There once was a kingdom where there was a very wise king who ruled the
land.
All of his subjects loved him because he was a just man and they knew he
loved them back.
A man was brought to him, accused of burning other man's house.
The house owner's little daughter had been inside and was killed in the
fire.
It was an accident but still, a death was a death, and the man and his
family were devastated and demanded retribution.
King asked the man who lost his daughter what kind of retribution did he
want.
The man told him that he wanted the other man's daughter to die, just
like her daughter had died.
So, you think that another person can pay for the act that this man
committed?
It was not his daughter that burned the house after all, said the king.
No, it was not, answered the man, but if I am to lose a child, so should
he.
I will give you my own son, king answered, he is my only son.
So he can die for the sin that this man has committed.
The first man went, happy that he had the revenge that he wanted.
The second man stayed to hear his sentence and he wanted to know why the
king would do a sacrifice like that for him.
He was after all, a subject who had done an atrocious deed.
I have freed you from the debt, king said, but not from the
consequences.
The other man and his family have no house, they have nothing left.
You will bury their daughter, build their house again and work until
they have everything they need.
And you will not do this for them but for me and my son.
You will do it for the love that I showed to you and for the sacrifice
that my son gave for you and for the love you feel for us.
Because I have set you free from your sin.
Now will you pay it with your life to me?
Are willing to live for me now?
Will you be the son that I lost for me?
I am willing to have you, if you just want it.
Because you have free will and you after you have paid the consequences
you are free to go and do as you will.
I only want your love and service if you give them to me, willingly.
