King's X?

King's X?
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Think back to your childhood a moment.  That's further back for some of us than for others, so I'll give you some time here ;-)

Do you remember the games you played ("98, 99, 100.  Ready or not, here I come!"), the chants to which you skipped rope ("Down in the valley where the green grass grows ..."), the phrases you called out ("Ollie, Ollie in-come free!").  And do you remember all the "magic" phrases that everyone just seemed to accept as having authority and that ruled our interactions with one another ("Tag!  You're it!"). 

When we were kids we said a lot of things and in a lot of ways that had meaning to us, then, but, which have not always found their way into our adult communications.  We had elaborate languages, games, and conducts that made perfect sense to us ... then.  Many of these were puzzling to our parents and other adults who crossed through our wonder years.  I think they were puzzling partly because while some things travel through time ("Ring around the Rosie, pocket full of posies"), each generation has some things that are unique.  Some of it was just not recognizable to adults because it was particular to us.  Still, I think the bigger problem was that adults forget.  As we age, we find that those raw honesties of childhood are not welcome among our peers.  And so, we adults let them go.

But some of those terms and phrases hang on; things like "no tag backs" and "King's X."  As adults we recall the power these had during our childhood, while also recognizing that few adult situations will bend to their authority.  There was a time, though, when calling out "no tag backs" could ward off pulling double duty as "it" and when yelling "King's X!" could bring any game or activity to a complete halt.

We yelled "King's X" when something unanticipated arose, a game-changer if you will.  This could be something as simple as a bee flying onto the field.  Or, it could be a far more complex situation, such as when some of us realized some others of us were playing by different rules.  We stopped whatever we were doing until everyone could agree that it was OK to continue with the game; until the "norm" was either restored or reset.

It is this time of year, when we are focused on crucifixions and resurrections, that the phrase "King's X" always come to my mind.  I recall that verse in 1st Corinthians: "No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.  But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord." (1 Corinthians 2:7, 8 NLT).

I can't help but think those "rulers of this world" wished they could have yelled out "King's X!" when it finally began to sink in what all their evil machinations had ACTUALLY produced.  Their "Game of Graves" had been turned upside down.  What they intended for evil, God intended for eternal good.  Not only did they not see it coming, they facilitated it!

So, no.  No "King's X."  And, just in case it didn't come clear to them when Jesus rose from the grave, "No do-overs!"

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

Psalm 114
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 
Luke 24:13-49

We're getting together for breakfast Friday morning at 8:00 at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown Waco on 6th, near the Courthouse).  Join us!  It's a feast for body and soul.

Enjoy the week!
Steve