The Price of a Kingdom.

Unbelievable as it will sound this story actually happened! Baroda was a state in India and this story happened in 1875. Gopalrao was a small boy who live in the village of Kavlana. He was smart and intelligent and he longed to go to a good school but there were no schools in Kavlana. Gopalrao was good to his widowed mother. He worked hard and did his best to earn money so they could buy rice and curry for his 4 younger brothers and sisters.

The year he turned 12 the ruler of the wealthy state of Baroda died and left no heir (His children were all daughters, and they were not allowed to inherit a throne in India.) His wife, Jamnabi went to the British government authorities and sought advice on how to choose a new ruler. She was received courteously, and they discussed the situation. The British decided that she should have authority to choose the new ruler. They advised her to send police to a remote village and gather a group of unspoiled, uneducated youth, bring them to the palace and select one and train him for the high position. How will she test them? They left that to her own wisdom.

The village that was selected was kavlana where Gopalrao lived. The police were warned to tell no one what they were going to do, just deliver the children to the palace.  Jamnabi had already decided what she would do to test the children. She was careful to tell no one although there were 1,000 guesses. Passing the test was all important because the price was so fantastic. The winner would become the ruler of Baroda, one richest states in India.

There was a great deal of talk when the Police arrived in Kavlana. It was unheard of for village boys to be invited to the palace. They had no manners and knew nothing of civilisation. Gopalrao was one of the youngest in the group. They were all full of questions, but the police would say nothing, except that all the boys were to meet at a certain time at the palace gates.

Gopalrao’s mother did not know how to react. When the time came, she embraced him and solemnly said, “Go my son. You are not dressed for the king’s court, but true worth is not in the clothes we wear but in the content of our hearts. You have been a good son to me and a diligent worker. I need not tell you to act wisely at the palace. Be courteous, gentle and think carefully before you act. Follow your kind heart and do not be afraid.” Gopalrao was filled with wonder, his mother never spoken to him like that to him before. What did it all mean?

When the boys were ushered into the palace grounds by the police they stared in wonder and open mouthed at the magnificent building and gardens. Jamnabi had prepared a sumptuous feast that would be served in the banquet hall. She invited the young guests to eat. She was a wise woman and knew that a table loaded with food would bring out the best (or worst) in boys.

The Boys shyly entered the banquet room that was full of sparkling chandeliers and velvet chairs.  Clumsy with awe the boys did not know how to behave. They were unfamiliar with table manners. They were used to eating on the floor with banana leaves for plates and fingers for forks. But they understood what food was for and they meant to eat their fill of all they wanted. There were many things on the table they had never seen before.

Jamnabi was seated at the head table. She instructed boys to sit down and enjoy the food. Gopalrao found a place not far from Jamnabi. The others scrambled onto chairs and attacked the food with enthusiastic hands. Gopalrao quickly watched Jamnabi as she unfolded her napkin and picked up the serving spoon to help herself to something. She had asked the servants not to officiate at the table as she wanted the boys to act naturally. Gopalrao had no more training in table manners than any other boy, but he was smart enough to watch Jamnabi and sought to imitate her. He had never held a piece of silverware before, but there was a set beside his plate. He stole a glance at Jamnabi and picked up a knife and fork, following her moves as best he could.

Quietly Jamnabi ate and missed nothing of what the boys were doing. Her sharp eyes swept the loaded table back and forth. She noticed Gopalrao without appearing to look directly at him. He alone had passed the test. Later on, the throne was awarded to Gopalrao. He became the Maharaja of Baroda and ruled for 64 years, until 1939. He received one of the greatest fortunes in the world. All this because of thoughtfulness, courtesy and careful observation.

Is this just a nice story? Do you wish it could happen to you? It can! We have been invited to a great dinner, and the invitations are going out now. The Bible calls it the marriage super of the Lamb (which is a symbol of Jesus.)

In Jesus, we have been given a Kingdom as heirs, and we must learn to live as kings and queens.

Galatians 4:1-7 is an astounding passage of scripture. It reads like this; “Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.  But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” NLT