Robin Hood, a tale about the Law and Freedom

In times of tyranny and injustice, when law oppresses the people, the outlaw take his place in history....

Robin Hood is one of my all time favorite movies...and I am referring to the recent incarnation with Russell Crowe as the bow wielding Englishman who dares to stand up to the Crown and begins to learn his own true identity just as he is discovering his beliefs about freedom and liberty.   The story takes us to the incarnation of Robin Hood the myth, which,  historically speaking, is a very questionable character whose origins are, in reality, an amalgamation of many freedom loving rebels that existed during several hundred years of history. There is no real Robin Hood, but only some vague accounts of men who have taken on this role and given the moniker based upon a more fantastic persona than perhaps a real one.  We will likely never really know, except to acknowledge that this persona did exist....and his cry for freedom was felt enough to maintain the idea that Robin Hood represented the real needs of an oppressed people.   Real or not, the legend is the legend, and this one pays attention to the humble beginnings. 

What is so attractive to me as a christian, a believer in Christ...is that if anything is needed by us all, it is a Robin Hood who has the ability to take on the Law, overcome it and free the people who live under its oppression.   Like Christ, Robin Hood represents a Saviour from oppression....one who removes the demands of the Law that is killing the people of the land.   Unlike this Robin Hood, Jesus saves us from a JUST Law, but nevertheless, a Law that oppresses us in that we can never fulfill it on our own.  In fact, if the Law is not seen as oppressive and condemning, it will not be necessary for Robin Hood or Jesus to save the people...   that is why I love the opening line... when law oppresses the people...because that is what Robin is doing, and that is what Jesus has done.   In Robin Hood we see Jesus taking on the ultimate principalities of justice, absorbing the penalty of the Law...and freeing an oppressed and helpless people.   The Law is just, but the people are doomed.  Long Live Robin Hood.