HORSE

Horse

King Richard’s famous last words after he had lost his horse on the battlefield were, ‘A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!’ (Shakespeare, Richard III, Act V, Scene 4). ‘No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength’ (God, via His psalmist, Psalm 33:16-17). Yes, no doubt a bit of hyperbole was at play in Richard’s plea to save his life. However, in the direness of his dire situation he could very well have meant it at that moment. It is reminiscent of what Satan said regarding Job, 'So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life’ (Job 2:4).

Jesus shifts it from the temporal to the eternal when He asks, ‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Mark 8:36-37). In the hope of saving his terrestrial life, Richard offered his kingdom to anyone who would bring him a horse. What could any of us offer to God for everlasting salvation? A perfect life? Where would you find one of those? And who could afford to buy one? Even a whole kingdom would not be enough to purchase a perfectly sinless life from someone.

All of us are sitting on our high horse so to speak. We need to dismount before God will listen to us. We need to humble ourselves before Him. There is a famous and iconic painting that depicts this humility. It is of a dismounted George Washington kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge, the training ground for the Continental Army during the war for independence as it prepared to fight against the British Army. Hands clasped, head bowed, Washington is in prayer. There is life in the painting. It is depicted by the warmth of his horse’s breath as it crystallizes in the crisp cold air. The horse is waiting on its master while Washington talks to his Master. Who is Washington’s Master? ‘Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS’ (Rev. 19:11-16).

Jesus Christ alone is the perfect One. He is faithful and true, The Word of God. The sharp sword that goes out of His mouth is His gospel. The robe dipped in blood is the blood He shed on the cross for all who believe in Him for salvation, individuals, and, yes, even nations. ‘And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.’ (Matt. 28:18-20).

So, come down off your high horse. Kneel in the snow as it were and swear allegiance to Him to receive His kingdom.