Jesus in Disguise

 There once was a great king and a simple man that the king often went to for advice. The simple man was wise, holy, and prayed every day.

Once the simple man asked Jesus to come to his house for a visit. The next day the only visitor that came by was a very poor man in a worn coat and a ragged hat. The simple man invited this poor man inside and gave him what food he had.

During the meal, the poor man showed who he really was. It was Jesus. The simple man was very surprised.

“You have treated me well even though you did not know who I was,” Jesus said. “I will give you what you ask for.”

“I only want to live a good life,” the simple man said.

“It is happening and it will continue to be so,” Jesus said.

The next day, the simple man met with the king to give him advice.

“Jesus came to visit me yesterday and He gave me what I asked for,” the simple man said.

The king thought, “I will ask Jesus for more money and to be king forever. What do I need to do so that Jesus will come?”

“Pray long and hard,” the simple man said.

So, the king prayed long and hard that Jesus would come for a visit. The king even had the castle cleaned to get ready. During the cleaning, a poor man knocked on the castle door.

“I am too busy getting ready for Jesus,” the king replied. “Go away.”

The next day the king and the simple man met again.

“Jesus has not come yet,” the king said. “The only visitor was a poor man.”

“Did the poor man have a worn coat and a ragged hat?” asked the simple man.

“Exactly,” the king said. “How did you know that?”

“That was Jesus in disguise,” the simple man answered.