The Lone Ranger

Those of you who are, “old,” like me may remember the ‘Lone Ranger’ phenomenon. I say phenomenon because it was more than a show. Some nuances had applicable life principles that I reflect on now and realize there was some subtle Kingdom thinking that was being seeded into my heart.

If you do not know the show, let me give you a quick outline. Atypical to the days gone by of morality being a major and necessary part of our culture, this show was exemplary of the simple eternal conflict of right and wrong, good and evil. The Lone Ranger was a cowboy. Cowboy characters generally connoted strong virtues, rugged masculinity, and moral superiority to the ‘city folk’ who were under the pressures of societal temptations. They tended to be outsiders who were committed, to the death, for uncomfortable independence because liberty was a philosophy they lived, and not just a concept like today to be bloviated about. They were exceptionally disciplined and able to handle a six-shooter with precision (practice), ride a horse with excellence (practice), and develop the skills and wits to live off the unforgiving terrain (practice). They were commonly portrayed as being a step ahead in their thinking compared to the bad guy, the city slicker, or even the corrupt lawman. They were always the gentleman with the ladies and the nemesis to the lawless scoundrel.

Our Lone Ranger was the epitome of these attributes and much more. He was the textbook example of someone who was always operating from a righteous conviction, no matter what the cost was. He was the Hero that did the hard thing in every episode. Many do not know that the series was based on a true story and real events, making it even more impactful and achievable.

Considered the “real Lone Ranger” by many, Bass Reeves was an African American, deputy U.S. marshal who served in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) during the late 19th century. He was known for his courage, tracking skills, and ability to speak Native American languages. Some similarities between Reeves and the Lone Ranger include their impressive law enforcement careers, use of disguise (Reeves often wore a mask to protect his identity), and their partnership with a Native American companion.

The storyline of the show starts in 1933, at a San Francisco World’s Fair, where a young boy named Will encounters an elderly Comanche warrior named Tonto in a sideshow. Tonto begins recounting the untold tale of John Reid, a former lawman known as the Lone Ranger. In 1869, John Reid, a lawyer and newly appointed Texas Ranger, is ambushed by the notorious outlaw Butch Cavendish and his gang. After witnessing his brother’s death, John vows vengeance and dons a black mask to become the Lone Ranger. He joins forces with Tonto, a skilled tracker and warrior, to bring Cavendish and his men to justice.

Together, they face numerous challenges as they fight for justice in the lawless American West against evil men and dark forces. They battle outlaws, protect the innocent, and uncover the secrets behind Cavendish’s ruthless schemes. Throughout their journey, John and Tonto forge a strong bond of friendship and become legends (Heroes) of the Old West. The Lone Ranger is a story of justice, friendship, and righteousness. It explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the eternal battle against injustice.

TV used to be better.

The first principle of a Hero is justice and Righteousness.

The Lone Ranger fights voraciously for justice and righteousness, upholding the law and protecting the innocent. This aligns with the Kingdom values of justice and compassion, found in passages like Micah 6:8 BSB: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Also Proverbs 21:3 BSB “To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.”

Please note the connection of justice to mercy. Kingdom justice always makes room for mercy. This means forgiveness is a driving force in obtaining genuine justice. Additionally, in biblical reality, you cannot pursue real justice without the energy of God’s type of love.

Another famous hero, Superman, used to (before the modern world turned him into a woke puppet for their dark agenda) fight for “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” I used that term in our last series: “The Hero Within” and modified it to, “Truth, Justice, and the Kingdom Way.”

The second pronounced principle of a Hero embodied by The Lone Ranger is Self-sacrifice and service.

The Lone Ranger dedicates himself to serving others and fighting for what is right, even at great personal danger and risk. This reflects the Kingdom principle of self-sacrifice and service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the authentic way His sincere disciples embody these virtues. This principle is stated in Luke 9:23-24 BSB: “Then Jesus said to all of them, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.’”

Honestly, Tonto was my favorite.

I used to practice walking like an Indian for hours upon hours. One foot directly in front of the other with a toe to heel placement. I made dozens of makeshift bows and tree limb arrows that I would practice with until I broke them. Being off in the timber with a pocket knife was a good way to pass a summer day.

Tonto was the one who saved the day in most episodes. Right when The Lone Ranger was about to be unsuspectingly shot in the back, Tonto would bust into the scene and punch the evil out of the bad guy without breaking a sweat and in flawless confidence. Tonto could track a cattle rustler across desert terrain just by the feel of the wind because he had trained his senses so efficiently.

Hebrews 5:14 BSB “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.”

He was a man of small words but big action. He was fearless and stoic in every terrible situation. And above all, he was faithfully committed to The Lone Ranger. We call that covenant. That was my favorite part about Tonto, he was a covenant man congruent with the culture of the Native Indians.

When I was about eight years old, we lived in a low-income neighborhood (a project) and my ‘best friend’ was an above-average-sized black kid named Titus. I was a short, ‘husky’ (FAT! We call fat fat and sin sin…) white kid with a mouth that tended to get me into situations that Titus was indispensable for. I am sure you are shocked to hear that… Titus and I were always together acting out a Lone Ranger episode where I got to be Tonto or a war scene from some black-and-white movie where we were the only two soldiers left and had to take the bunker from the Nazis who had captured our buddies. Our friendship was short in length but long in commitment.

Titus and I became blood brothers after watching a show of a cowboy and an Indian forging a deep friendship through the hardships of life and war in a culture where cowboys and Indians were supposed to hate each other. We both cut our hands and placed them together thinking we were going to be brothers, by blood, forever. My family moved away, abruptly, a couple of months later. Just like that, the covenant ended. I have never seen or heard from Titus again.

Even The Lone Ranger could not survive without Tonto.

The third principle of a true Hero in the Kingdom is Covenant and Community.

While the Lone Ranger often appears solitary, he forms a strong and enduring friendship, a covenant you could say, with Tonto. This emphasizes the importance of community and connection, reflecting the Kingdom principle of love and fellowship among believers. At Beloved Church, we have a word that hyperlinks this Biblical idea when we say, “Koinonia.” This principle is found in John 13:34-35 BSB: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

The one discernable sign to the whole world that someone has committed themselves to Christian discipleship is their love for one another. Wow.

In modern progressive America, people brag about not connecting with a church family. It has become the, ‘popular,’ thing to blush in self-righteousness because you can listen to Christian music on your glowing screen while you are at work or you are kinda committed to an ‘online church’ service by Pastor What’s-His-Name. Imagine discussing with someone in the upper room of Acts two, or one of the Seven Churches of Revelation that we have advanced beyond human intimacy in our better, more convenient version of spirituality. We have dreadfully missed the importance and value of community and Koinonia.

Koinonia is a Greek word that appears twenty times in the New Testament. Its primary meaning is, “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” My definition is, “social intimacy.” Community is, ‘common unity,’ and communion is, ‘common union.’ When we take communion together, we are expressing a covenantal commitment to Christ, but also to one another. Koinonia expresses the deep connection and belonging between believers (disciples) in Christ. Here are some key points to understand:

1. First Appearance:

The first occurrence of koinonia is in Acts 2:42-44 BSB: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and to prayer. A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

This verse describes the early Christian community’s commitment to, “doing life together,” studying scripture (discipleship), celebrating communion, and communing with God in prayer (intimacy). And they were TOGETHER. There were no Lone Rangers in the early church… Heroes breed heroes.

2. Different Meanings:

While, “fellowship,” is the most common translation, koinonia can also imply:

Sharing: This includes sharing material possessions, resources, and spiritual gifts. (Romans 15:27)

Participation: This refers to actively engaging in the life and mission of the Christian community. (Philippians 1:5)

Unity: This emphasizes the bond of faith, love, and oneness that binds believers together. (John 17:21)

Communion: This signifies the intimate relationship with God and one another. (1 Corinthians 10:16)

3. Importance of Koinonia:

The New Testament emphasizes the importance of koinonia for several reasons:

Spiritual growth: It fosters maturation through mutual encouragement, accountability, correction, and support. (Hebrews 10:25)

Living out Christ’s commandment exemplifies Jesus’ call for his followers to reproduce naturally. The Great Commission is for disciples to make disciples. (Matthew 28)

Reflecting God’s character: It reveals the unity and love that exist within the Godhead. Even our Hero Jesus was committed and submitted to the authority of the Father, through love, in His Divine Destiny. (Philippians 2:5-9)

4. Examples of Koinonia in Scripture:

The early church in Jerusalem submitted their possessions and cared for those in need. (Acts 2:44-45)

Paul and Barnabas partner in ministry and share the gospel with different communities. (Acts 13)

The Philippian church supported Paul financially and emotionally during his unjust imprisonment. I know… money… who knew that authentic Kingdom living would even affect our money? (Philippians 4:14-16)

What I longed for through cutting my hand with Titus, while watching the Lone Ranger, and while pioneering Beloved Church was an authentic Kingdom community that was raising the kind of people (Heroes) that Jesus shed His precious blood to redeem. The people who had covenant friends like Tonto, who fought for Justice like the Lone Ranger, and who lived selflessly like Christ the Hero were the peeps Kay and I wanted in our lives and destinies.

At the end of every successful conquest of The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s adventures over evil, you would hear the cowboy cry of, “Hi Ho, Silver, Away!” Is it too corny for me to feel the need to shout out a cry for the people of God to mount their steeds and head into The Great Awakening?

I will just echo Paul in the closing of 1 Corinthians 16:22-24 NASB (parenthesis mine):

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed (Anathema). Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Amen = So Be It,

Steve