The film Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe is a powerful reminder of things dear to us. It is essentially a film about leadership, contrasting the leadership qualities of two kings - Richard the Lionheart and his brother John - with that of the more common Robert Longstride aka Robin Hood. True to history, Richard and John are portrayed as flawed kings; Richard is blinded by a desire for military glory and John by material greed and a lust for power. The good thing about the film is that it clearly leaves room in the viewer's imagination for the possibilities and potential of good kingship. John is urged by his counsellor to be a shepherd king but, of course, rejects the advice.
Robin Hood's leadership is based on his integrity as a man. There is a great scene in the film where, under Robin's leadership and stewardship, the village he becomes lord of is enjoying a night of celebration and revelry. All the village's young men have left to become scavengers hiding in the nearby forest. However, they all sneak back to see the village having its big celebration. The symbolism is potent: the "orphaned" and the outcast are drawn back to the joy in the camp, a camp transformed by a real fathering leader. The film cries out for such leadership. By the end of the movie, Robin leads these young men in a clear fathering role.
The key of David requires such fathering leadership. In Isaiah 22, the self-serving ministry of Shebna is rejected for the father-heart ministry of Eliakim. Sardis is the church where leadership is based on rank and title. It is the church where pastors and teachers hold sway, with the tolerance of the evangelist ministry. The Church of Philadelphia, by contrast, is where leadership is based on having a shepherd's heart and is where apostles and prophets are restored to their true governmental authority.
Those who see Robin Hood as a lick against monarchy and a blow for democracy are missing the point. The point is not that leadership of a commoner is to be preferred over that of a king. The point is that true leadership is fathering and shepherding. Kings can have these qualities; in fact, I believe the film very blatantly posits the question: What if the man on the Throne had the qualities of Robin Hood?
Such a shepherd king upon the Throne of Britain is our heart's longing.
Robin Hood's leadership is based on his integrity as a man. There is a great scene in the film where, under Robin's leadership and stewardship, the village he becomes lord of is enjoying a night of celebration and revelry. All the village's young men have left to become scavengers hiding in the nearby forest. However, they all sneak back to see the village having its big celebration. The symbolism is potent: the "orphaned" and the outcast are drawn back to the joy in the camp, a camp transformed by a real fathering leader. The film cries out for such leadership. By the end of the movie, Robin leads these young men in a clear fathering role.
The key of David requires such fathering leadership. In Isaiah 22, the self-serving ministry of Shebna is rejected for the father-heart ministry of Eliakim. Sardis is the church where leadership is based on rank and title. It is the church where pastors and teachers hold sway, with the tolerance of the evangelist ministry. The Church of Philadelphia, by contrast, is where leadership is based on having a shepherd's heart and is where apostles and prophets are restored to their true governmental authority.
Those who see Robin Hood as a lick against monarchy and a blow for democracy are missing the point. The point is not that leadership of a commoner is to be preferred over that of a king. The point is that true leadership is fathering and shepherding. Kings can have these qualities; in fact, I believe the film very blatantly posits the question: What if the man on the Throne had the qualities of Robin Hood?
Such a shepherd king upon the Throne of Britain is our heart's longing.
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