Today is the final Sunday of the church Calendar – Christ the King Sunday! Today we can think about what kind of king Jesus is.
We can all think back to that wonderful coronation weekend earlier this year, the sun shone, pomp and ceremony came out in all its wonderful glory, and we celebrated as Prince Charles as we had known him, was crowned as our new King! There were jewels, golden carriages, velvet robes, crowns and more – are any of these things we would associate with King Jesus? Whilst Christ the King is a very different kind of king, on the reredos at St Johns, Jesus stands at the centre and in his hand is the sovereign orb – just like the orb held by Charles as he was made King. The Orb represents the sovereign’s power, the bands of jewels divide it up into three sections that represent the three continents known in medieval times; but is King Charles the king of the whole world? No, there are Kings and Queens in many countries, they only really rule in their own country – but Jesus’s orb is very relevant as he is King of the world, of the universe even, he really is King of the whole kingdom of God!
If Jesus Christ is our King – and as Christians he is our King how do we serve him? What does he expect of us?
In our bible reading Jesus says that when he was hungry they gave him food, thirsty they gave him a drink, a stranger and he was invited in, needed clothes and he was clothed, sick and he was looked after…
The people are surprised, they’ve never had a chance to take care of Jesus in this way, but of course Jesus then tells them that when we help anybody, we are doing it for Jesus. It is not for us to be judgmental, to decide who deserves something and who doesn’t – we simply welcome all with open arms, with a warm kettle and if necessary, the coat off our back.
Jesus’ story helps us to remember that we should do God’s work every day. Are we open to that? Do we respond to the stranger by inviting them in? We never quite know just where we might we meet Him, therefore, Christ the King Sunday celebrates the full authority of Christ as King and Lord of the universe. He’s everywhere!
At the time the people were expecting an earthly king to overthrow the Roman rule, but instead they got Jesus, a spiritual king whose kingdom is in heaven, one who is the higher authority of all of the kingdom.
Some of the major roles of a king are to protect the poor and protect the kingdom. Jesus did this and more. Jesus focused on the poor and marginalized during His earthly ministry and performed many miracles showing his power as king over everything.
As a Christian, we are called to recognize Jesus Christ as King of Kings, the Messiah, Emmanuel, Lord and Saviour, the living water and the Bread of Life, among other names. Jesus is the light of the world. If we follow the king of kings we will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. All of us here can open our hearts both to the marginalised and to God so that we can walk in that light and live with Jesus in our lives.
Today, as we celebrate this final Sunday in the Christian year, recognising Jesus Christ as King – will you invite Jesus to reign over you? His hands and feet are pierced, His brow is scarred but there is Glory in his face. He reigns!
Will you have Jesus Christ to be your King?
Service: Reverend Rebecca Yates – 26th November 2023
Referenced Scripture: Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95.1-7; Ephesians 1.15-end; Matthew 25.31-end