From long, long ago, a story tells of a king who ruled his kingdom. It was a vast land filled with many people. The king was good and he loved his people very much. All the people loved their good king because he thought of their welfare.
But of all the king’s subjects in his kingdom, his Fool, the court jester, was his favorite person of all. The Fool was such a joy to have in the Palace. He could tell funny stories, he could dance, he could juggle, and do many tricks. Any time the king felt sad, all he had to do was call upon the Fool to come and entertain him and it would always lift his spirits.
One day, the great king had an idea. So, he called for the court jester to come to the Royal Palace to the king’s personal chambers. There, he explained his task. “Dear friend, you have always been such a good companion to me. You have made me laugh and you have taken my sadness away every time I have called you. But, alas, you are getting older now and will not always be able to be my jester. Here is what I want you to do: Travel throughout my entire kingdom and when you find someone who is a bigger fool than yourself, you must bring him back to the Palace. We can live together happily all the remainder of your days and you can train the new Fool!
The jester was happy with the king’s plan and immediately set out upon his journey. He traveled all over the kingdom and met thousands of people. But he never found anyone who was a greater fool than himself.
One day news reached the Fool that he was to return to the Palace. The king was sick and not expected to live! With tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, the Fool raced home as quickly as he could go. When he arrived at the Palace, the king’s doctor immediately called him to come into the royal bedchamber to speak to the king. Oh, how the fool wept and cried for his beloved king!
The king wished to be kind to his friend, so he tried to tell him the sad news very gently. “My little friend… I’m glad you have come. I will soon be leaving upon a long, long journey from which I shall never return…” The Fool let a tear drip from his eye and it fell upon the king’s bed. Suddenly, the Fool opened his eyes wide and looked upon the king with great excitement. He asked, “Oh, great king, have you made preparation for this journey?”
The king answered weakly, “No, my friend… I have not made preparation for this journey.” With these words, the Fool leaped up and down excitedly with great delight! He cried out, “Oh, king! I have travelled the land far and wide trying to fulfill your wishes. And now, I have succeeded! If you, your Highness, have not made preparation for this long journey upon which you will soon embark, then I have found a fool greater than myself. You, your highness, are the biggest fool of all!”
Friend, let me ask you today: Have you made preparation for death, that long journey from which no man shall return? Hebrews 9:27 says, “…It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” There are no second chances after death! Every man must prepare now to meet God after this life ends. Jesus Christ is calling you today, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. And, Romans 10:9 says, “…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Who was the greatest fool in our story? One appeared to be a fool, but he was wise to prepare for eternity. The other, though he appeared successful in this life, truly was the greatest fool because he made no preparation for life after death. Today you can prepare your soul for eternity. The man who makes Jesus Christ the Lord of his life and prepares himself for eternity is the greatest wise man there is!
