Tuesday, June 26, 2007

The kingdom of God is like an upgrade

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?' (Mark 4:30)

Scott Allen tells this story on his blog. It came to him from a friend.

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa & London.

A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Very disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "You obviously do not see it then?" she asked. "You placed me next to a black man. I did not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."

The hostess went away & then came back a few minutes later.

"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy Class. I spoke to the captain & he informed me that there is also no seat in Business Class. All the same, we still have one place in First Class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued."It is not usual for our company to permit someone from Economy Class to sit in First Class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

She turned to the black man, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class."
If I remember correctly, this would be classified as either a 'kingdom parable' or a 'reversal story' that describes the reign of God. For Biblical and other kinds of textual scholars it might be called apocryphal. You know, a story that isn't true but ought to be. But then I don't think Jesus' story about a man who found a valuable pearl hidden in a field and then in his joy sold everything he had to buy the field would pass muster with Snopes.com either.

Thanks, Scott! See Diatessaron: Small steps achieve freedom for us all.

The rest of the story, for all you textual critics, may be found here.

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