Surrounded by God

Christ the Kings – November 24, 2024

Daniel 7:9-19, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37

Today we celebrate “Christ the King,” even though that designation does seem to me to be out of place with what Jesus said about himself. Jesus always deflected the people’s view that saw and hoped that Jesus would raise up an army, throw the Romans out of the promised land, and become king. We saw that several weeks ago when James and John went to Jesus to ask that they be appointed his right and left-hand men, that is to sit as advisors to him when he became king. The problem that Jesus had with this is that he did not come to set up a kingdom or to become a king. He came to set the world free from its bondage to sin and death. Another kingdom in Israel would just be another iteration of the old ways where people are unequal and vulnerable to the whims of others. Even if Jesus were the head of a government set up in the old pattern, it would be flawed for it would still be of the world of sin and death. In fact, it was not Jesus who decided to celebrate Jesus as king. It was the church. I suppose to help people see and understand that Jesus is the head, the leader of the church. But, as all images of God, it is also wrong if you see Jesus’ leadership as that of a king who tells others what they are to do. Instead, Jesus leads the way and invites us to join him in his task of salvation.

This is different from what people are used to. We and the people around Jesus live in a world where giving your whole life for the life of others was and is a drastic change to what we have been taught by the world around us. The way in which our world is made and run can bring us to  misunderstand Jesus. Pilot certainly did. He saw Jesus as a threat to his own throne. Those who handed Jesus over to Pilot saw Jesus as a threat to their authority. Instead of listening to Jesus’ message they worked to preserve their position and power. They did not see the true path to God. The one that Jesus took. Instead of asserting his right and power he gave it up. As Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians he emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and gave himself up to death itself. That is the way and the truth and the life that Jesus calls us to.

Jesus did not guarantee that it would be easy. Nor did he promise riches and fame. Anyone who claims that of Jesus stands with Pilate and those who gave Jesus up to him. Instead of promising more of the same old world, Jesus promises a new world. A world in which we are surrounded by the  love of God in Christ Jesus. That is our strength. Washed in the waters of baptism and fed at this table we have been firmly attached to Jesus. He is our beginning and our end. He is the one who has made us whole. Now he calls you to pick up your cross and follow him. It is not a command as the world gives, it is an invitation to step into the kingdom of God. What else can we do? For Jesus is our example of the godly life. Just as he gave fully of himself – even to giving his life – we are called to give fully of ourselves to the task of caring for all of creation. Step into the kingdom, give yourself to God, and share God’s love.