shakespearean poimena

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Shakespeare opens his play "Julius Caesar" with a most curious situation. The setting is the Feast of Lupercal (February 15) and the people have taken to the streets to celebrate in a holiday-fashion Caesar's victory over Pompey in a civil war. Marullus and Flavius, two tribunes (government officials) who supported Pompey, attempt to discourage celebrating workers.

Addressing the commoners, Flavius inquires of one concerning his profession, learning he is "a mender of bad soles." Shakespeare gives the audience a joke, which Flavius does not get, for the man is a cobbler, a shoe repairman; however, the joke comes to light when the cobbler clarifies his trade by telling Flavius, "I can mend you." The cobbler explains, "Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork."

Shakespeares' joke is that, while the man may indeed be a cobbler (working with "all/awl"), he is not at all in agreement with who Flavius is and all he supports. This commoner tells the official he is able to fix him as a person, as a "mender of bad soles."

Think for a moment about that phrase ("mender of bad soles") and realize the depth of the pun when he says, "I can fix you"-- he is a mender of "bad souls" and he works "with awe" (another pun). He is as much a pastor (Greek, "poimena") as he is a cobbler!

Get it?

The question we could entertain at this point is, "are you a cobbler?" When it comes to evangelism, how is your dexterity for shoes in danger; that is, how are you at mending bad souls? What's business been like lately? Are people being changed who come into your shop?

"Rescue the perishing,
Duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor
the Lord will provide.

Back to the narrow way
Patiently win them;
Tell the poor wanderer
A Savior has died!

Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save."

("Rescue the Perishing". Fanny Crosby (1820 - 1915))

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