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In the Middle Ages the feudal lord was a man of great power, wealth, and lands. His holdings were so vast that it was often impractical for him to personally oversee them. The feudal lord would seek out an honorable knight who would be willing to become his vassal. Today the word “vassal” is often equated with slavery, but that is far from the truth. Many great Barons were vassals of an Earl or Duke. The act of becoming a vassal was called “homage”. The knight would kneel with his hands clasped before the feudal lord. He would swear his loyalty and proclaim that from that day forward, the feudal lord become his lord. He would obey with mind, heart, and being, even to the point of death. This pledge was important, for the feudal lord would call upon his vassal knights to do battle in the time of war. The feudal lord would stretch forth his hands and clasp those of his new vassal. He would proclaim a benefice, the granting of lands, and these lands would provide for the vassal and that he, the feudal lord would defend him in time of need. As can be seen there were great advantages to paying homage and becoming a vassal of a great lord. Times have changed and the political, social, and economic systems have changed as well. But even today men seek out a great lord to whom they can pay homage and become his vassal. It seems strange that a society so full of personal freedoms is so full of want and anxiety. There is today a great lord who so desires vassals. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords; He is Jesus, the Son of God. To all those who would pay homage he would grant a benefice. Their very acts of treason to His throne would be forgiven. They would be provided for from the vastness of his estate. He himself would defend them from the onslaught of their enemies, and he would grant them a title and name that is better than any baron, earl, or duke. For Jesus has paid the price for our adoption as sons and daughters, princes and princess in the kingdom of his Father, God. As great knights of old paid homage to their feudal lord, so must we kneel before Jesus Christ and with hands clasped in prayer, beg forgiveness of our treason, proclaim Him as Lord of our lives, and swear an undying obedience and fealty to Him. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? The act of homage is an act of the heart. It was so in medieval history, and it is so today. Make the decision to pay homage and make Jesus the Lord of your life today.
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