a principal, King, on the playground
“Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.”
-Revelation 5:5-6
My kindergarten principal was loved by the students, and honestly, the coolest person. Whenever his schedule allowed, he would come out to recess; often interacting or playing games with the students. Every so often, if we were lucky, he would show us how he could fully extend himself from a pole, talk about core strength! No matter what he did, I remember always being excited when he came and was a part of us.
Did you notice the location of the Lamb that John saw? Go back and read it. The Lamb is among the elders. The Lion of Judah, the sovereign King, is among the people. He was not standing next to God or distanced from the elders, He was among. Let me just type that again. Jesus was AMONG the people.
On this day we celebrate and remember when Jesus, the second person in the Trinity, the very radiant Glory of the Father, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, humbly put on flesh and was born a vulnerable baby. Jesus chose to, because of a great love and compassion for us to bring us back to God’s table. He put on flesh so that he could relate and know the depths of our pain and suffering. Jesus stepped down so that he could call us Sister or Brother.
In this season of Advent and as we look to Overcome, there is a great and steadfast promise that we must hold on to that will never disappoint. Jesus is with us. John saw the throne room and the mighty worship that was happening, a magnificent and awesome vision to experience. Where was Jesus? He was still among us.
He will ALWAYS be among us.
Earlier in Revelation, when John first sees Jesus, notice how it is set up. “…When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man…Then I saw Jesus, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
Again…Jesus is AMONG the golden lampstands (representing the greater church). In that moment of fear, Jesus walks over to John and places his hand upon John’s shoulder, offering a word of Hope and Encouragement. For John and the Church, at a moment of heightened persecution, fear, and confusion, Jesus steps over and affirms and offers Hope in Himself.
Here is the Great News, the same promise and Hope is ours! This Advent and Christmas season as we look ahead, despite the suffering and longing, Jesus stands in our midst, WITH US. No greater promise than Immanuel.
When my principal was among us, interacting and engaging in games of soccer or kickball, something changed. Students’ behaviors were different and the level of excellence and cooperation was raised. Why? The principal was in our midst setting the standard for which we would play. Let us not forget that Jesus is in our midst setting a standard for the Church as he works through us. This was the reality and life lived out for the early Church. It wasn’t some distant belief structure or institutional program; it was a transformed reality. This made all the difference for them despite the circumstances.
The world is in turmoil and while apathy is tempting or, even worse, submitting to gross charades of leadership that circumvent the Gospel with perversions of power and abuse, we must hold the Wall of the Gospel. Stay constant and do not back down from God’s Kingdom call to Love and Servanthood. Our King is in our midst!
This Christmas Eve, may we find strength in the knowledge and hope that our King is in our midst. May we open ourselves to his transforming power and delight in his presence despite the circumstances to overcome. May our level of excellence and cooperation be raised by his presence as we work in unison to overcome.
