“The Key”
by
Rose Nesbitt
The elderly Luke Tyler sat on a wooden bench on a busy sidewalk. His wrinkled hands held a set of gold and silver-colored keys, and on his lap lay a black Book. His eyes were closed, and he was deep in thought. Like a statue, he sat as still as stone while men and women passed.
A well-dressed man stood by him for a moment. Then he asked Luke, “What do those keys go to?”
Luke smiled but did not open his eyes. “I hold the Key to eternal riches and a mansion.”
The rich man laughed in reply. “I have two mansions and wealth unimaginable to you. I doubt that those keys lead to anything fit for me.” He proudly walked away.
A young boy stood by his mother, as they waited for a cab, rather close to Luke. The boy stared, then, with curious eyes, asked, “What do those keys go to?”
Luke opened his eyes and smiled. “I hold the Key to everlasting Life.”
The young child shook his head, “You don’t really think that those keys go to ‘everlasting life’, do you? I have a long life to live anyway.” He ran off to a cab with his mother.
Luke continued to sit by himself on the wooden bench until another elderly gentleman came and sat by him. The gentleman’s eyes poured out tears, and, though he tried to hide them, they fell. Each one falling onto his waistcoat.
Luke sat as still as rock but opened his eyes to look on the crying man. Before he could say anything, the weeping senior inquired of his keys.
Luke smiled, “I hold the Key to happiness.” He kindly said.
“May I have one?” asked the sad gentleman.
“The Key is here on my lap. It’s the Book that tells of salvation from sin and shame.” Luke explained.
Luke shared the Good News with him. Then those tears of sorrow became tears of joy; the Gift had been received.
“But what do the keys really go to?” the gentleman asked Luke.
Luke gave a hearty laugh of joy, “They’re a symbol of prayer. As easy as it is to open the door that once separated two sides, we can unlock the door between us and God and pray to Him!”
“Ha-ha! That is most pleasing to hear! Thank you, sir.” He went away joyful.