In the 8th century, caliphs in Arabia would don disguises and take to the streets they ruled. Unsuspecting people would find themselves in a sudden faceoff with the justice of their king or an unexpected touch of his grace. In an act of historical imitation, King Abdullah II of Jordan is known for his collection of fake beards, curly wigs, and colorful costumes. He has filed tax returns, walked among vendors, and sampled life from a different view while in disguise. Once he pulled up in a rental car with a video camera and interviewed people as a TV correspondent. He has appeared as an old man signing up for health care. Looking for the King has become almost like a search for appearances of Elvis in Jordan.
I’ve met people who think of God as a King Abdullah. Not with God disguising himself as people, but through circumstances. However, it is never the surprise of grace they are looking for. People wait for God to appear to rap their knuckles, take away their joy, and bring them misery. They expect God to draw of His mask and be a terrifying lion and never a gentle lamb. Others see only a God of mercy, who hold no one to accountability and overlooks every transgression, while opening loving arms as. He is never a lion and always a lamb.
God finds disguises unnecessary. He declares He is everywhere. We’re the ones who place the Grocho Marx glasses on Him and hope we can forget He is there. As to His character, He is both the Lion and the Lamb. He is the King. He is the Savior. Never is He one over the other. He holds you accountable and asks you to follow Him. And when we fall short of the expectations of the King, He points you to the cross and price paid.
And so tremble at the fact your salvation was bought by the Lion who is also the Lamb.
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