The Parable of Jack Black

Jack Black was a stunning, black Friesian workhorse.

All he had ever known was work. He used his strength to pull carts that his owner would attach to his harness. Jack Black would obediently pull anything that was asked of him.

He was strong but also gentle. Even when working, if a child came near and wanted to pet him, he would lower his head so they could stroke his soft, velvety nose.

At the end of the day, he loved it when his harness and cart were removed, and his owner brushed him down. He was then allowed to roll in the grass and stretch his sore muscles by trotting around the perimeter of his field.

He enjoyed his meal of fresh hay and loved munching on the sweet grass. He enjoyed the company of the other work horses.

One day, his owner came to him. He slowly put on his harness and took him to a different yard.

Jack Black noticed that his owner looked sad. He didn’t realise this would be the last time he would be led by this kind and gentle owner.

He was put in a horse box with other workhorses; the journey felt long. Jack Black wanted to get to his field and stretch his legs.

It was dark by the time the horse box door opened. A tall man brought him out. He had a rough but gentle voice.

Jack Black sniffed the night air and shuddered. His new place had an eerie smell. He didn’t sleep well that night. He heard loud bangs, and the horses in the adjacent stables were whining.

His new owner, whom someone called the wagon master, came for him the next morning.

Jack Black could tell he was a man of authority but didn’t abuse his power. He spoke firmly but gently to those he was given orders to.

The wagon master slipped on his harness, then attached himself to a wagon full of metal machinery.

He guided him to a field where many men were all holding metal on their shoulders.

Jack black heard a bang and shivered. For the first time in his life, he was afraid. He did something that he had never done in his whole working life. He halted. The fear surged through his body, and he couldn’t move forward. He knew he was going into something unsafe.

The wagon master stood beside him and whispered in his ear, “You are Jack Black; you are a Friesian horse; you do not need to fear. I will not leave you. You were made for this”

With this, Jack Black moved slowly forward, knowing who he was and to whom he belonged.

Jack Black and the wagon master formed a deep bond, and the wagon master became a real comfort to him through some dark days.

Months later, the war was over, and instead of being handed over to another owner. The wagon master decided to keep Jack black and brought him home to live on his farm.

The farm was small, with only a few ponies in the field. Adjacent to his field stood a run-down, roofless stone barn surrounded by a dry stone wall, half of which was missing.

Jack black would start his days in the enclosure of the barn. He would eat the longer grass, then make his way back into the vast field, looking out over the hills.

As the days turned into months, the war became a distant memory for Jack black.

Nothing was required of him in this home. All he was needed for was to keep the grass short and be available for those families who came to visit the farm and wanted to pet the horses.

One sunny morning, Jack Black walked slowly into his enclosure as was his daily custom.

He dipped his head down and started pulling up the long lush grass.

Unbeknownst to him, a sly pony stealthily walked up behind him and nipped his hind leg sharply.

Jack black reared his front legs up in fright. Fear flooded through his veins, and he galloped out of the enclosure into the field. The pony followed behind him, neighing with glee that he, the smallest of ponies on the farm, had managed to spook the strongest, largest work horse, Jack black.

His breath slowed down, and suddenly the words came to mind of his master

‘You are Jack Black, a Friesian horse; you do not need to fear. I am with you. You are not alone.’

He shook his head as he realised that he had let fear get to him and he had forgotten who he was and who he belonged to.

So do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah Ch 41:10