Today is the festival of Christ the King, which is also the end of the church year. As church festivals go, Christ the King is quite new - 100 years this year for Roman Catholic churches – and adopted by Lutherans in the 1970s. It was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to the horrors and destruction of the first world war. Different political ideologies were on the rise around the world - secularism in the west, communism in Russia, fascism in Italy and Spain and the seeds of it in Germany. Christ the King Sunday offered a contrast. It was a reminder that for Christians, our true ruler is Jesus, and his kingdom is one of peace, righteousness, justice, and love.
Though the title of “king” or the idea of a “reign” is less and less familiar to us, we still experience the challenges and shortcomings of earthly leadership. Even in this modern era, we too can benefit from the reminder that the reign and leadership of Christ continues to be in stark contrast to worldly ways. Regardless of the geopolitical citizenship we hold, it is to Christ’s kingdom that we ultimately belong, and it is Christ’s kingdom - so different from the kingdoms of this world - for which we wait and long for.
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| Photo by Carlos N. Cuatzo Meza on Unsplash |
In today’s Gospel reading, we drop in on the passion narrative from Luke. Jesus has been arrested, tried by the Council of chief priests and scribes, as well as Pilate and Herod, and sentenced to death. The values of Caesar’s reign are clear in this text as we see how the regional leadership aspires to them, too.
"Real" kings like Caesar rule with domination and might and cruelty. They make sure everyone knows who’s boss, and that all people live in fear of what might happen if they go astray. “Real” kings mock the weak, value blind loyalty, and act selfishly, guided by the goal of holding and displaying as much power and wealth as possible.
Earlier in Luke chapter 23, we hear the accusations against Jesus - “We found this man inciting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Whoever wordsmithed these charges did so for maximum effect - here is a man who threatens the order of things, whose proclamation is cutting into your revenue, who challenges the authority of the true political leaders, and he must be stopped. Pilate then asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” to which Jesus responds only, “You say so.”
Later, Herod and the soldiers mock this idea of kingship. They put an elegant robe around Jesus’ beaten and wounded body. They hang an inscription above him on the cross - “This is the King of the Jews”. Some king, right? A real king would never show such weakness, would never be so humiliated. A real king would have the power to save himself - and would use it.
Those watching and mocking that day could not imagine or envision a reign or kingdom like the one Jesus embodies. But in the actions of this scene, all the things the soldiers mock are precisely what kingship means to Jesus. This true king doesn’t need fear to control, but instead rules with love. This true king doesn’t need to mock or humiliate those who are weak and suffering, but instead offers mercy and kindness. This true king does not use his power to save himself, but to save all of us - the whole world - even those who ridicule and persecute and kill him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This true king does not run to avoid death, but embraces it, and, in so doing, destroys the power of death so that he might reign forever.
The coming of Christ's kingdom is a two-fold reality. This kingdom in its fullness is not yet here - it takes just a quick glance at a list of news headlines to see that. Yet we still catch glimpses of it even now, perhaps most especially when we gather at the communion table for a foretaste of the heavenly feast.
In God's kingdom, the ways of the world are turned on their head - or, perhaps said better, turned right-side up. Throughout Luke's gospel, the appointed gospel for this past year of the lectionary, we've heard about a king who rules with righteousness, mercy, and peace, a Messiah sent to proclaim good news to the poor, release to captives, and freedom for the oppressed. We've heard that in God's kingdom, the last and lost and least are brought to the head of the line and filled with good things, while the rich are sent away empty. We've heard how God shows up in unexpected places - as a baby born in a small town, revealed first to lowly shepherds; among fisherman and tax collectors and the sick; on a cross, surrounded by criminals, taunted and mocked.
Yes, we know that the world is not as it should be, not as God intends. In the midst of suffering and brokenness, we give thanks for a king, a God, who is with us always, whose presence is revealed most fully in places of suffering, just as we see his kingship displayed in the brutality of the cross. And, we give thanks for the good and faithful leaders who proclaim this truth.
Today we celebrate the gift of ordained ministry, with Pastor Yedlicka’s 60th anniversary of ordination and Pastor Church’s installation as Senior Pastor this afternoon, giving thanks for leaders who walk in God's way of righteousness and justice. As we heard in the reading from Jeremiah, God appoints shepherds to faithfully care for the flock entrusted to them. We give thanks for leaders who follow Jesus’ model of kingship - not lording power over us, but serving, comforting, guiding.
Most of all though, we cling to the truth that whoever our earthly rulers might be, whether good or bad, our salvation is found in Christ alone. As we live in these in-between times, we continue to pray fervently that God's kingdom come among us, even here and now.
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