Once upon a time there...
Illustration
Once upon a time there was a great king known and loved by all his people. His name was honored far beyond the boundaries of his kingdom. He was known for great wisdom and his intense care for the welfare of his nation brought great prosperity and times of welcomed peace.
In a far place things were not so. There were many disputes and much warfare. Two nations in particular were at odds. Their borders touched on one another. There were constant skirmishes and continual threats of war. Open hostilities were barely restrained as spear was held against spear.
Then one day the strain became too great and each nation unloosed its army on the other. Now it was spear thrown against spearmen, arrow against bowmen, warrior against warrior.
Suddenly a stranger appeared on the battlefield, recognized as a stranger by his unusual garb and his calm demeanor. With tranquility he moved between the lines of warfare until a spear from one side and an arrow from the other pierced him through. A great shout arose on both sides.
Then someone recognized him. A few on each side began to circulate the news: "This was the Great King, whose wisdom and care is renowned everywhere. He came as a peacemaker and has been destroyed by the warfare of people far removed from his realm!" Both sides were overwhelmed.
They met around his body, held it high in their midst, and made peace with one another on that day. He was buried there on that battlefield with a monument to what he had done there rather than being buried in his own kingdom.
Until he who has "made peace by the blood of his cross" is recognized everywhere, the church gives witness to him!
In a far place things were not so. There were many disputes and much warfare. Two nations in particular were at odds. Their borders touched on one another. There were constant skirmishes and continual threats of war. Open hostilities were barely restrained as spear was held against spear.
Then one day the strain became too great and each nation unloosed its army on the other. Now it was spear thrown against spearmen, arrow against bowmen, warrior against warrior.
Suddenly a stranger appeared on the battlefield, recognized as a stranger by his unusual garb and his calm demeanor. With tranquility he moved between the lines of warfare until a spear from one side and an arrow from the other pierced him through. A great shout arose on both sides.
Then someone recognized him. A few on each side began to circulate the news: "This was the Great King, whose wisdom and care is renowned everywhere. He came as a peacemaker and has been destroyed by the warfare of people far removed from his realm!" Both sides were overwhelmed.
They met around his body, held it high in their midst, and made peace with one another on that day. He was buried there on that battlefield with a monument to what he had done there rather than being buried in his own kingdom.
Until he who has "made peace by the blood of his cross" is recognized everywhere, the church gives witness to him!
