Family Likeness
Story★★★More like Jesus while I go, Pilgrim in this world below; Poor in spin’t would I be; Let my Savior dwell in me. More like Jesus when I pray, More like Jesus day by day May I rest me by His side, Where the tranquil waters glide.
C H R I S T L I K E N E S S 1 05 After the death of Gustavus the Great, king of Sweden., in 1632, the chief statesmen of the country met to decide the future government. Some proposed a republic. Others suggested the vacant throne be offered to the king of Poland. In the midst of the deliberations the Chancellor suddenly rose.
“Let there be no talk of a republic or of a Polish king,” he wrote, “for the Great Gustavus has left an heir, a daughter six years of age.” This was not generally known, and the statement was received with surprise. “How do we know that this is not a trick of yours?” one inquired. “We have never seen this child; we were not aware that Gustavus had one.”
“Wait a minute,” replied the Chancellor, ‘’and I will show you.” Leaving the room, he returned with a little girl whom he placed upon the throne where only the rulers of Sweden might sit. The man who had expressed his disbelief pressed forward and gazed intently upon her face. Then, turning to the assembly, he said, “Comrades, I see in this child the features of the Great Gustavus.
Look at her nose, her eyes, her chin; she is indeed the daughter of our king.” This was enough. Young as she was, they acclaimed her, “Christina, Queen of Sweden.” As an heir of God and joint heir of Jesus Christ, you bear the image of our Lord ... the family likeness.
The point
A hymn about growing more like Jesus leads into the story of six-year-old Christina being recognized as Sweden's rightful heir by her resemblance to her father, illustrating that believers are known as God's heirs by their family likeness to Christ.