When the movie Braveheart was initially released I watched it as a period piece of film which took incredible historical liberties with the person of William Wallace. I knew much, if not all, of it was fiction, but I loved the action sequences and battle scenes. After years of watching it however, I have come to appreciate one of the sub-plots in even greater measure. It has to do with the political climate surrounding Scotland and its de facto rulers, the “Nobles”. The Nobles are a study in political survival, self-interest, and expediency. They are actually a great illustration to the nature of long term political leadership.
I must now offer a caveat…
There are good people serving in civic government.
I will also say there is a “spectrum” of courage, selflessness, and pragmatism which makes it difficult to paint politics with a broad brush. We tend to believe politicians we don’t know are the corrupt ones and the ones we do know are the exceptions. I may have to plead guilty on that indictment. I believe I do know a few shining stars. People serving God in government with exceptional character. That said, I also know those who are simply “characters”.
In the movie, the Nobles of Scotland are infighting over which clan holds rights to the throne. It is a 13th century, Middle Ages primary. They all have mutual interests about the fate of the nation because it sustains their power and wealth. But they cannot eclipse those self-interests when it comes to the needs and wants of everyday people. Add on top of this the interests of “Longshanks”, the King of England, who either ruthlessly kills any dissent or pays these Nobles off in lands and titles, makes their interests even more acute. The path forward for Scotland is bleak and the common people take the brunt of the paralysis, dysfunction, and evil.
Enter William Wallace.
He eclipses any self-interest and passionately preaches a vision for Scotland’s freedom. As the movie will portray, Wallace will lay his life down for the cause of Scotland’s (commoners) freedom.
The Nobles don’t know what to do with Wallace. The movement he has created has put them between the proverbial “rock and hard place”. Wallace jeopardizes their interests. Freedom jeopardizes their interests. They vacillate between thoughts of embracing Wallace and killing him. They have to navigate this adeptly. Wallace has the hearts of the people, which is critical for everyone, but he challenges the Nobles self-interest. The movie is a simple script if all you see is the fight of Good v. Evil between Longshanks and Wallace. It becomes far more fascinating when you see the script outlining the fight of Principle v. Pragmatism between Wallace and the Nobles.
The heart wrenching part of this relationship between Wallace and the Nobles is that Wallace is the eternal optimist. Despite having been betrayed by the Nobles and barely escaping, he chooses to again trust them. That trust will cost Wallace his life. And while his death foments the eventual liberation of Scotland, the lesson remains; you need to understand the nature of Nobles. The most insightful interaction to this nature is found in the dialogue between Robert the Bruce and his father…
- Robert the Bruce: A rebellion has begun.
- Robert’s Father: [pause] Under whom?
- Robert the Bruce: A commoner… named William Wallace.
- Robert’s Father: [another pause] You will embrace this rebellion. Support it from our lands in the north. I will gain English favor by condemning it and ordering opposed from our lands in the south. Sit down. Stay awhile.
- Robert the Bruce: This Wallace… he doesn’t even have a knighthood. But he *fights*, with *passion*, and he *inspires*.
- Robert’s Father: [laughing] And you wish to charge off and fight as he did, eh?
- [Robert nods slightly]
- Robert’s Father: So would I, eh?
- [he laughs again]
- Robert the Bruce: Well, maybe it’s time.
- Robert’s Father: [the elder man stops laughing] It is time… to *survive*. You’re the seventeenth Robert Bruce. The sixteen before you passed you land and title because they *didn’t* charge in. Call a meeting of the nobles.
- Robert the Bruce: But, they do nothing but talk.
- Robert’s Father: Rightly so. They’re as rich in English titles and lands as they are in Scottish, just as we are. You admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage; so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to *compromise* that makes a man noble. And understand this: Edward Longshanks is the most ruthless king ever to sit on the throne of England. And none of us, and nothing of Scotland will remain, unless *we* are as ruthless. Give ear to our nobles. Knowing their minds is the key to the throne.
This is what people need to understand about 21st century politics…
It is not about personal courage, it’s mostly about personal survival.
It’s not about freedom, it’s about control.
It’s not about the citizen’s well-being, it’s about the ruler’s self-interest.
It’s not about principle, it’s about compromise.
It’s not about action, it’s mostly about talking.
It’s not about consistency, it’s about triangulation.
Some public servants are able to eclipse this…
I cheer for you and applaud your stalwart spirit…
Many are unable.
And when someone enters the arena, like Wallace, and says, “I don’t have to survive”.
Nobles don’t understand it.
As Robert the Bruce would later remark to Wallace, “It looks like rage!”
The same is said today when the prophets speak…
Politicians don’t get it.
They say things like, “You are a neophyte, naive, idealistic, angry, out of control, out of touch, lacking grace, uncivil, and the like.”
When in actuality the prophets are the only ones tied into spiritual reality.
Braveheart teaches us a lot metaphorically speaking.
This is why when you get to CHOOSE your rulers, you should do so carefully and biblically.
Jesus said you would know a tree by its fruit. You will know candidates that way as well.
Does the tree bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11)? Fruits of the Spirit or the Flesh? (Galatians 5) The Fruit of a life well-lived before the Lord? Do they attend a local church faithfully? Who is their pastor and can they identify him? Can they govern their own life before you empower them to govern yours? Do they have a track record of keeping promises (like to their spouse)? When promises and covenants are flippantly broken to spouses, a sacred trust, why are we surprised when promises are broken to a constituency? This is called…Fruit.
This is why Exodus 18:21 is vital. There must a trail of evidence in their life that they do not act like “Nobles”.
But alas…
So many struggle with applying an immovable standard.
So, I will keep watching Braveheart and reminding myself that history is actually a video loop. Solomon was right when he said, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
But who knows…
Perhaps a genuine revival might change this.
And instead of shouting, “Alba gu bràth” (Scotland forever), we will shout, “Crìosd an Rìgh” (Hail Christ the King).
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