Signing the Petitions

Signing The Petitions

                One day a man went to visit his neighbor,  Joe the contractor.  The contractor was sawing boards for a few benches and his adult son was visiting and helping out.  The man asked Joe if he would sign his petitions for tougher laws in the town.  Joe was a decent and well-respected man who’s name carried weight, so, wanting to please his neighbour, he asked “Well, what kind of laws?”

                 The man took out a piece of paper and said “I heard that a lot of the army guys have male servants that keep their beds warm at night, if you know what I mean.   We should pass a law against that.”

                Just then, a young man with long hair and fine features came by to talk to the contractor’s son, thanking him for something or other. (1) The son smiled and said “I’m just happy you are well.  Give my regards to the commander when you see him tonight.”

                Joe said he was glad that the visiting soldiers weren’t trying to marry his daughters and take them away to an unhappy life in some faraway barracks, so kept sawing and didn’t sign.

                The man had another paper.  “Well, we have entirely too many people living together without being married… and you know what they are up to with that, don’t you?” the man said.

                Just then a middle-aged woman of a different race walked up to the contractor’s son and said that she and her live-in boyfriend would be at his next meeting.(2)  The son smiled and said “I’ll see you there if I don’t see you at the old well first.”

                Joe said he was an old married guy so he really didn’t care what the young people were doing these days, so he kept sawing and didn’t sign.

The man showed another paper.  “I’ve heard that a lady has opened up a… you know, house of ill repute on the outskirts of town, so we should pass a by-law against it.”

                Just then, a lady strolled up to Joe’s son.  The man didn’t hear what she was thanking him for as he was busy checking out the outfit she was wearing.(3)   The son said “Be sure to be careful walking home.”

                Joe said he was unsure if by-laws could cover the outskirts of town since he seldom got out that way, so he kept sawing and didn’t sign. 

                The neighbour was frustrated with Joe.  “You don’t care about the problems of the world,” he yelled and stomped off.

                Josh helped stack the wood Joe had cut.  Joe said “It’s sometimes hard having him for a neighbour – all he wants to talk about is sex.”

                Josh looked down the street.  “I hope he’s a fair minded man.  I see my friend Zach from the Revenue Department (4) heading to his house now.”

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1 - Matthew 8:5-13

2-John 4:4-26

3-John 7:53-8:11

4-Luke 19:1-10