What exactly is the Alpha?

Wolves are territorial creatures that roam in family groups called packs.  There is a specific pecking order in the pack.  The Alpha or Alpha pair are the leaders. More specifically, these would be the individuals that lead the pack, but not necessarily in the manner we think of as leadership.  The Alpha wolves do not give orders, they simply have the most freedom to do what they choose, without interference from the other pack members.  On the other hand, lower stationed pack members are influenced by the actions or intervention of the Alpha wolves or pair.

In a well established pack there will often be a Beta, one who is submissive to the Alpha only.

The Beta is followed by various subordinates who all, in turn, dominate the Omega, or lowest member of the pack.   The idea of a lone wolf comes from the occasional disenfranchisement  of an Omega wolf from the pack, and I will expand upon that a bit further along.  For now, I want to communicate to you a basic understanding of the pecking order of the pack to shed new light on the person of Jesus Christ when referred to as the Alpha and Omega.

The Alpha rank is earned and held by participation in ritual “fights” and posturing.  It is the wolf with superior confidence, the one that refuses to show any submissive behavior, that “wins”.  It is a psychological battle rather than a physical battle.  Only occasionally does the battle become physical.  Through a series of these confrontations, the pecking order of the pack is worked out, and as individuals become more or less confident some shifting of rank can be observed.

Now back to the Omega.  He serves the pack by doing menial tasks like minding the pups while the pack hunts.  He is the last to eat, and is often the receiver of the pent up aggression of other pack members.  He has very little freedom to do as he chooses, his station is to humbly submit to the will of the pack. Sometimes the Omega will even be driven out.  This is our lone wolf.  If he is lucky, the lone wolf will find a mate and start a new pack.  Thus, once the Omega, he has become an Alpha in a new circle of relationships that will develop as his pups are raised.

When we think of Christ as the Alpha and Omega, what first comes to mind is the beginning and the end.  From the perspective reflected in the wolf pack we can gain an even deeper understanding of what that means.

The prayerfully expectant attitude of Jesus when He walked this earth was a display of supreme confidence.  In a spiritual battle He knew He would always be victorious. He was the Alpha, and a multitude followed Him wherever He went, but at His last meal, He taught us the lesson of servant leadership.  He chose to spend His last hours of fellowship with His disciples humbly serving them.  Well recognized as the Alpha, He took on the role of the Omega, confounding the disciples by His actions.

After going into to the garden to pray, Jesus having fully submitted to the fathers will, emerges as the Omega to face what He must.  He was as the lone wolf, cast out by those who fancied themselves superior, and by their actions prophesy was fulfilled.  Just as the Omega wolf receives the pent up aggression of the pack, Jesus received the aggression of the mob that demanded He be crucified, and on Him the burden of sins of all mankind were laid.

Having been cast out and made to suffer, He then claimed His bride by paying for our freedom with His passion.  The church was firmly established, and a new community with a new understanding of freedom and grace emerged.

Blessings & Adventure,

Lynn “lynnibug” Rios

The life of Jesus on this earth portrays His journey from Alpha to Omega, then rising back to Alpha again making the circle of his life in the flesh complete.  He truly is in all ways the Alpha and Omega!

Please follow and like us: