The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down...about a man who so loved a
woman that he paid far more for her than was required by law. In this village,
the law passed down from generation to generation was when a man desired a wife,
he would pay her father 2 fat pigs, and upon approval, the man could then take
the lady to be his wife. And so it was, and so it has always been, until one
day a man came to town, a stranger, and settled down. No one knew much about
him, except he was a man of honor, and looking for a wife. So as the word
spread, all the pretty young girls made themselves available for him, and in a
village known for its beautiful women, the choices were unlike any other ever
known. But the man was looking for more than outer beauty, and all the women
who met failed to meet his heart’s requirement. Disillusioned, but not giving
up, he was finally invited to dinner by the last pretty woman, and while at
dinner, her sister sat quietly. This sister was unlike all the other women in
the village, as she was not pretty, but rather drab and unattractive. But as
the meal went on, and she became involved in the conversation, it was obvious
that this man had no interest in the beautiful sister, but was becoming fond of
the homely one. And so the romance had begun.
After a few more meals, it became obvious that she was the one, and so he
approached her father to ask for her in marriage. Unaware of the 2 fat pig
requirement for marriage, he left vowing to return when he could obtain the 2
fat pigs required. But being a businessman, and not a farmer, he knew nothing
about pigs, and had to rely on the village folk for advice and for the pigs.
Two fat pigs for her? They were aghast. After a period of time, he finally
arrived at her door, a period of time long enough that he hadn’t seen his love,
and she began to wonder if he was ever coming back. And her father wondered
too, because this strange man was the only hope his daughter ever had of
marriage. So when the man arrived that afternoon, and knocked on the door, and
inquired again about the 2 pig law, the father thought maybe since he is a
stranger, and my daughter not as beautiful as the others in the village, 1 pig
will be OK. But to his surprise, when the man nodded OK in agreement with the 2
pigs, the father was shocked to see him unloading 5 pigs from the cart. “But
only 2 are required,” he explained again. But the man insisted on the 5, and
such a gift for a woman had never been seen in the village before. Maybe for a
beautiful woman, some would argue, but not a homely one, and after being
questioned, he insisted, and the girl was awarded to him. He only hoped 5 pigs
were enough, he would get more if needed. Thankfully his gift as accepted, the
father still shaking his head in disbelief, the village in an uproar over what
had happened.
A short marriage followed, with all the village folk talking about the man
who gave 5 pigs for this homely woman, and wondering if the man was crazy. And
he probably was, when only 2 were required. But soon after being married, they
moved away, selling off their goods, and moving to a far away city. And a
period of years went by, with the entire village from her father and sisters, to
the other men and women ever wondering what had happened to this couple. And
you know how rumors persist, and some wondered if something bad had happened to
her. Sweet yes, beautiful no, but not deserving of foul play. And the legend
grew....
One day a young couple came into town to visit. They looked familiar, and
when asked where they were from, answered the big city, but yet they looked
familiar. Particularly the woman, as pretty as any of the village women, maybe
prettier with a quality that went beyond her physical appearance, and finally
one asked her who she was. Blushingly she told them her father’s name, and they
recognized it, but didn’t remember him having a daughter with such beauty and
grace. Only the daughter still at home, and the homely one who married and
moved away. The one the stranger had given 5 pigs for. But as the people
gathered to find out more about her, one woman who had been staring at her
exclaimed, “I know who you are.” But was wrong. Finally the man silenced the
crowd and introduced his bride-she was the homely sister, the 5 pig woman! But
what had happened to her, she was even more beautiful than any other in the
village? When the man chose her for his bride, he saw an inner beauty, and as
he loved her more, she became beautiful on the outside. Her beauty that came
from within now surrounded her everywhere, as the man who had paid 5 pigs no
more was known as a fool, but had known what he was buying, and no price was too
much for the beauty of his wife. He was ready to offer 10 pigs if necessary, he
loved her that much, and she was that beautiful to him. Then and now. a lesson
for the village about true beauty, and how it comes from within, and is more
than skin deep. A beauty that this homely woman had once only had inside became
evident for all to see when the right groom came along and paid the price for
her. And soon she was known as the most beautiful woman ever to grace the
village, and 5 pigs became the new price for a wife. A new standard of love had
been set...all because a man saw a woman for what she could be, and loved her.
And watched as she became the most beautiful woman had ever known because of his
love.
At one time we were all that woman, ugly and not desired. But Jesus looked
beyond our outward beauty, and paid the highest price for us-His life. And when
we came to Him, we became that beautiful bride in Christ. And someday when
reunited with Him in heaven, the honeymoon will go on forever. He paid a price
none other had ever paid for us, and His offer is still there for those who will
accept it. The world offers beauty, but the Lord offers beauty, rest, peace,
and a beauty that starts inside and shows outside. He sees us as we can be in
Him, and loves us just as we are. Don’t let this man become a stranger in your
village of life. Let Him in today, and become the beauty He desires in you.
Better than any 2 pig, or even 5 pig offering, He paid the highest price,
without being asked, that’s how much He loves us. Even to the big lake they
call Gitchagoomi...
A beauty that will touch ever aspect of your life, and give you a new
standard of love. 36 years ago I ventured into California, and was willing to
pay that price for my bride. I offered her 1 motorcycle, but would offer 10, or
no matter how many it would take. And today she is even more beautiful to me
than ever, the second best deal I ever made, after Jesus. And today she even
has her own motorcycle to ride...and is beautiful in so many ways I feel sorry
for anyone else. Perhaps the best compliment is my sons want to marry someone
like her...Jesus gave more than was required, but He knew what He was getting.
Accept His offer today, and find that everything you ever wanted or needed is
right there in Him. The perfect solution to life. Let’s begin.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together...In Jesus. To all you 2 pig
people, welcome. You’re beautiful. Legendary love available only at the
cross.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com