Do you know what happened eight hundred years ago this week? John, King of England, stood in a field in Runnymede. He stamped his seal on a document. The year was 1215. Paper hadn’t been invented yet. The document was written on calfskin. And its message changed the world forever.

Back then, kings had absolute power. A king could put someone in prison for no reason at all. Kings didn’t have to follow their own laws. The agreement was called the Magna Carta. It said people had basic rights. It said a king did not get complete control.

On Monday, June 15th, Great Britain celebrated the great agreement in the same Runnymede field. Soldiers stood guard. Queen Elizabeth II watched. Many Americans attended too. The Magna Carta was an inspiration for the U.S. Constitution. And just think—it all started in a field!

Now therefore, O kings, be wise. — Psalm 2:10