We know the phrase” throw down the gauntlet” to mean that one is issuing a challenge.

In its early use it was not meant as a metaphor, but as a physical action intended to issue a formal challenge to a duel.

When chivalry and honor were paramount, this act was considered an insult that could only be answered with personal combat.

We see it today in hockey when one player throws down his gloves and fisticuffs ensue for a few minutes.

In the past it could mean death….

as it did for a great American in July, 1804, when the sitting Vice President, Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton.

There is a scene in the second “HOBBIT” movie where the wizard, Gandalf, enters a large cavern.

He said a few short sentences and then took his staff, held it firm and thrust it down striking the floor with great force.

The cinematographer created a wave of light and force from the staff striking the ground, outward throughout the cavern.

Gandalf was calling out “evil” and “darkness”.

He then confronted those enemies, was temporarily restricted by them… but eventually triumphed.

The same action occurred in the trilogy of The “Fellowship of The Ring” movies

when Gandalf said, emphatically, to a behemoth… “you shall not pass”.

This happened again when Gandalf called out another wizard and was detained.

 

In both instances, Gandalf was temporarily bound, restricted or detained.

In the end, though, Gandalf triumphed.

 

Not making any level comparison here, but ….
that’s what JESUS did when He began His Work.

 

When JESUS walked out of His home in Nazareth, went to John, His cousin, was baptized and began His Work… the Gauntlet was thrown down.

 

Evil, Darkness, the devil and every minion that fell with him, was put on notice, called out and confronted.

The Force of Light and Hope which sprang out of that beginning moment led,eventually, to the Redemption and Salvation of us all.

Gandalf gave the Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves, courage and hope. He was with them and led them.

He did not create them, he could not live on in them.

 

JESUS not only created us, He came for us, fought and won The Great War for us…and today reigns for us as we have His Allowed Presence in us.

When the stone was rolled away and He exited his short term grave….

That Force which went out into the world when John baptized Him… came to full fruition and the darkness, evil and death were defeated for good.

 

It is now up to us,
with Him in us,
to exercise the Power given us,
to reap the Victory won for us.

We are more than actors in a movie.

Our role is real.

Our rewards are eternal.

 

 

Terry
March, 2016

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terrybethea.com