A FOOL

The late W. Kelly, preacher & Bible expositor who has written many commentaries on the Scriptures, was a distinguished Hebrew & Greek scholar.

His nephew took the Classics course at the University & the Greek Professor was so impressed with the accuracy, beauty & perfection of his Greek prose that he called him & asked who helped him in his translations. The young man confessed that he had the help of his uncle, W. Kelly.

“I should like to meet your uncle,” said the Greek professor.

“That can, I think, be arranged & I am sure it will give him pleasure to meet you,” replied the student.

So he brought his uncle along at a time convenient to his Professor, introduced him & left them together. 

As they conversed on the Greek language, the Professor's eyes opened wider & wider at Mr. Kelly's profound erudition & extraordinary knowledge of the Greek language & usage.

Then he said, “And may I enquire what your vocation is, Mr. Kelly?”  

“Certainly,” replied the expositor, “I am a preacher & travel here & there all over the country ministering the Word of God to groups of Christians.”

Taking a deep breath of surprise, the Professor said abruptly, “Man, you're a fool.”

Immediately came W. Kelly's reply, “For which world, Professor?”

Mark 8:34-35 (NET):  Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.”

- (moreillustrations.com)