ZA MAGAZINE // seek truth.

If you know me or have read my bio on this site, then you know one of my interests is wolves. To me, they are incredibly smart, noble, and majestic creatures. There are a lot of facts about the wolf that fascinate me. Teamwork is executed inside the pack in order to ensure the survival for all of its members. There is a structure to the pack. Every wolf plays a part, and each animal’s status within the pack is determined by nature.

You must be wondering where I’m going with this ecological study session, but in order to understand the terminology and the roles with whom I equate Jesus Christ, you must first learn about two wolves and their status within the pack structure.

The Alpha Wolf

He is the leader and most powerful member of the pack. He gets the freshest meat after a kill, making his status apparent to the other members of the pack. He is the strongest, toughest, and healthiest member of the pack. He is the only male allowed to breed, because his genes are the best and the only ones worth passing on to the next generation.

The Omega Wolf

He is the lowest standing member of the pack. He gets the scraps from the kill. He is the weakest of the pack, always being subservient to the other members of the pack, lest he be shunned from the pack, or killed for not showing the Alpha Male his due respect.

In Greek, Alpha is the first letter of the alphabet, while Omega is the last letter. The order of these letters denotes their connotation and usage within the language of today. Alpha is first, Omega is last.

Isaiah 41:4 (NIV)
Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, with the first of them and with the last, I am he.”

Revelation 1:8 (NIV)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

In these verses, Jesus speaks saying He is the first and the last, beginning and end. But look at the meaning of “the first and the last” to mean not only time, but also social status. There is no doubt, when proclaiming Himself “the Almighty” Jesus shows alot of His power and glory. This is most definitely the alpha wolf’s territory. But how is Jesus both the Alpha wolf and the Omega wolf?

Matthew 18:1-4 (NIV)
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them.
3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

In this passage Jesus explains the people who are considered the greatest ‘the first’ in the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is saying that humility will be the measure of greatness in Heaven. This is the territory of the Omega wolf. But how is Jesus, as both the Alpha wolf and Omega wolf, playing the role of the humble when proclaiming His Almighty and unending power?

Isaiah 53:11 (NIV)
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by knowledge of him, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

We see the way Jesus has been the Omega wolf. He has suffered under worldly authorities, under the Roman centurions, and felt His body broken down and scourged by the executioners. This is the human side of Jesus. As a human, Jesus has been tortured and beaten. He has served others with compassion and love throughout his human life. Jesus’ human side is where the Omega wolf shows itself. Of course, there is also the God part of Jesus. This is personified in the Alpha wolf. Demanding servitude, worship, sacrifice, and love. The only one truly worthy of being the ‘first’.

Jesus personifies the paradox of the Alpha and Omega. He is both served and servant, exalted and humble, powerful and gentle, commanding and compassionate.

How can we imitate Jesus in this duel role? Can we expect to make ourselves like a god but also serve others? No, because that should not be our goal in this situation.

Mark 9:33-35 (NIV)
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”
34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

It should be our goal as Christians to play the part of the servant. Give praise and worship to God for being the Almighty, and do not place yourself above others. Be humble like a child and show compassion to all. Be happy to be called one wolf in the spiritual wolf pack led by Jesus, capable of being both Alpha and Omega, First and Last.

Buzz