This Sunday marks the end of the “church year.” Having gone through the sweep of Jesus’ story, the church year “ends” on the note of Christ’s reign as God’s Son, how he “rules” in and among us in his post-Easter kingdom. All these images might seem distant to us since we don’t have a “king” (thank God!), but we do pray every Sunday, “…thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…” Combine that with a Biblical expectation that Christ will return to “judge the living and the dead”—however it’s understood—and Christ AS King becomes a major theme indeed! 

BUT what I love about how the church celebrates Christ the King, through the assigned scripture readings for each Sunday, is that it lifts up Jesus’ weakness, humility, and servant-hood. 

Yes, he is seated on a throne—in the tattered clothes of a homeless person bearing the wounds from his crucifixion. This year’s gospel (Matthew 25:31-46) is the parable of the Sheep & the Goats, where Jesus enthroned in his glory says the “sheep” cared for HIM when they cared for the homeless, imprisoned, poor and hungry. So where is Jesus Christ our King today? In and among us in the homeless, imprisoned, poor and hungry. The contrast with how our society and culture equate power with wealth and success could not be more stark! And yet, there is a tendency in some parts of Christianity to seek power and influence for the sake of the “Kingdom,” especially in political discourse with an election next year. I understand where that tendency comes from, but counter to how the world works that is NOT how Jesus Christ ruled or says he will rule. 

“Thy kingdom come” is already here—not in the full consummation of Christ’s glory—but among us in the giving and receiving of acts of servanthood.

Peace,

Pr. Christian