The Adventure of the False Sir Joyous
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.
