FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
What is the significance or meaning of Jesus' kingship for
us? Kingship today seems antiquated, especially in democratic societies where
everyone is treated equal and free. God at first did not want to give his
people Israel a king. Why? Because God alone was their King and they needed no
other. Nonetheless, God relented and promised his people that through David's
line he would establish a kingship that would last for eternity (Psalm 89:29).
The Jews understood that the Messiah would come as king to establish God's
reign for them. They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and from
foreign domination. Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messiah king.
Little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus
came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than to
conquer perishable lands and entitlements. When Satan tempted Jesus during his
forty day fast in the wilderness, he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the
world (Matthew 4:8-9) Jesus knew that the world was in Satan's power. And this
was precisely why Jesus came – to overthrow Satan's power and rulership over
the earth. Jesus knew that the way to victory was through submission to his Father's
will and through the sacrificial offering of his life upon the cross for the
sins of the world. As Jesus was dying on the cross, he was mocked for his claim
to kingship. Nonetheless, he died not only as King of the Jews, but as King of
the nations as well. His victory over the power of sin, Satan, and the world,
was accomplished through his death on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus
exchanged a throne of glory for a cross of shame to restore us from slavery to
sin to glory with God as his adopted sons and daughters. In the Book of
Revelations Jesus is called King of kings and Lord and lords
(Revelations 19:16). Do you recognize Jesus Christ as your King and Lord?
The scriptures present us with the choice between two
kingdoms – the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The choice is ours
to make voluntarily. Which kingdom do you serve - the world that passes away or
God's kingdom which endures for all time? God's kingdom remains forever because
it is built on the foundation of God's eternal love and justice. To accept
Jesus as Lord and King is to become a citizen of an everlasting kingdom which
is governed by righteousness, peace, truth, and love.
Many thanks to those who helped and supported my roast beef
dinner. I will write about it next week.
Fr. Phil
