly of my heart and life. If I am to be the exemplar of death, I do not wish to do my job well, and entice others to follow my path. I only hope that whoever sees our two works, will pass over mine and see the wisdom in yours.”
Astonished the first man replied, “You are not at all what I expected from the exemplar of death. Perhaps you could read my manifesto before the angel comes, and find life hereafter.”
Just then the angel appeared and spoke, “Sir, you don’t need to read his manifesto. If you please, would you bring me your work.” The second man graciously obeyed this gentle chiding, and handed over his paper. “Thank you, return home in peace.” The man left quietly, without another word.
“I feel sorry for him,” the first man said, watching him go.
“Would you like to read his work?” inquired the angel.
He was shocked at this, having seen the angel remonstrate the other man for the same invitation. Looking upon the angel, curiosity overwhelmed him and he assented. The angel handed it to him, and he read:
“I am undone by this request. I am a selfish man in all ways, and have no wisdom to share. My life can only be an exemplar of death. So I’ll let my words be few, for the focus should be on life, and that, I cannot provide. I can only repent in ashes of sincerity, and throw myself on the mercy of the Father. If anything can be gained from my life, let it be that others would see me, and be turned toward the exemplar of life.”
“It’s quite succinct,” said the man not knowing what else to say.
“May I see your work?” inquired the angel.
“Yes, here it is,” replied the man in an almost bashful tone.
The angel flipped open the cover page and began to read the manifesto:
“I am honored at this request from such a wise God. As I cannot record my entire life herein, I have arranged the principles of my life in point form. Rest assured I have done my best to live by the truth which you God, have entrusted to me. I would like to start with the priorities in life, which should be ranked as such: 1) God 2) Family 3) Work 4) Play. As well, truth is to be valued above all else, and should be defended to sacrifice.”
Having read only these few lines the angel closed the cover, and began to move away. “Wait!” bellowed the man frenetically, “Wait, please.”
“What is it?” said the angel turning back around.
“You’re not going to read the rest?”
“No,” the angel replied blithely.
“Well—well could you tell me how God is going to use this as an exemplar of life?” he stammered.
A fresh hue of solemnity was injected into the angels lineaments. “My dear fellow, what makes you think you are the exemplar of life?”
“Well,” he thought carefully for a moment, “I just assumed I guess. Judging from the other fellow, and you know, the way I’ve lived my life, I just assumed.” A long shadow of bitter confusion splayed across his countenance. “How could I be the exemplar of death?”
“You are self-righteous.”
“But is there no wisdom in there?” he pointed jaggedly at his manifesto, now tucked under the angel’s arm. “Have I not lived right?”
“Pride can swallow good actions. Did you really think that self-righteousness could be the way to life?"
“Am I damned then? Doomed to destruction!” His heart wrenched within. “And if I am damned, why would God reveal this to me? Couldn’t He let me live out my days in the peace of my ignorance?”
“It’s quite the opposite,” stated the angel in a rather compassionate way, “You are not damned sir. Can’t you see that wisdom has been presented to you this evening? God has reached out to you in this. The Father left the ninety-nine sheep to come looking for you. You are the lost sheep.”
“But how could I be the lost sheep? I’m a religious man in every way. I always strive to do what is right? It doesn’t make sense.”
“You know the story of the Prodigal Son?” The man nodded agreement and the angel continued. “Then let me ask you something. Who was dining with the Father in the end, and who remained outside in the cold?”
A rush of cold shivers irradiated his spine. “Could it be?” he said in a haze of bewilderment.
“It was the son who stayed home, wasn’t it? It was the son who worked everyday in the fields. All his Father had was his, yet he refused to come in to the feast.”
“And am I to be ridiculed before men as the self-righteous older brother?” He asked, turning his attention back to the manifesto he’d slaved over.
“No, the manifesto was for your sake. Other’s have their own stories.”
“But you said we were to be exemplars to the world?”
“Do you still not understand? In the moment the Father goes looking for the lost sheep, that lost sheep is the world to Him.”
Last changed: Nov 10 2008 at 8:53 PM
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