parresia

From Beowolf to the GospelI

From Beowolf to the Gospel

I had the pleasure of going through the Beowolf book on tape a few days ago. Though there were many notable passages, words of interest, and textual importance I found myself struck most by a very simple and short couple lines that to my mind demonstrate the awesome sacrifice and blessing of Christ's death.

Just prior to these lines Beowolf had died in valiant battle, saving his people, for whom he had been king over 50 years, from a vengeful dragon whom he barely managed to destroy-- he fought alone, so his death could be seen as a sacrifice. Beowolf's brave companion says the following after he has discovered a vast treasure that was prior guarded by the dragon:

This hoard is ours
but grievously gotten; too grim the fate
which thither carried our king and lord.

I could not help but think of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins: glorious life ever after is the "hord" we can call our own. Yet, that hord was secured on our behalf only by the grievous death of our Savior: indeed, our life everafter was "grievously gotten."

Too grim indeed-- the fate of Christ on our behalf, because of our sin.

Posted by jeremy stock at November 19, 2001 04:35 PM