CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

Pentecost XXIV

November 20, 2022

“A New and Improved King”     

Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,     

and holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace;     f

or not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,    

but deeds of love and mercy, the heav’nly kingdom comes.

Verse 2, “Lead On, O King Eternal!, ELW 805Ernest W. Shurtleff, Henry T. Smart      

A Sunday that is focused on Christ as a King may feel out of step for 21st-century Americans, considering that we generally view kings as irrelevant figureheads rather than heads of government.  After all, our ancestors fought and died to ensure that there would be no royal hierarchy on this side of the Atlantic.  Our constitution ensures that no one becomes a ruler because of the family into which they are born, and it’s worked for well over 200 years.     

So how do we appreciate and have an understanding of the many references to Christ as our king, and the ruler of a heavenly kingdom that we find in our Bible?  Prophets, poets, and the many writers of both Old and New Testaments wrote in the language they and their readers spoke.  If they were referring to someone with great authority, that meant a king.      

The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry teach us of Jesus as a servant king.  He sought out the poorest and lowest of society, serving and caring for them — hardly the behavior of the powerful, arrogant figure we picture when we think of a king.  Our Lord and his disciples walked the rough, dusty roads of Galilee, going to little villages, teaching, preaching, and healing all who needed help and hope.  These actions and lifestyle are hardly that of a royal personage, but that of one whose life is dedicated to sharing God’s love for humanity and serving all people in God’s name.     

Kingship, royalty, privilege, and power are all turned upside down and sideways in the person of Jesus.  He is the servant, the sacrifice, the one who gives his all, even his life, for others, as he faithfully does the will of his Father.  And he is the one who is raised from the dead, the living embodiment of the creative power of God.  The names and achievements of earthly kings fade, and their names may be on buildings or monuments, but their influence has been relegated to a few paragraphs in the history books.  But when we hear the name of Jesus, we know that his teachings and his example of loving service continues to strengthen Christians to follow this king.   

The message of the great hymn, “Lead on, O King Eternal” may sound like a call to battle, and throughout history, the conflict with sin and evil has been ongoing.  But read and listen to these words — they’re actually a statement of faith.  “Your grace has made us strong,” and “we follow not with fears” speak of our confidence and trust that through Christ, we will do that to which we are called — the “deeds of love and mercy.” 

Praising the King for his love and forgiveness,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers