Children love to play characters.
From a little girl who dresses up as a princess in her bedroom to a group of kids who each assume different identities during a game, there is part of the human heart that feels connected to another figure. Whether real or imaginary, we connect to the stories we know of other people.
Recently, I was drawn to Brandon Lake’s song, “King of Hearts,” as he explored the perspective of the famous thief on the cross next to Jesus. My oldest son and I were listening to the song while driving, talking about how it paralleled one of his favorite songs, Josiah Queen’s “I am Barabbas.”
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In an interview with GrammyAwards.com, Lake described the heart behind this title track of his new album. “That's what I want to remind people of with this record. No matter what you've done or how far you've gone, or how much you've turned away from Him, He still wants a relationship with you … He gave up his life so that He could have a relationship with you.”
Luke 23:39-43 records the profound interaction between Jesus and the two men he was crucified between. “One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!’ But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
Lake's song imagines what the internal dialogue of the other criminal might have been, as he rebuked the first criminal and sought the mercy of Jesus. Like a child trying on the identity of their favorite character, Lake steps into the sandals of that criminal, and he invites us to do the same. He wonders what any of us would have said in a moment like that.
Long before this song was written and released, the title has been a part of Lake’s life. “I actually got that tattooed on my finger about two years ago — a little k and a heart — just to remind me that whether I'm on the stage or I'm at somebody's house, or wherever I am, that it's always about people. I'm not trying to do this to be famous. I genuinely want to be a leader and a shepherd of people's hearts, and that's who Jesus was.”
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Lake’s description of Jesus as a shepherd is described clearly in John 10. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” This shepherd who knows and sacrifices for His sheep is the same King who extended mercy to a criminal who recognized his need for grace.
“King of Hearts” helps the listener to face two seemingly incompatible truths. First, Lake describes the brokenness and imperfection of the criminal of the cross, along with the criminal’s own awareness of his failures. Second, Lake also describes the power, sacrifice, and significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. When brought together, these two seemingly incompatible truths summarize the incredible beauty of the Gospel.
Near the end of “King of Hearts,” Lake offers a powerful reminder about the invitation Jesus offered the criminal on the cross - the same invitation He offers us today.
“Those scars made a way to enter Your kingdom
On golden streets, redeemed and free
A beloved thief right beside His King”
The last place the “beloved thief” expected to be was right beside His King. Yet, when we experience the mercy and grace of the “King of Hearts,” we are invited into a place beyond our dreams and expectations. I know I long to experience God’s presence and power - to stand beside my King in a place I never deserved to be.
Just as my kids play as their favorite character, today I’m tapping into the wonder of the thief on the cross and worshiping my “King of Hearts.” If you haven’t heard this beautiful song from Brandon Lake, you’re missing out and I hope you’ll listen soon!
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s life-changing project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
