From the Bruderhof Peacemaker's Guide:
Once upon a time there was a boy named Opherus. He was strong, so strong that he didn't know what to do with all his strength. His father often had trouble finding work for him because, in spite of his good will, he did more harm than his work was worth. All his father’s tools were too weak for his massive arms.
By the time he was a young man, Opherus looked like a giant. Exasperated, his father said to him, “Opherus, I cannot be your master anymore. You must find a greater and stronger master to serve, one who will use your strength in a right and proper way.” Opherus left home and went to the king of the land and offered his service. The king was at war and was happy to have such a strong soldier. Opherus served his king faithfully for several years.
One day a visitor mentioned the devil to Opherus. When Opherus told the king about the conversation, the king looked terrified. He had to admit to Opherus that he was afraid of the devil. So Opherus left the king to seek this devil who was so powerful that even kings were afraid of him.
It did not take long to find the devil. Opherus found him to be a strong warrior who gladly took him into his service. And Opherus became a faithful servant of the devil for many years. He did horrible things, but he was happy because he had found a strong master.
One day, Opherus rode out with the devil. Riding down a lonely country road, they came upon a wayside cross. The devil, shuddering, made a detour around the cross. Opherus was startled and asked the devil what was wrong.
The devil told him about Jesus, who had hung on the cross, and that he was even stronger than the devil. Leaving the devil, Opherus immediately set out in search of Christ. His search was long and hard, and along the way he realized that he was burdened with many evil and wrong deeds. Nearing despair, he met a hermit and asked him how to find Christ. The hermit told him that he first had to find remorse and repentance. But Opherus told the hermit he wanted to do more than just sit and repent.
The hermit then showed him a great river which travelers had to cross. It had no bridge. The water was deep and the current was strong. He told Opherus, “If you carry poor wayfarers over this river for love’s sake, you may find what you seek.”
Opherus did exactly this for many years. He did not spare himself. He was ready night and day to help travelers. He built himself a hut by the river bank, and if somebody called for help he obliged. But all this time, he had only one longing: to find Christ.
One stormy night he heard a child’s voice, “Opherus, carry me over.” He left his house and found a child huddled on the riverbank. He picked up this child and started to cross the river. But the child became heavier and heavier, so that Opherus almost broke down under the weight. Opherus cried out, “Oh, little child, you seem to be so very heavy—it is as if I were carrying the whole earth on my shoulders.”
The child answered, “You not only carry the world and the heavens, but you carry him who bears the whole need of the world upon himself. I am Jesus Christ, your King whom you seek and whom you serve. From now on you will fear neither death nor the devil. You will walk through the suffering of this world and your name will be Christopherus, which means ‘bearer of Christ.’ Your soul will be illuminated with the love of God, and you will show mercy to men.” Then the child disappeared.
Christopherus followed Christ's commandment and went out to the people of the earth. Wherever he went he witnessed to the love and power of the child, his King.
Many of his friends did not like the change in Opherus. This turned into hatred and they banded together to kill him. But his voice and his challenge to become carriers of Christ could never be killed.
Once upon a time there was a boy named Opherus. He was strong, so strong that he didn't know what to do with all his strength. His father often had trouble finding work for him because, in spite of his good will, he did more harm than his work was worth. All his father’s tools were too weak for his massive arms.
By the time he was a young man, Opherus looked like a giant. Exasperated, his father said to him, “Opherus, I cannot be your master anymore. You must find a greater and stronger master to serve, one who will use your strength in a right and proper way.” Opherus left home and went to the king of the land and offered his service. The king was at war and was happy to have such a strong soldier. Opherus served his king faithfully for several years.
One day a visitor mentioned the devil to Opherus. When Opherus told the king about the conversation, the king looked terrified. He had to admit to Opherus that he was afraid of the devil. So Opherus left the king to seek this devil who was so powerful that even kings were afraid of him.
It did not take long to find the devil. Opherus found him to be a strong warrior who gladly took him into his service. And Opherus became a faithful servant of the devil for many years. He did horrible things, but he was happy because he had found a strong master.
One day, Opherus rode out with the devil. Riding down a lonely country road, they came upon a wayside cross. The devil, shuddering, made a detour around the cross. Opherus was startled and asked the devil what was wrong.
The devil told him about Jesus, who had hung on the cross, and that he was even stronger than the devil. Leaving the devil, Opherus immediately set out in search of Christ. His search was long and hard, and along the way he realized that he was burdened with many evil and wrong deeds. Nearing despair, he met a hermit and asked him how to find Christ. The hermit told him that he first had to find remorse and repentance. But Opherus told the hermit he wanted to do more than just sit and repent.
The hermit then showed him a great river which travelers had to cross. It had no bridge. The water was deep and the current was strong. He told Opherus, “If you carry poor wayfarers over this river for love’s sake, you may find what you seek.”
Opherus did exactly this for many years. He did not spare himself. He was ready night and day to help travelers. He built himself a hut by the river bank, and if somebody called for help he obliged. But all this time, he had only one longing: to find Christ.
One stormy night he heard a child’s voice, “Opherus, carry me over.” He left his house and found a child huddled on the riverbank. He picked up this child and started to cross the river. But the child became heavier and heavier, so that Opherus almost broke down under the weight. Opherus cried out, “Oh, little child, you seem to be so very heavy—it is as if I were carrying the whole earth on my shoulders.”
The child answered, “You not only carry the world and the heavens, but you carry him who bears the whole need of the world upon himself. I am Jesus Christ, your King whom you seek and whom you serve. From now on you will fear neither death nor the devil. You will walk through the suffering of this world and your name will be Christopherus, which means ‘bearer of Christ.’ Your soul will be illuminated with the love of God, and you will show mercy to men.” Then the child disappeared.
Christopherus followed Christ's commandment and went out to the people of the earth. Wherever he went he witnessed to the love and power of the child, his King.
Many of his friends did not like the change in Opherus. This turned into hatred and they banded together to kill him. But his voice and his challenge to become carriers of Christ could never be killed.
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