Preacher's Last Request
An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for an IRS agent and his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed.
For a time, no one said anything. Both the IRS agent and Lawyer were touched and flattered that the old preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moment. But they were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them.
They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness and their veracious behavior that made them squirm in their seats.
Finally, the lawyer said, "Preacher, why did you ask the two of us to come?" The old preacher mustered up some strength, then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go, too."
牧師の最後の願い
年老いた牧師が死にかけていました。牧師は教会の会員である国税局の局員と弁護士に伝言を送り、家に来てもらいました。彼らが家に着くと牧師の寝室へと案内されます。二人が部屋に入ると、牧師は両手を差し出し、二人がベッドの両脇に座るようにジェスチャーをします。牧師は二人の手を握ると、満足そうに溜息をつき、微笑みながら天井を見つめます。
しばらくの間、誰も何も言いませんでした。国税局の局員と弁護士の二人は感動し、年老いた牧師が最後の瞬間を二人と過ごす事にしたことを光栄に思っていました。しかしながら彼らは同時に当惑していました。牧師は彼ら二人の事を特別に気に入っている素振りなど一度も見せたことが無かったからです。
二人は牧師が何度も貪欲さ、強欲さについて長時間の居心地悪い説教をし、それに対して彼らがいかにきまりが悪かったかを思い出していました。
ついに弁護士が言います。「牧師様、なぜあなたは私たち二人を呼んだのですか？」 年老いた牧師は力を絞り出し、弱々しくこう言います。「キリストは二人の盗人の間で亡くなられた。私も同じように逝きたいと思ったのだ。」
