The Adventure of the Lost Sir Ardent
It all begins with an idea.
Weekly Reading: Sir Knight of the Splendid Way Chapter Three
The battle was hard, the memory fading dim. Sir Constant dragged his feet, not able to remember the last time he had rested without fear for his life. A fog seemed to shroud the path all around him. He placed one foot in front of the other, blindly walking onwards.
As he traversed the weary path, a city seemed to emerge from amongst the shroud. The scent of flowers wafted in the air, silver glittered imperceptibly, and the distant sound of laughter tickled the young knight’s ears. Sir Constant quickened his step, hardly daring to believe his own senses. Lovely it seemed, indeed, to the poor knight. His mind filled with one thought: rest. Sweet rest.
His mouth watered, his eyes strained to catch a glimpse of the city, and his foot stumbled on an unnoticed stone. Sir Constant fell to his knees, disoriented, his shield clattering to the ground. Startled by the sound, he blinked once, twice, three times in an attempt to clear his mind. A sudden fog seemed to take hold of him. He groped about for his shield. Drawing it to himself, Constant rested his head upon that emblem for a weary moment, unbidden tears stinging his eyes. A deadly question creeped into his mind—
“Will the battle ever end?”
He sighed deeply. All at once, a sign arose before him. Shimmering golden letters displayed—The City of Good Intent.
A great temptation lay before the knight: to step inside and claim rest for but a moment, or continue on his way. As he pondered what to do, an old man appeared and rang a bell. Sharp and loud was that bell—driving away any remnant of mist and fatigue from Sir Constant’s mind. Rising to his feet, the noble knight unsheathed his sword and approached the city. Duty, the faithful bell-ringer, spoke with caution and force. This was not a place of rest, but one of deadly peril. Many knights had fallen in the magical City of Good Intent. Sir Constant prepared to flee, but Duty had another plan in mind.
Within the city dwelt a fallen knight—Sir Ardent. Sir Constant might be able to break the spell that entrapped the knight, if he were willing. But it would require much fortitude and strength of mind. Sir Constant accepted the charge, and, thus bequeathed with a quest of love, he stepped inside the City of Good Intent. But a word of admonishment followed him inside: to—“keep his sword drawn. It hath another use than warfare. Some may see it and remember.”
Peace was written upon the brows of those in that glorious city, but it was one of falsity. Beautiful dwellings destined to crumble and fall. Wondrous beauty and glorious visions—yet they too were doomed to fade away. Sir Constant held his sword at the ready.
Led to a luxurious garden bursting with flowers of all color, texture, and variety, Sir Constant spotted his fallen comrade. Filled with passion, Sir Constant commanded the knight to “awake and arise!”
A dreamy smile was all the response he received.
Duty spoke, low and clear to Sir Constant—“bitterness is of no avail. If he may be reached at all it will be by another road.”
Thus admonished, Sir Constant fell to his knees, resting upon the hilt of his sword. Realizing that bitter words would not awaken Sir Ardent’s drowsy spirit, he remembered the ancient words, “In gentleness, he has made me great.” Taking his comrade’s hands in his own he told a story that began to awaken long-forgotten memories, remembrances of an unfathomable love and a battle yet to be won.
The scales seemed to fall off Sir Ardent’s eyes at these words. Regret and despair filled his soul as he saw the city for what it was—The City Dangerous. As the old knight’s conscience began to revive, Sir Constant heard the command, “You must flee, at once!”
Once awakened, it was too easy to fall back into despair and regret. There was no time to lose—onward and upward! Sir Constant helped the fallen knight to his feet. Sir Ardent sought for his armour, rusted and discolored as they were, and donned them as fast as he could. Tears soaked his cheeks as Sir Constant helped him prepare to depart. But those tears were the very agent that began to melt away the dross and rust.
Urged on by Duty, the two left the city far behind them, a testament of brokenness and redemption to all who still dwelt in that city; forgotten memories waiting to be rekindled.
“And thereafter, it is said, others were awakened, and presently armed themselves also and pursued their journey. For the good knight who does a stout deed makes the whole world his debtor.”
“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light,” (Ephesians 5:14).
Your Friends at Lamplighter Ministries
Memory Verse: 1st Corinthians 16:13
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Deep into the Vale of Promise ventures Sir Constant, a young knight who desires nothing more than to be in the service of the Great King. Though unworthy of this high calling, he sets forth on the Splendid Way—the perilous road that all who desire to serve the King must take. His faith and valor will be tested, his strength and endurance will be challenged, and his allegiance to the one true King will be proven. A rich allegory wrought with biblical truth.
The Adventure of the False Sir Joyous
It all begins with an idea.
Weekly Reading: Sir Knight of the Splendid Way Chapter Two
A humble Carpenter, in dress and countenance, meets Sir Constant on the road. His bearing is both gentle and genteel, and he is clothed with grace and dignity. He travels side by side with the young knight, like Jesus and His disciples on the road to Emmaus, blessing his ears with words that cause his eager heart to burn with greater zeal for the cause of the King.
Little does the young knight know that a beguiling temptation will soon turn a pleasant journey into a night of the deepest danger. This temptation comes in one of its most subtle forms: pleasure.
A sumptuously dressed, and fair-tongued knight enters the scene.
Sir Joyous, for that is his name, seems to be the real deal. He certainly talks like it, and even more convincingly, there are many other followers of the King abiding in his marble palace. Why, it must be a safe place if other knights are lodging there! Here, the richly dressed knight promises rest and pleasure, which are both good and godly things when enjoyed in their proper time. All seems well, but there is a discordant unrest in Sir Constant’s soul.
As Sir Constant observes the beauty and pleasure that surrounds him, he begins to see through the façade. There is an appearance of godliness, but no power (See 2 Timothy 3:1-5) within. As Sir Constant explores the palace, he notices the Great Book with the emblem of the King! Perhaps this is a place of rest and pleasure. What could possibly be wrong when guided by the Book of the King? Upon closer examination, Sir Constant turns the pages of the book only to find to his shock and dismay that the Book has been altered. Most of the pages of warning and instruction are missing.
Quickly, removing his sword from his sheath, Sir Constant is prepared for the battle, a battle for his life, he is about to encounter!
So my friends, how does a knight in the service of the King escape such a deadly and subtle foe? Let’s observe the actions of our young protagonist.
Sir Constant remained soberminded and watchful. Although he fell into the trap of Sir Joyous, he did not completely let down his guard.
“Through all the feasting he had kept himself sober and vigilant, as became a knight of the Splendid Way (See 1 Peter 5:8); but he had seen others of the same Service strangely heedless, as though no journey lay beyond the gates, no battles to fight, no wrongs to meet and conquer.”
As Sir Constant observed, his comrades were completely anesthetized to the dangers before them. And that is what pleasure will do—it disarms and destroys without resistance or defense.
Secondly, he knew the words of His King. When it came to investigating Sir Joyous’ Palace of Pleasures, Sir Constant knew the words of his King well enough that he could see right away that the book so highly esteemed by Sir Joyous was full of falsehood, laced with lies, and deleteriously lacking the complete truth.
“Of these things he had made a world that Sir Constant knew not at all, a world that had no love but the love of ease and power.”
And, when Sir Constant knew that he was walking in a dangerous situation he took quick action to fight his way out—immediately! May our cry be like that of Sir Constant, “I will not yield even though I be slain.”
“So it was that when he set out he looked not at all to the palace of marble that lay in the park behind, but turned his face steadfastly to the road which led to the Valley of Toil and the Pass of Tears.”
Be on your guard, dear Knight, for in this world of vain comforts you will be sore tempted to take your eyes off of your Savior and on to the passing pleasures of this present world. And then, oh so quickly, your once fervent desire to serve and obey the King is choked out by the “cares and riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). Remember that pleasure before toil, leads to enslavement. Toil before pleasure, leads to enjoyment. In the words of the King, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is all of man”!
Vocabulary Words
Sumptuously: extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent
Discordant: being at variance : disagreeing
Façade: a false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect
Protagonist: the principal character in a literary work (such as a drama or story)
Deleteriously: harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Deep into the Vale of Promise ventures Sir Constant, a young knight who desires nothing more than to be in the service of the Great King. Though unworthy of this high calling, he sets forth on the Splendid Way—the perilous road that all who desire to serve the King must take. His faith and valor will be tested, his strength and endurance will be challenged, and his allegiance to the one true King will be proven. A rich allegory wrought with biblical truth.
The Adventure of the Chapel in the Valley
It all begins with an idea.
Weekly Reading: Sir Knight of the Splendid Way Chapter One
For years, the faithful boy watched knight after knight embark on the Splendid Way, each one’s armor glittering in the bright sun. Before he knew it, a noble desire filled his breast and grew with each passing hour. Dreams of high adventure and noble quests for the Great King filled his thoughts night and day. Yet, he dared not hope that he would ever be able to set out on such an adventure, for he had seen the worth of the King’s knights, and knew it was far beyond his ability.
But the Great King looked not upon the outward appearance. He did not think the boy too young or ill-fitted for such a task. The King was known for using the weak things of the world to baffle the strong. And so, he sent his humble servant, Sir Fortis, to deliver a special message:
“Which of us all is worthy?” [Sir Fortis] said. “Yet who is there that may not be made worthy? I have watched thy longings for many days, and I bid thee fear nothing. It will be my joy to set thee on thy way” (page 10).
Can you imagine the joy that must have filled the young squire’s heart? The Great King called him, lowly as he felt, to set aside his old work of being a squire and become a knight in the army of the King. But first, there was a test that he must pass—a night’s vigil in the Chapel of Voices.
How about you? Do you desire to be called by the King to serve in a special way? Are you passing the tests that he’s placing before you each day? May you be encouraged in knowing this:
“[The Great King] has made everything beautiful in His time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
The Great King is faithful and kind and good. He puts desires into the hearts of his children so that He may fulfill them in His perfect timing, or else replace them with better, kingly desires. We must simply learn the art of obedient surrender. Such is the journey our young squire has set out upon. And what is his reward?
As night fades and morning dawns fresh and clear, a brave voice speaks from the doorway:
“Rise, Sir Knight, for it is morning!”
Can you imagine the thrill in hearing his new name and title? A boy had stepped into the Chapel, but a young man had emerged. A strange new light was upon his countenance. He had seen the King—and that made all the difference.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
1) Why do you think the Splendid Way looked gloomy and foreboding at night but filled with hope and companionship in the day? Do you think the Splendid Way might have both difficult and rewarding times?
2) How did Constant survive his night in the Chapel of Voices?
3) When did Constant become a knight?
Digging Deeper
The following sentence in the story reveals a significant and often overlooked theological truth:
As night fades and morning dawns fresh and clear, a brave voice speaks from the doorway: ‘Rise, Sir Knight, for it is morning,’”
During the first six days of creation, God began each day with the evening. The biblical text reads,
“And evening and morning were the first day.”
Why did God have the day begin with evening. Surely, if you were to go out and randomly ask when each day starts, people would say that the day starts in the morning. But God created the days to start in the evening for a reason. Starting the day with sleeping is a picture of the grave. Each morning that we awaken represents resurrection! God has had mankind practicing the “gospel” since the day he created us!
Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:11a
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
Deep into the Vale of Promise ventures Sir Constant, a young knight who desires nothing more than to be in the service of the Great King. Though unworthy of this high calling, he sets forth on the Splendid Way—the perilous road that all who desire to serve the King must take. His faith and valor will be tested, his strength and endurance will be challenged, and his allegiance to the one true King will be proven. A rich allegory wrought with biblical truth.