Balthasar, the King
Drama
I Met Jesus When He Was Born
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUES FOR ADVENT
"We have seen his star in the east ..."
I am Balthasar. I come from the east, far to the east. I am the king of Arbela, one of the provinces of Persia.
Last night we departed from Bethlehem because of a dream - a dream that my two companions had, as well as I. Strange that three men should have the same dream? You won't think so, when you hear the rest of my story.
We all dreamed that we should leave immediately, that we should not return to Herod in Jerusalem, that we should travel home by a way different from the route we had come. So we left secretly and hastily, and in the darkness crossed the Jordan River to this land of Moab. Now we plan to continue our journey, staying east of Jordan, going through the mountainous wilderness of the Moabites, and the Ammonites into Damascus, and then home to Persia. This is a longer, more difficult, more dangerous route than the way we came - down the coast through Tyre, Caesarea, and Joppa. But last night's dream was so urgent, so compelling that we believe we have no alternative.
Let me go back, though, to the beginning of the whole adventure. It started several months ago, back in Persia, when two fine friends of mine, Gaspar and Melchior, kings of neighboring provinces, met together in my palace. We wanted to consult with our chief astrologers about a wondrous sign which had appeared in the sky - a large star of great intensity, magnitude, and brilliance, that lit up the heavens more brightly than the fullness of the moon, and was visible even in the daylight. After long deliberations and the checking of many charts, records, and graphs, we concluded that this heavenly sign was a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars - something that would happen only once in about a million years - and that it heralded the birth of a mighty king, born in the land of the Hebrews. He was to be great, powerful, influential, one of the outstanding persons of all history. He would hold sway over multitudes. Would he be a great military leader? Or a political genius? A renowned scholar? We couldn't be certain, but we did know that he would touch the lives of thousands upon thousands. He was destined to be an outstanding leader, a mighty ruler.
This was a king whose friendship we ought to cultivate. The three of us determined to visit Israel and greet him. Hasty preparations were made for the long trip.
I wish I had time to tell of the many strange, stirring experiences that occurred during our journey. We faced the sun and the sand, the heat and the cold, the mountains and the deserts. We encountered many dangers - from the weather, from the countryside, from the roving bands of robbers. Our close calls and narrow escapes were too numerous to count.
Then, just yesterday, we approached - at long last - Jerusalem. We were eager and excited, our spirits filled with expectancy. Our journey was reaching its climax. We were vibrant with anticipation.
We asked the same question everywhere, of everyone we met, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" We attracted attention, but no one knew the answer; no one seemed to know what we spoke about. We were surprised - and somewhat troubled.
When we entered the gate of the city, our reputation had preceded us. We were immediately met and escorted to the palace of the king, a man named Herod. He inquired about our purpose and asked why Judea should be honored by a visit from such dignitaries. We told him of the star and about our long trip, then asked concerning the birth of the child.
Clearly, King Herod was very disturbed and upset by our message. His rage couldn't be concealed; it showed through his outer cloak of courtesy. He told us that no child had been born here, that his children were all grown. He wondered, aloud, if there were another king of the Jews, and where he would be. It became obvious that this cruel, crafty man would allow no rival to his throne. Anyone who was a menace would be destroyed. The treacherous, cunning character of the man was evident.
But, how disappointed we were. Had we miscalculated? Had we misinterpreted the sign? Had we come all this way for no reason? Where had we gone wrong? What mistake had we made? We had been so certain; now we wondered.
Herod called some of his advisors into the hall, and in the conversation that followed, we learned of the Jewish tradition of a Messiah - a great ruler who was to deliver his people from their enemies and restore their former glory. Herod demanded of his priests and scribes where this Christ was to be born, and their answer was not long in coming. A little town - Bethlehem - was the place. For verification, they quoted from one of their ancient scriptures, "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel."
After dismissing his religious leaders, Herod turned again to us. Trying to control his true emotions, he directed us to Bethlehem, just a few miles to the south. Toward this village he sent us, with the admonition, "Search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
As we left the palace, Melchior thought we might just as well start back home rather than go on to Bethlehem. "Our mission is a failure," he insisted, "There is no child. Why continue?" But Gaspar and I persuaded him to go - after all, we had come this far, and it was only a few miles more. One more day would not hurt us.
As we discussed the situation, just last evening about dusk, near the wall of Jerusalem, our hearts were lifted when we saw the great star in the sky once again. There it was, with all its dazzling beauty and brilliance, blazing brightly again. Truly, this was unheard of! We knew that it must be a divine sign. Then, to our utter astonishment, the star began to move! It actually seemed to direct and lead us. The beams pointed our way, and as we traveled, the rays blinked in such a way as to leave no doubt about which way to turn. Following the star, we knew that we were finally reaching our goal.
Then it stopped - just stopped, with the light resting on a specific dwelling. This was it! At long last! But could it be? Here was no palace, no soldiers, no guards, no slaves - no mark of royalty. Instead, poverty was evident. Could the king for whom we had searched be here? Once again, we were on the verge of disillusionment. But the sign of the star was too clear - it allowed no room for doubt. We dismounted and hesitantly approached.
Then I saw them! The mother with the infant in her lap, surrounded with a holy glow. She was beautiful, but there was something far more than physical attractiveness. She was delicate, yet strong. And a radiant glory was everywhere around her.
And the child - this was no ordinary child. I looked into his eyes. My emotions warmed; I choked, and the tears came. Truly, he was a king. But more than a king, more than a ruler, more than a deliverer, more than the Hebrew Messiah. Somehow, I knew this was God himself! The good, wise Creator had come to be with us, to redeem us. Instinctively, I dropped to my knees, realizing that I was in the presence of the Eternal God. Without looking, I sensed that Gaspar and Melchior were also on their knees, bowed down in adoration, worshiping in reverence. We said nothing - there are some experiences where words are useless.
Melchior was the first to rise; he went straight to our camels and brought the gold and jewels which we had carried as gifts for the king. He laid them at the feet of the child.
Gaspar must have felt as I did, for he went for an additional gift - bringing a box of the frankincense which we use on the altars of our temples; it is used only when we worship God.
I felt inwardly that we should also leave a package of myrrh - an aromatic, bitter spice we have in the East; it is a symbol of incorruptibility; it speaks of bitterness, sorrow, and sacrifice - but also of eternity and everlastingness. Somehow, I felt that it was appropriate.
We gave him gold, because he was a king; we gave him frankincense, because he was God; we gave him myrrh, because his sacrifice opened up eternity for us.
We had found our king! But how different from what we had expected! We had sought an earthly ruler; we had found a spiritual king. We had come to greet the King of the Jews; we had been led to the king of all people.
His kingdom is not of this world; it is heavenly, not earthly; divine, not human; eternal, not temporal; worldwide, not national.
His kingdom is one of peace, goodwill, brotherhood - peace for the entire world. All nations shall some day bow before this ruler. Victory and triumph will ultimately come not by the sword, not by human wisdom, but through this king.
He rules not the bodies, but the spirits of men. He rules not one nation, but all peoples and races.
We came to honor a man, and found ourselves worshiping God. We had found a king - without a palace, without a throne. Ah, but he does have a throne - in the heart, in my heart! I am called a king - nay, I am but his subject, now and forevermore. He is not just a king; he is the king - King of kings and Lord of lords! My message to you and to all mankind is
Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare him room,.
And heaven and nature sing!
I am Balthasar. I come from the east, far to the east. I am the king of Arbela, one of the provinces of Persia.
Last night we departed from Bethlehem because of a dream - a dream that my two companions had, as well as I. Strange that three men should have the same dream? You won't think so, when you hear the rest of my story.
We all dreamed that we should leave immediately, that we should not return to Herod in Jerusalem, that we should travel home by a way different from the route we had come. So we left secretly and hastily, and in the darkness crossed the Jordan River to this land of Moab. Now we plan to continue our journey, staying east of Jordan, going through the mountainous wilderness of the Moabites, and the Ammonites into Damascus, and then home to Persia. This is a longer, more difficult, more dangerous route than the way we came - down the coast through Tyre, Caesarea, and Joppa. But last night's dream was so urgent, so compelling that we believe we have no alternative.
Let me go back, though, to the beginning of the whole adventure. It started several months ago, back in Persia, when two fine friends of mine, Gaspar and Melchior, kings of neighboring provinces, met together in my palace. We wanted to consult with our chief astrologers about a wondrous sign which had appeared in the sky - a large star of great intensity, magnitude, and brilliance, that lit up the heavens more brightly than the fullness of the moon, and was visible even in the daylight. After long deliberations and the checking of many charts, records, and graphs, we concluded that this heavenly sign was a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars - something that would happen only once in about a million years - and that it heralded the birth of a mighty king, born in the land of the Hebrews. He was to be great, powerful, influential, one of the outstanding persons of all history. He would hold sway over multitudes. Would he be a great military leader? Or a political genius? A renowned scholar? We couldn't be certain, but we did know that he would touch the lives of thousands upon thousands. He was destined to be an outstanding leader, a mighty ruler.
This was a king whose friendship we ought to cultivate. The three of us determined to visit Israel and greet him. Hasty preparations were made for the long trip.
I wish I had time to tell of the many strange, stirring experiences that occurred during our journey. We faced the sun and the sand, the heat and the cold, the mountains and the deserts. We encountered many dangers - from the weather, from the countryside, from the roving bands of robbers. Our close calls and narrow escapes were too numerous to count.
Then, just yesterday, we approached - at long last - Jerusalem. We were eager and excited, our spirits filled with expectancy. Our journey was reaching its climax. We were vibrant with anticipation.
We asked the same question everywhere, of everyone we met, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" We attracted attention, but no one knew the answer; no one seemed to know what we spoke about. We were surprised - and somewhat troubled.
When we entered the gate of the city, our reputation had preceded us. We were immediately met and escorted to the palace of the king, a man named Herod. He inquired about our purpose and asked why Judea should be honored by a visit from such dignitaries. We told him of the star and about our long trip, then asked concerning the birth of the child.
Clearly, King Herod was very disturbed and upset by our message. His rage couldn't be concealed; it showed through his outer cloak of courtesy. He told us that no child had been born here, that his children were all grown. He wondered, aloud, if there were another king of the Jews, and where he would be. It became obvious that this cruel, crafty man would allow no rival to his throne. Anyone who was a menace would be destroyed. The treacherous, cunning character of the man was evident.
But, how disappointed we were. Had we miscalculated? Had we misinterpreted the sign? Had we come all this way for no reason? Where had we gone wrong? What mistake had we made? We had been so certain; now we wondered.
Herod called some of his advisors into the hall, and in the conversation that followed, we learned of the Jewish tradition of a Messiah - a great ruler who was to deliver his people from their enemies and restore their former glory. Herod demanded of his priests and scribes where this Christ was to be born, and their answer was not long in coming. A little town - Bethlehem - was the place. For verification, they quoted from one of their ancient scriptures, "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel."
After dismissing his religious leaders, Herod turned again to us. Trying to control his true emotions, he directed us to Bethlehem, just a few miles to the south. Toward this village he sent us, with the admonition, "Search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
As we left the palace, Melchior thought we might just as well start back home rather than go on to Bethlehem. "Our mission is a failure," he insisted, "There is no child. Why continue?" But Gaspar and I persuaded him to go - after all, we had come this far, and it was only a few miles more. One more day would not hurt us.
As we discussed the situation, just last evening about dusk, near the wall of Jerusalem, our hearts were lifted when we saw the great star in the sky once again. There it was, with all its dazzling beauty and brilliance, blazing brightly again. Truly, this was unheard of! We knew that it must be a divine sign. Then, to our utter astonishment, the star began to move! It actually seemed to direct and lead us. The beams pointed our way, and as we traveled, the rays blinked in such a way as to leave no doubt about which way to turn. Following the star, we knew that we were finally reaching our goal.
Then it stopped - just stopped, with the light resting on a specific dwelling. This was it! At long last! But could it be? Here was no palace, no soldiers, no guards, no slaves - no mark of royalty. Instead, poverty was evident. Could the king for whom we had searched be here? Once again, we were on the verge of disillusionment. But the sign of the star was too clear - it allowed no room for doubt. We dismounted and hesitantly approached.
Then I saw them! The mother with the infant in her lap, surrounded with a holy glow. She was beautiful, but there was something far more than physical attractiveness. She was delicate, yet strong. And a radiant glory was everywhere around her.
And the child - this was no ordinary child. I looked into his eyes. My emotions warmed; I choked, and the tears came. Truly, he was a king. But more than a king, more than a ruler, more than a deliverer, more than the Hebrew Messiah. Somehow, I knew this was God himself! The good, wise Creator had come to be with us, to redeem us. Instinctively, I dropped to my knees, realizing that I was in the presence of the Eternal God. Without looking, I sensed that Gaspar and Melchior were also on their knees, bowed down in adoration, worshiping in reverence. We said nothing - there are some experiences where words are useless.
Melchior was the first to rise; he went straight to our camels and brought the gold and jewels which we had carried as gifts for the king. He laid them at the feet of the child.
Gaspar must have felt as I did, for he went for an additional gift - bringing a box of the frankincense which we use on the altars of our temples; it is used only when we worship God.
I felt inwardly that we should also leave a package of myrrh - an aromatic, bitter spice we have in the East; it is a symbol of incorruptibility; it speaks of bitterness, sorrow, and sacrifice - but also of eternity and everlastingness. Somehow, I felt that it was appropriate.
We gave him gold, because he was a king; we gave him frankincense, because he was God; we gave him myrrh, because his sacrifice opened up eternity for us.
We had found our king! But how different from what we had expected! We had sought an earthly ruler; we had found a spiritual king. We had come to greet the King of the Jews; we had been led to the king of all people.
His kingdom is not of this world; it is heavenly, not earthly; divine, not human; eternal, not temporal; worldwide, not national.
His kingdom is one of peace, goodwill, brotherhood - peace for the entire world. All nations shall some day bow before this ruler. Victory and triumph will ultimately come not by the sword, not by human wisdom, but through this king.
He rules not the bodies, but the spirits of men. He rules not one nation, but all peoples and races.
We came to honor a man, and found ourselves worshiping God. We had found a king - without a palace, without a throne. Ah, but he does have a throne - in the heart, in my heart! I am called a king - nay, I am but his subject, now and forevermore. He is not just a king; he is the king - King of kings and Lord of lords! My message to you and to all mankind is
Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare him room,.
And heaven and nature sing!
