The horses raced toward each other at full speed. Both were draped with colorful blankets. On each rode a knight dressed in full armor, one color blue and the other red. As the distance closed, the men leveled their lances and took aim. When the impact came, the knight in blue took the brunt of the impact and was knocked from his saddle. The red knight raised his fist in victory as the crowd cheered.
Rufus leaned toward Prince Sebastian, “Whoever wins the next round will earn the prize.”
Sebastian enjoyed the jousting competition that his host arranged. Rufus, the prince of Trampa, had welcomed Sebastian and his companions with grace and respect. Sebastian now watched as the red knight faced off with an opponent donned in yellow. Again, the jousters raced toward each other armed with long lances. This time the yellow knight caught the brutal force of the lance and was toppled from his horse. The red knight took a victory lap before receiving his prize.
“Well done,” said Sebastian to Rufus. “The knight in red is a skilled jouster.”
“He rarely loses a match,” The Trampa prince responded.
The trip was going well for Sebastian. He had traveled to The Kingdom of Trampa with his trusted advisor Theodore, his good friend Anders, and eight other nobles. A small team of servants and skilled warriors accompanied the delegates. The visit was arranged by Sebastian’s father, the king, to show good will toward the neighboring kingdom. In a time when simple land disputes could blossom into a bloody war, efforts were made to keep the nations at peace.
“I’m delighted that you enjoyed the competition,” said Rufus. “There will be a banquet this evening. You and your companions will be my honored guests.”
Sebastian was impressed at Rufus’s charm. He was the same age but had a confidence that Sebastian lacked.
With the competition complete, Rufus and the Trampa nobles returned to their homes.
“Let us prepare for the banquet,” Theodore suggested.
“Of course,” Sebastian responded.
The prince and his companions made there way to the quarters given them by prince Rufus. This included several sizable rooms in the royal castle.
“The jousting match was certainly entertaining,” said Sebastian to his friend.
“I agree, it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon,” Anders replied.
“The visit to Trampa is going well,” Sebastian’s lips turned up into a smile, the first since he left home.
“I thought the trip might be disastrous, and that I would have to rescue you,” Anders chuckled as he poked fun at his friend.
“Remind me why I brought you along.”
“You would be lost without me,” Anders and the prince enjoyed a bit of verbal jousting until a knock at the door interrupted them.
Anders opened the door to find a Trampa servant.
“Prince Rufus requests your presence at the banquet. This way if you please,” said the servant.
Sebastian followed the servant to the banquet hall with Anders, Theodore, and the nobles close behind.
The group was led to an enormous hall. In the center was a long table with seating for about fifty people. Giant chandlers filling the room with a warm glow. The walls were covered with tapestries and portraits of the royal family. As the honored guest, Sebastian was seated to the right of Rufus, who occupied the head of the table. The food was served by a small army of well-dressed servants while a string quartet played for the diners.
Sebastian enjoyed the evening meal and polite conversation with Prince Rufus. Again, everything was going well until he was presented with an unexpected question. Sebastian was shocked by what was offered to him but did his best not to show it. Eventually the conversation shifted to other matters, but he couldn’t get his mind off what Rufus asked him.
As the evening drew on, the banquet ended, and Sebastian returned to his room for the night. When he climbed into bed, he found he could not fall asleep. The memory of Rufus’s question repeated over and over in his mind. After an hour he got up and draped himself with his rope. He opened the door and found the hallway quiet. Sebastian found Anders’ room and rapped on the door. The door opened to a sleepy figure starring out.
“What is it?” Anders asked with a yawn.
“Can we talk?”
“Can’t it wait until morning?”
“No.” Sebastian slipped past his friend and into the room.
“What is so important that you had to get me out of bed?”
“It’s something Price Rufus said,” Sebastian started.
“What did he say?”
Sebastian paused, not sure how his friend would react.
“He offered me a position in his kingdom.”
“What kind of position?”
“A royal consoler. I would be a member of the royal court, but with very few responsibilities. I would live the life of a prince, but without the worry and stress that comes with being a real prince.”
“What did you tell him?” Anders asked.
“I haven’t given him an answer yet.”
Now fully awake Anders stiffened, “You’re not seriously considering it are you?”
“You know how I’m often burdened by my royal duties. I don’t think I’m cut out to be a ruler.”
“Are you insane?” Anders now shook with rage. “Why would you settle for crumbs offered to you by this Prince Rufus? You are the king’s son. Your father is building a powerful kingdom that he will hand to you some day. Now, I don’t want to hear another word about this. Do you understand?”
Without another word Sebastian returned to his room. He sat awake for another two hours considering what he would do.
The next day the group of delegates left Trampa to return to their home. Anders and Theodore led the way, followed by the nobles and the others.
“I can’t believe we are leaving Sebastian behind,” said Anders.
“He’s made up his mind. What else can we do?” Theodore stared straight ahead as he spoke.
“The king will be furious.”
“Yes, he will be angry, but worse yet he will be heartbroken,” Theodore sighed.
“What should we tell him?” asked Anders.
Just then a horse galloped along side the pair.
“You need not tell the king anything,” Prince Sebastian said. “I will tell him the visit was a complete success.”
Sebastian rode along side his friend and his trusted advisor and explained how he had been a fool to even consider Prince Rufus’s offer to give up his inheritance. Glad to be reunited, they rode together all the way to the gates of their kingdom.
***
Read Col 1:12
What is an inheritance?
Whose inheritance is Paul talking about in this verse?
What do you think God’s inheritance will be for his people?
In the story, what did you think when Sebastian seemed to give up his inheritance?
What did Anders mean by “Why would you settle for crumbs?”
How do the pleasures of this world compare to the inheritance we have with our Heavenly Father?