I am fascinated by the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the round table. I know they are legend and filled with fantasy, but one can identify with some interesting applications from the stories.

The knights that sat around this table were of great importance to King Arthur. They, according to the legends, discussed the kingdom of Camelot, the people, the way they could protect the people, and the quests they could pursue. They sat around a round table because King Arthur did not want any of his knights to think they were any more important than the others. They were all equal in their places in the kingdom.

I think we could learn a valuable lesson from King Arthur and his knights. No one in the kingdom of God is more important, more valuable, or deserves more honor than anyone else. Sadly, there are those that have a need to be recognized, hold a certain position, or be honored for an accomplishment in order to be happy.

In the book of Daniel, we read about the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. He was a great king, but he would not have been in possession of the people of God had not God allowed it. He built a great image of himself and ordered that everyone bow down to that image. We know that three of the Hebrews refused to bow down, and they ended up in the fiery furnace. God saved them, and Nebuchadnezzar made a decree that no one could speak against the God of the Hebrew people.

It sounds like Nebuchadnezzar had learned his lesson, but not so. In chapter 4, he walked through the kingdom and proclaimed that he, by his own power, had built this great nation. God humbled him by taking the kingdom from him, turning him into an animal, and making him eat grass. At the end of his life, he acknowledged the God of heaven; but as far as we know, he did not become an obedient servant.

In Mark 6, we read about King Herod Antipas, a man not unlike Nebuchadnezzar. He had married his brother Philip’s wife. Both had spouses, but they chose to end those marriages and enter into an adulterous relationship. John the Baptizer preached against this relationship; and Herodias, Herod’s wife, was not happy with what John was saying. To make Herodias happy, Herod had John put in prison. On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced for the king; and he promised her anything she wanted. Her mother told her to ask for John’s head. In verse 20, Herod identifies John as a man he feared, a just man and a holy man. Even though he knew John was right in what he preached, he took his life.

In Matthew 27, Governor Pilate sat before an angry mob and tried to talk them out of crucifying the Son of God. He knew they were envious of this man (verse 18), and he told the people he could find no fault in Him. Because he was afraid of the people, he declared himself innocent of Jesus’ blood and allowed him to be crucified.

Acts chapter 12 reveals the story of another Herod. James, the brother of John, had been put to death. He then apprehended Peter and threw him in prison to await the same fate, but God had other plans for Peter. He sent an angel to help him escape, and this angered Herod. He questioned the prison guards, and put them all to death. Next we see Herod arrayed in his royal robes standing before the people to give a great oration. We don’t know what he spoke about, but it must have been quite a speech. The Jews were so impressed they said, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man” (Acts 12:23 KJV). Herod’s arrogance made him stand and take the praise, Luke tells us that an angel of the Lord struck him “because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

The apostle Paul stood before Ananias, the high priest, who accused him before Felix, a ruler over Judea. He was tried before Festus, Felix’s successor, and before King Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great. When Paul appeared before Herod Agrippa, Paul related the story of his conversion. Festus, who was present at this trial, accused Paul of being mad (Acts 26:24). These rulers knew about Jesus. They knew what the prophets had said about Jesus. They knew, but they would not obey. Agrippa even told Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). It is sad that his pride and his position kept him from being saved.

Now imagine these men vying for a place at King Arthur’s round table—Nebuchadnezzar, Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa I, Pilate, Felix, Festus, and King Herod Agrippa II. Can’t you just imagine the arguments they would have as each tried to outdo the others? These rulers were filled with pride, and they were all about power and control. They wanted to be recognized, honored, and praised.

Jesus knew the value of being humble, not wanting to be first or the best. When His disciples wanted to have first place in His kingdom, Jesus told them to be first, one must be last.

It is in our nature to want to be first, the best, honored, respected, and acknowledged for what we do. The writer of Hebrews helps us understand how we can work on this. He tells us to look upward, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” He tells us to look inward, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Finally, he tells us to look outward, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:20-24 ESV).

Think of how much we can accomplish if we give God the credit.

Sandra Oliver