As you read the below paragraphs, about the investiture of a knight and the expectations of him, see if
you can find any principles that would translate to your life as a Christian man in 2023. Make a note of
your recent observations of fear and anxiety associated with the post-pandemic culture, economic
uncertainty and civil unrest.
The medieval knight emerged as a defender of the Church and all its related territory. That defense was
the basis for the Crusades to the Holy Land to quell Muslim invaders. A candidate for knighthood was
required to prove that he could master himself before he could be trusted to master an enemy.
Moreover, the candidate was also obligated to prove himself to be under God’s authority, before he was
permitted to operate as a knight under the king’s authority. As a knight, he no longer represented
himself. Rather he represented his God and his king, in all of his actions, as well as in all of his inactions.
Wouldn’t that make for a “jam-up” men’s ministry group?
The investiture of knighthood perfectly combined a candidate’s holy passion and personal devotion to
God with his formidable physical might and martial skills. This transformational discipleship process had
been carefully crafted and perfected. Once a young squire became a knight, he fully accepted the
requirements of his calling. Above all else he was required to maintain a pure heart and to live a holy life
in the service of his God and his king.
In a final ceremony, a broad sword that had been specially crafted for his use would be laid before the
squire. A priest would invite other knights to join their hands to the “virgin” sword and pronounce a
blessing much like this. “Bless this sword so that it may be a defense for Your Churches, for widows and
orphans, and for Christians everywhere against the fury of the heathen.” Then, as the squire knelt, he
was struck firmly on both shoulders with the flat side of the sword, not lightly “dubbed” that might be
done today, to remind him of the weight of the authority of the sword that he was now under.
“Quell” is a word that is not in common usage today because of its historical context in warfare.
However, quell can also mean “to quiet or allay emotions or anxiety”. As we move into 2023, there is a
greater and greater need for modern day knights of The King to stand up, face and, “quell the fury of the
threats”, that many families, and particulary children are facing. As we prepare for unknown conditions in
2023, what if tens of thousands of Christian men began to do just that, to quiet or allay emotions or
anxiety in their conversations, on social media, and in their personal and group prayer times?
The merging of a warrior with a weapon is not for certificates and ceremony but rather for warfare…to
make contact with and engage an enemy…to demolish his ability to threaten what is held dear. “The
weapons we fight with”, from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, did not say the weapons we read about…the
weapons we talked about, but “the weapons we fight with”.
That weapon is The Word of God which is “alive and sharper than any double-edged sword”. When
wielded by a skillful warrior it can “penetrate even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. Surely it could quell the emotions and anxiety of
“the unknown future and economic uncertainty”…if engaged. Why not develop more specific strategies to
employ this tactic on a broad scale in your realm of responsibility?
Barney Barnes, 01-10-23, Warrior Spirit Ministries, LLC