© 2006 SeanDietrich.com

A Special Dinner Guest
By Sean Dietrich

The biggest mansion in the city was busy with people that night. Not just ordinary people. Important people. Rich people. The elite had gathered for a special dinner party. The short round dinner host stood on top of a chair and yelled.

“We have a special guest for dinner!” He announced. “People in the city say he’s a wise man. I’ve invited he and his friends for dinner tonight.”

There was a knock at the door. A servant opened the door to a shabby group of exhausted men standing on the doorstep.

“Welcome, welcome!” The short man said happily rushing towards them. “Welcome to my home. Please come in. Come in, all of you!” 

The scruffy men stood awkwardly in the middle of the brightly dressed dinner guests. The guests fell smugly silent.

Then one of the vagabonds announced to the dinner guests. “We have journeyed far to be with you tonight. Thank you for inviting us. We are pleased to be here.” Then he turned to the dinner host.  “Friend, where can we put our things?”

The men placed their coats, staffs, and bags against the wall, while the elite dinner guests sipped their wine and began to mingle among themselves again.

The short host approached the exhausted men. “I know you must be weary from your journey. Is there something I can get you?”

“Actually, could you show us to the kitchen please?” The vagabond asked while rolling up his sleeves.

“Uhhh… Of course. The kitchen is back through those doors.” He pointed. “But dinner is about to be served. I can get you whatever you want. Please, won’t you have some fine wine or some fresh bread?” The short host asked.

“No thanks.” He answered kindly. “Just tell your dinner guests to be seated.” And with that, the group of vagabonds disappeared through the kitchen doors.

A few moments later, after the dinner guests had been seated around the table, the group of men came walking out of the kitchen. One by one, the scruffy men were carrying platters of steaming food and pitchers of wine. Some of the men filled drinks for the dinner guests, and others dished up plates of hot food. The dinner guests never had better service!

When the dinner was over, the vagabonds collected their belongings and began to leave. The dinner host ran towards them. 

“Why did you and your friends serve us dinner tonight? I have many hired servants for this work. I brought you here as a wise teacher so that we could learn from you.”

The vagabond replied. “My good friend, what you must learn is this: The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules should be like the one who serves.”

He smiled and put his hand on the dinner host’s shoulder. “I am among you as one who serves.”

And with that, he was gone.

But you are not to be called 'Great One,' for you have only one Master, and you are all brothers.
-Jesus