Sunday the 24th of November 2024 - Christ the King

Daniel 7:13-14/ Psalm 92(93)/ Apocalypse 1:5-8/ John 18:33-37

Who or what do we worship? Do we show our allegiances to earthly powers? Do we honour public figures, media or music stars, great sportspeople? Do we worship money and possessions? These are all things that can distract us from recognising Jesus as the true Lord and God of all things, King of the Universe.

Jesus referred to himself as ‘Son of man’ an allusion to the ‘one like a son of man’ in the first reading who came into the presence of the Godlike figure and on whom all sovereignty, glory and kingship was conferred for ever. This prophesy is brought to life in the gospel passage with Jesus in front of Pilate who questioned him about his claimed kingship. Pilate, a provincial roman governor questioned the ruler of all things, the one who is, who was, and is to come. The imbalance of power between them is staggering. The wretched Jesus, dragged before the seemingly powerful Pilate, did not deny his sovereignty but indicated that his kingship could not begin to be defined in the terms of those understood by Pilate. Pilate recognised something in Jesus that he was not sure about, something that unnerved him. It might be that Pilate could see a hint of greatness, of kingship, through the poor rejected figure brought before him.

The encounter between Pilate and Jesus is fascinating as one understanding of kingship and authority is totally opposed to the other. One is based upon oppression and fear, the other by freedom and love. One is limited by area and time the other has no limits in scope or age. Pilate thought that he had power over Jesus when in fact he was in the presence of and questioned the most powerful entity that had ever been, ever was, and ever would be. The kingship of Jesus was completely missed by Pilate because it was so different to his understanding of sovereignty.

Our own understanding of sovereignty, of kingship or queenship, is coloured by what we know from history. Our past is littered with kings, queens and people in authority. Some good but many despotic tyrants. We might struggle with giving the title of King to Jesus because it can conjure up many negative connotations associated with that designation.

Jesus, Christ the King, does have an influence over our life, a total influence, through the obedience of faith that we show to him. He shapes our thinking and guides our vision or should if we submit to him in faith. Our submission to Christ the King is not one of oppression or force but is because we want to come under this authority, the authority that has claimed us through his love. The love of God the Father and the love of us his created people. The royalty of Jesus was gained not through war, birthright, or election. Jesus paid for his sovereignty by giving his life for us. If the title King does not fit exactly with our understanding of what Jesus is to us it is hard to think of a title that fits better. The truth is that Jesus is a king who is totally ours. He was mocked by a small-time provincial leader, rejected by his own people, executed as a common criminal. The king who gave himself as the sacrificial lamb, slaughtered for our sins, but who has been raised to the highest position imaginable.

We pay homage to our God and King not through force or fear but because we feel the love he has for us. We knowledge the sacrifice Jesus made to free us from the oppression of sin and how he leads the way for us beyond earthly death into everlasting life in a kingdom that bears no description.

Although the kingship of Jesus is unfolded in the Gospels and especially in the encounter with Pilate it is a kingship that can be challenging to see. It is witnessed to through the wretched death on a cross rather than through political dominance. It is no less difficult for people today to see the kingship of Jesus. In the same way that the Jewish leaders of the day aligned themselves with the occupying leaders of Rome people today can place their allegiance in the many earthly powers. Powers that lead us to also deny the kingship of God in favour of those of earth. The great danger in today’s world is that we can be drawn away from the true kingship of God and not even be aware of it. Our faith will show us the way to turn towards Jesus, our Lord and God, and worship him as the True King of The Universe.

God Bless Brendan