Christ the King
http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/151
The say that Elvis was the King. It was before my time (honest!), but he brought Rock and Roll to the masses. He was, and still is, the one to be emulated. He attracted a huge following. People want to be him and still flock to the places he lived.
This Sunday marks Christ the King. Before we come next week to Advent, we remember who exactly it is that is being born in the humility of the stable.
One of my most meaningful pictures of God is of being cupped in his hands. Shielded from the world. Held safely and securely.
We have become very familiar with God. “What a friend we have in Jesus”. He is approachable and wants to share with us. But if that is all we focus on, we miss so much of him.
There is another side to God, that we can sometimes neglect. For as much as God is our friend, he is also our King. Ruler over the world, creator of all that is. Deserving of our awe and wonder; our worship and adoration; in whose awesome presence we kneel.
When Jesus appears before Pilate, just before his death, the question is, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus never quite answers the question, preferring as ever, that Pilate makes his own mind up about who and what Jesus is. But what he does make clear is that his Kingdom is not of this world. People had their ideas about what the Messiah should do. Jesus has come to bring the truth to the world.
This is who Jesus is. Our King. King of the World. The one who lives forever. He has authority and royal power, deserving of our honour. He has sacrificed himself, and freed us from our sins.
With the words of these readings we are transported to the throne room of God. What can we do but worship, adore, and serve? So, before the busyness of Christmas overtakes us, perhaps we can spend some time in the presence of our mighty God, King of the world, and worship him, and let him become King of our world – every day.
I’ve always thought that ‘Christ the King’,and a picture of what that kingdom will be, is best summed up in the words of this hymn by Charles Silvester Horne, so I’ll leave the final word to him:
- Sing we the King who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain;
Righteousness, peace then His empire shall bring,
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King.- Come let us sing: Praise to our King,
Jesus our King, Jesus our King:
This is our song, who to Jesus belong:
Glory to Jesus, to Jesus our King.
- Come let us sing: Praise to our King,
- All men shall dwell in His marvelous light,
Races long severed His love shall unite,
Justice and truth from His scepter shall spring,
Wrong shall be ended when Jesus is King. - All shall be well in His kingdom of peace,
Freedom shall flourish and wisdom increase,
Foe shall be friend when His triumph we sing,
Sword shall be sickle when Jesus is King. - Knowledge and fear of the Lord then shall be
As the deep waters that cover the sea;
All things shall be in the splendor of spring
And all harmonious when Jesus is King. - Kingdom of Christ, for thy coming we pray,
Hasten, O Father, the dawn of the day
When this new song Thy creation shall sing,
Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King.
Pam's Perambulation 