Whose Coming?

The King’s face was alight with joy when he surveyed the gathering assembly of messengers from the far flung regions of his kingdom.

               After formalities were dispensed with, he called upon Harold first of all to bring his report.

               “How many have you found that are eager to attend the wedding of my beloved son?” he cried, and Harold was sure there was a youthful lilt in his voice. “If there are more than expected, we have plenty of time to make arrangements for more food and housing.”

               Harold’s feet wanted to drag but he flung his shoulders back and held his head high as he strode before his Majesty and bowed low while waiting for the touch of the sceptre indicating that it was time to speak. All the words of his carefully rehearsed speech scrambled when he saw with what hopeful anticipation his report was awaited.

“My lord, I have failed you.” In spite of himself, Harold’s voice broke but he struggled to control it. “I have toiled long and hard but my sheaves are so few and paltry.” He could not bear to see the kindness in his lordships eyes so looked down. “I should have worked harder; I should have asked you more often for instructions on how to appeal to the masses.”

               “What seems to be the problem?” The voice was gentle and low.

               “Indifference;” Harold thought a bit then nodded his head slowly. “Aye, I would say it was indifference more than anything else. They are so caught up with the pleasures of the moment that what I had to say had little effect on them.” He covered his head with his hands then looked up. “Oh that I could speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have the compassion of Joshua himself, then maybe they would have listened to me!” He told in brief, different encounters he had had over the last three years, and the various responses then was dismissed.

               The reports went on over the next few weeks. Harold’s heart went out to Rajab and his fellow workers when he heard what persecution they had to endure in their efforts to proclaim the Good News of the coming wedding.

               There were many and varied excuses presented; some were too busy, some too caught up with the cares of this life, and on and on. The fault, however did not always lay with the populace. Harold’s heart went out to Bill and several others like him who were dismissed from service for failing to do their duty, yet at the same time his he trembled: have I truly done my best?

               There was not much said on that final night when the King sent them home so that the results could be tallied.