Think back to your childhood a moment. Do you remember the games we all played ("98, 99, 100. Ready or not, here I come!"), the chants to which we skipped rope ("Down in the valley where the green grass grows ..."), the imperatives we called out ("Ollie, Ollie in-come free!")? Do you remember all those "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. Sadly, most have not found their way into our adult communications. We had elaborate languages, games, and conducts that made perfect sense to us ... then.
Many were puzzling to the adults who crossed through our wonder years. I think I know why: while some things travel through time ("Ring around the Rosies, pocket full of posies"), some are unique to each generation. Some of our stuff was just not recognizable to adults ... for the very simple reason that it was particular to us.
Still, I think the bigger problem was that adults forget ... maybe on purpose. As we age, we find that the raw honesties of childhood are less and less welcome among our peers. 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 actually 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, and particularly when reading this week’s Lectionary selections where we are focused on crucifixions and resurrections, that the phrase "King's X" returns to the top of my mind. I recall that verse in 1st Corinthians chapter 2 which says of these events: "But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord."
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 with the crucifixion of Jesus. Their "Game of Graves" had been turned upside down by the resurrection. Not only did they not see it coming, they facilitated it! What they intended for evil, God intended for eternal good.
So, no ... No King's X.
And —just in case it wasn’t clear to them when Jesus rose from the grave, let’s declare it, now— "No do-overs!"
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A somewhat different version of this reflection appeared at Easter 2012.
CHESS PIECE IMAGE: Designed by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
X IMAGE: https://x.company/
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Table of Easter Season Readings:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//lections.php?year=B&season=Easter
Easter (April 1, 2018)
Resurrection of the Lord
Acts 10:34-43
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18
Mark 16:1-8
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Friday mornings are a special time for us. And it all happens between 8:00 and 9:00 at the Waco “Egg and I.” DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast is the place where we eat, read scripture, pray, kick around ideas, and dig for the answers. Bookend those with coffee and laughter. Very nice.
Blessings,
Steve
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