Sunday, March 15, 2009

Did Jesus Christ Ever Kill a Lion?

A story is told about a missionary who went to a remote area in Tanzania to proclaim the Gospel among the Maasai, an ethnic group well known as a fierce warrior people. One day the missionary was telling a group of adults the saving activity of Jesus Christ. He explained that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour and Redeemer of all humankind.

When he finished, a Maasai elder slowly stood up and said to the missionary, "You have spoken well, but I want to learn more about this great person, Jesus Christ. I have three questions about him. First, did he ever kill a lion? Second, how many cows did he have? Third, how many wives and children did he have?"

True story, Tanzania, from African Stories for Preachers and Teachers, compiled by Joseph G. Healey (Nairobi: Paulines Publications Africa, 2005), 33.

3 comments:

Subi Nukta said...

That's hilarious!
A reflection and definition of a 'great man' from a Maasai's perspective, bearing in mind their culture and traditions in defining who a 'great man should be'. I can't blame him.
Thanks Prof. Mbele, for sharing.

malkiory said...

Very interesting story!

I guess masai's response to the missionaries was proper and genuine.

Instead of preaching about the Jesus of Nazareth, they were supposed to deliver lessons about initiation ceremony.

Admin said...

good question. I like this