2.22.15
The Book of John (The Eagle)
When God speaks, to paraphrase the old E. F. Hutton commercial, people should listen. In Genesis 19:4, God shares with the newly freed people of Israel that they should realize what he has done by bringing them out of Egypt: "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." God is a god of salvation. He could have chosen any number of animals or inanimate objects such as a boat or chariot to give as an illustration of his carrying them to freedom. He chose an Eagle. God is a god of consistency. I believe that he selected this animal with the foreknowledge of the appearance of Christ in his Tetramorph form as seen by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1 and by John in Revelation 4.
Jesus explained that he was the very essence of the Eagle in his description of himself as the means by which we would have access to Heaven. Jesus gives this explanation to Nathaniel in John chapter 1 when calling his first disciples. Philip had already agreed to follow Jesus and he ran to invite Nathaniel who was resting under a tree. When Jesus describes seeing Nathaniel under the tree as Philip ran up to him (who wasn't in the vicinity of Jesus at the time), Nathaniel is astounded and declares Jesus as the true Son of God! Jesus tells him that he should not be too amazed by this and "then adds" the bible tells us... "then adds" that Nathaniel will see angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man [that is, Jesus himself].
What an odd statement from our Lord. Why would the sight of angels climbing on him be the deal maker in calling Nathaniel to follow him as a disciple? Sure, angels walking up and down a person visibly would be intriguing, but also a little creepy if we are honest. I believe that Jesus is referencing a story told by Jacob in the Old Testament of a dream he had in which he saw a great staircase from the earth to Heaven (Genesis 28:12). Angels were traveling on this staircase up from earth and down from Heaven. And at the top was the LORD God. So Jesus is a staircase? Metaphorically, yes. He is the means by which access is granted from earth to God in Heaven.
Jesus told this to his disciples later in his ministry which is recorded in the Book of John, chapter 14: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the way. No one can get to God the father except through Jesus. He is affirming his role as Eagle - means of salvation. Miraculous supernatural means of salvation in the form of Jesus the Christ! You may see Jesus as a Lion King proud and ready to lead. You may see Jesus as a servant Ox, healing and giving hope to hopeless that there is an end to their suffering. You may see Jesus as the Man, humble and willing to stoop low enough to die in our place on the cross. But there are other men willing to die to temporarily save us. And there are men who are willing to spend a lifetime in service to others, denying themselves and their wants. And certainly we have seen those who would be king or ruler who imposes their will on the masses to his benefit and the detriment of his people. But if the statement of Jesus being the ONLY way to God is true, then belief in and allegiance to any other means of salvation is a waste of time.
When we put the four elements of the Tetramoprh Christ together we find a clearer picture of a Jesus who is as bold as a Lion, Strong and serving as an Ox, Humble and understanding as Man, and most of all a God who is the one true path to eternal glory! Four images. One God. This is the awesome experience of Jesus and the Gospel (Good News) of his love and salvation!
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