“The King Who Sets us Free”

     Contemporary Americans aren’t especially fond of using terms of kingship and royalty in our references to Jesus.  We love the quiet, down to earth teacher who preached a gospel of love and kindness, who taught that when we care for those in need and show mercy and understanding to those considered to be the dregs of society, we are serving him.  We adore the pure, innocent, martyred Christ, who suffered and was degraded on the cross and who then conquered death itself and rose from the grave, overcoming all the powers of evil.

But a king?  All that pomp and circumstance, the lavish jewelry, clothing and lifestyle, all those people bowing and curtsying, running to fulfill his every desire?  How obnoxious.  We’re proud, free and independent American citizens!  So how do we reconcile or make sense of all the Biblical references to kings and kingdoms?

First of all, we have to consider the periods of history during which both the Old and New Testaments were written.  Depending on leadership, times of prosperity or want, and other regional circumstances, the individuals who could raise a large army, acquire land, and accumulate wealth became kings.  They wielded their power to suit their own purposes, which generally included expanding their sphere of influence.  In order to describe Christ as one above those in power, the writers spoke of the “king of kings” and one who reigned over all.

As we sing “Crown Him With Many Crowns” there emerges a picture of a king who doesn’t wear crowns made of gold and precious gems but is crowned with titles that describe him as the Lord of love, of life, and of peace, whose reign will never end.  This is the Jesus that we feel we know, relatable and accessible.  Our hearts long for that connection with this Lord, fully human and fully divine, whose earthly existence was one of service and who called all people to be in a loving relationship with him.

Jesus also preached a gospel of freedom, but not the kind of freedom that carries no responsibilities.  When he spoke of freedom, as in the Gospel of John, he told his followers: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  (8:32)  We are set free from the impossible task of living up to the law, and the truth of this freedom is that our Lord will lead us in following his example, caring for others, and witnessing to God’s free gift of forgiveness and salvation to all people.

I recently came across a quote that is appropriate for our upcoming observance of Thanksgiving, and that we could keep  in our hearts every day.  It’s from Peter Marshall, a prominent Presbyterian pastor, preacher, author, and chaplain of the U.S. Senate from 1947-49.

 “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”   As those who are free in Christ, we can be grateful to know what is right, and the opportunity to do it.

 

Thankful for freedoms and opportunities,

Mary Rogers