When a King Descended
We Jesus followers talk often and sing about the love of God, how it stands sentry at the gate of his essence, how it gives form to all the rest of his attributes, and how because of it we can know God and walk with him throughout our days. But, to me, I still too often hold to these ideas…tentatively. I sometimes wonder if my faults will find me out and that loving God will whack me down, or will just get tired of all my false starts and turn away.
Does God really love me?
The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, in Philosophical Fragments, crafts a long parable describing how he sees God and his pursuit of humanity. It’s worth looking up and reading in its entirety, but here is his opening and the point.
Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. Every statesman trembled before his power. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents. And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden.
How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his very kingliness tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist—no one dared resist him. But would she love him?
She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief for the life she had left behind. Would she be happy at his side? How could he know?
If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving big banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross over the gulf between them.
For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal.
Kierkegaard finishes the story with the king descending, clothing himself as a beggar and comes to the girl in hopes of her love. He had renounced his throne to win her hand. He willingly holds back his power and authority because he desires that which his glory cannot win: love.
This parable puts into story what Paul says in his letter to the believers in Philippi. In describing how Jesus followers are to live, he says for them/us to mimic Jesus. Here’s how the New Living delivers his words describing the descent of Jesus to reach the heart of his creation.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant and was born a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Throughout scripture we watch God entering history to woo and win the hearts of his creation, us. Each time God or one of his angels shows up, the most often repeated phrase in the Bible is pronounced—“Fear not!”—since, just like the king in the Kierkegaard’s story, God’s presence overwhelms people. Even to Mary and the shepherds “Don’t be afraid” must be said before any message can be grasped.
But I don’t recall Jesus having to say those words. As he set aside majesty and lived a life of love for others through teaching and healing and listening and challenging and accepting and enfolding and breaching barriers, there seemed to be no fear from those nearby. The King had descended to win the maiden.
Jesus’ apprentice, John, would write as an old man who had walked with God for decades a wonderful summation of the love of God. Read this section of his letter slowly and paint yourself into the picture.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
I will surely continue to stumble my way through my days. And surely some days will be shadowed by doubt and self-recrimination. I occasionally seem determined to derail my progress with selfish or vengeful or just plain foolish choices. But one thing that will never change is the love the King has for me…and for you.
You are the maiden the king shed his privilege for. You are the one he loves, and he looks for your loving move toward him. The king showed up as a guy who built tables and told stories, and moved into the neighborhood to be known by anyone who is interested. Like you.
Today, friend, don’t be afraid. His perfect love continues to pursue you and me for all of our days. Why not spend some time with the one who loves you best, resting in the knowledge of his love for you, and thanking him for your life in him?
And, to answer my question at the top of this note, Yes, he really does love me, just like he does you.
Music…
Playing for Change for a change of pace
And a just a skosh of Maverick City
Lame jokes? We got ‘em…
An extremely wealthy 65-year-old man falls in love with a young woman in her twenties and is contemplating a proposal.
"Do you think she'd marry me if I tell her I'm 45?" he asked a friend.
"Your chances are better," said the friend, "if you tell her you're 90.
__________
A couple purchased an old home in Northern New York State from two elderly sisters.
Winter was fast approaching and there was little insulation, but the couple figured: "If they could live here all those years, so can we!"
One November night the temperature plunged below zero and the interior walls were covered with frost.
The new owners called the sisters to ask how they had kept the house warm.
Turns out, they always went to Florida for the winter.