The Elephant Walk

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:1-10 ESV).

As one of the oldest standing traditions at A&M, Elephant Walk has a rich history that began with the class of 1926. After losing the first two games of their football season in 1922, the freshman class marched around Kyle Field together, led by a piccolo player and a brass horn to the tune of a mournful funeral march, trying to break the "curse" of the team. When the Class of 1926 became seniors three years later, they decided to take one final walk around the campus together, this time to remember their time spent in Aggieland and the friends and memories they had made. As they walked single file, each man with his hand on the shoulder of his friend before him, an observer noted that they "looked like elephants, about to die." The tradition of Elephant Walk was born. It is still held annually prior to the last regularly scheduled home football game. It became a celebration of a new beginning as “Former Students.” They now had the victory in sight. As we work our way into the last days of Lent, we can look toward the finish line which is beyond the Cross. If the Cross was a window into eternity, the scene we would see is that of our reading today. It is the beginning of the happy ending. It’s masterful storytelling on the part of the Apostle John who was given a glimpse into the very throne room of God. John weeps because it seems as though every hope of things ever being made right have been thoroughly dashed. At this climax of storytelling tension, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (the King of Kings, Jesus) arrives on the scene and reveals that it’s His sacrifice on the Cross that is the ultimate triumph. As you continue walking on the way to the Cross, look to it and then beyond it, beyond the darkness and pain of this present world and know that Christ has shown the way. We are not marching to an end, but a beginning!