Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a King who had to leave on a long journey. He loved the subjects of his Kingdom very much and was concerned that they would not be ready for him when he returned. So he reminded them many times before he left “It is my soap that will wash you clean. Remember that”.
And so the King began his journey and the kingdom waited for His return. While they waited, some people said the King had not really gone away. If you believed in your heart and listened very carefully, you will still hear the King speaking to you. Those who did not believe called this ‘Rubbish!’ and said that the King had left because He did not love them anymore. They said that the King would never return.
The days became weeks, and the weeks months. So the years went by and people went on with their daily lives - going to school, working, going out, staying in – all the same things that you and I would do.
And then one day – there was a stunning announcement. “The King is coming! The King is coming! Get yourselves ready to meet the king!” The Kingdom was stunned at the news at first but it quickly turned to joy and excitement. People busied themselves cleaning their houses and their shops. Soon beautiful and colourful decorations were put up. Banners were hung that declared “Welcome to the King of kings”
It was during this time of busyness that an old man appeared in the middle of the town. Some said that he looked very much like the King himself but many were too busy to bother. The old man had with him a big pile of bright red soap. To those who would stop and listen he said, “Soap! Soap! Soap to make you clean for the King.”, and for many days He stood there shouting these words as the people hurried by.
He offered the soap to a woman dressed in the most beautiful clothes and jewelry. She turned her nose up at it immediately. “Me? Do I look like I am dirty? Do I need your ugly soap? Look at my beautiful clothes and jewelry. The King is sure to want to meet me the minute He sees me in these.” And she rushed off to buy another beautiful dress – just in case.
Next the old man offered the soap to a man who thought he did everything right. The man asked “What is this?” .“This” said the old man, “is soap made from the very blood of my own son. Only this will make you clean for the King.” .The man replied “What? Soap from blood? Soap & blood will not make you clean. Bathing in milk everyday is what makes you clean. To be really clean, in fact, you need to bathe in chocolate milk. That is what I do everyday. When the King returns, I am sure he will want to see me because I have done what is right.” And he rushed off to buy another bottle of chocolate milk just in case.
The third person who passed the old man was a rich man who had worked hard all his life. He asked the old man “How much does this soap cost?” “The soap is free!” the old man said. “Free!? Free!!?? Free things are not good,” the rich man said,” I have worked hard all my life to earn lots of money. The King will want to see me once he sees the expensive gifts that I have bought for him.” And he rushed off to buy another expensive present just in case.
Finally, there appeared before the old man a boy and a girl. “Sir,” they said, “we are poor and have nothing to offer; and we are dirty. We will not be fit to meet the King unless we wash ourselves. We beg you for a small bit of your soap.” And the old man looked upon them and loved them dearly. He said “My dear children, the soap is free – as you have asked, take it and use it and you will be ready for the King.” With great joy the children received their gifts and washed themselves clean; and not only the two children but all others who saw that they had nothing to offer the King, received the soap with gladness and washed themselves clean.
Amidst the flurry of activities, the old man suddenly shouted loudly “Stop! It is finished! I have returned!” Before the eyes of all the people he disappeared and before them stood the King. At once, every one bowed down on their knees and worshipped the King.
And the King asked “Who is fit to come live with me in the castle?”
The woman, the “right” man and the rich man all shouted “Me! Me! I am the one who is fit – I have the beautiful clothes, I have done the right things, I have the money and the expensive gifts.”
And the King said “Fools! These will not make you fit for me. Have I not said before I left? It is only soap that will make you clean. It is those who have washed with soap that are fit to come with me.”
He looked kindly upon those who had used the soap and He opened his arms to them “These are the ones who are fit.”. With great joy, they went with Him and lived with Him in His Castle happily ever after.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
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