Friend of the Friendless - Greg King

For a month earlier this year, he appeared on our national news almost nightly.  Defending Ewen McDonald, the accused in the Scott Guy murder case, Greg King rose to prominence for his impassioned defence throughout the trial.  Once the verdict was reached and King had successfully defended his client such that he was found 'Not Guilty' of the murder of Scott Guy, King was 'known' by most New Zealanders.  His stock rose.  As result of his of evident talent, desire for his services grew.  Whatever people thought of the actual verdict, there was widespread admiration for King's ability and intellect.

Last weekend, we were shocked to hear the news of Greg King's death at the relatively young age of 43, leaving behind a wife and two young daughters.  It appears likely that he took the decision to end his own life.  A nation has been stunned by the news.  As with any situation like this, there are many questions and relatively few answers.  

Yesterday, mourners gathered in Wellington Cathedral to farewell and pay tribute to a life cut tragically short.  One of the more striking aspects of his funeral was that people from a wide spread of society gathered.  There were lawyers, MPs, Judges, former All Blacks and other high-flying members of society.  But in the midst of these mourners, there were gang members, wearing their patches.  Tributes flowed from his friends and family, but also from family of the victims in the cases he defended the accused.  Greg King was simply popular with most, if not all.  The day after his death, the NZ Herald led with the headline "Friend of the Friendless".  

As I've reflected on all this, it's saddened me.  King lived with his family just a short walk from our home.  His children are only a little older than ours.  He worked in a profession and I admire and look to learn from.  In short, he was a man from whom many could learn much.  Greg King endeared himself to many, proving that no-one was too far from his reach.  No matter who you were, what you had done, what others thought of you, King had time for you.

It reminds me of Jesus - the people Jesus wants to spend time with are not just the good and the great, but they are the outcasts of society, the people no-one has time for.  In Luke 14, Jesus tells the story of a man preparing a great banquet where he invites people along.  Those invited make their excuses - from being recently married, to buying a field or oxen.  As a result, the man tells his servant to go into the streets and alleys and bring in the poor, lame, blind and crippled.  This has been done and still there is room.  And so, the man tells his servant to go into the roads and country lanes and compel them to come! 

In Greg King, I see something of Jesus - a man who had time for anyone and everyone.  He was a man who had time for the good and the great, but also had time and energy for the least and unlovely.  No matter who you are, or what you've done - come to Jesus.  He waits with arms open wide.  And once you have, go to others, no matter who they are and invite, no, 'compel' them to come to Jesus.