"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13
This verse took on new meaning for me after attending a lecture given by Jim and Jamie Dutcher entitled "Living with Wolves". The Dutcher's spent six years living among a pack of wolves in Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness. Their observations and filming of the social hierarchy and behavior of the Sawtooth wolf pack resulted in award-winning documentaries for National Geographic and ABC's World of Discovery.
A wolf pack has an established social order. The highest-ranking member and leader of the pack is the alpha wolf, many times the oldest and most experienced wolf. Because of this position, the other wolves in the pack will exhibit deference and other signs of respect toward the alpha wolf. The male alpha wolf in the Sawtooth pack ate first and was the first, and sometimes the only wolf, allowed to reproduce. The alpha wolf maintains order and makes sure that the pack stays together. Alpha wolves also lead in protecting and providing for the other members of their group.
Omega wolves are the lowest-ranking wolves in the pack. Even their body language conveys this rank as they tuck their tails in, lower their heads, and assume positions of humility. They are often the scapegoats for the tensions of the pack and must always eat last. Omega wolves can be lonely and often will go off by themselves to a solitary place to escape the constant harassment.
In the Sawtooth wolf pack, the alpha and omega wolves were brothers. As the Dutcher's conducted their research, they realized that the omega wolf named Lakota was actually bigger and physically stronger than his alpha brother. Because he was not as aggressive, he had assumed the role of omega wolf.
When I learned about the alpha and omega wolf pack social order, I immediately thought of Jesus Christ, my Alpha and Omega. Jesus is my Alpha. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He deserves my complete devotion and respect. He is my Provider and Protector. He is entitled to and deserves my complete submission and surrender to His rule in my life.
Jesus is Alpha, and yet, He chose to become Omega. Omnipotent Christ took on this role for me as he assumed the role of a servant. He chose to be despised and rejected by men. He assumed a position of humility to wash His disciple's feet and thereby model for us Kingdom living. At times, His heart was lonely and He went off to solitary places to commune with His Father.
