Jesus Shall Reign
Listen.November 22nd, 2009
Rev. Dr. Craig A. Wagner
Introduction
What a person doesn’t know often makes all the difference in the world. I was appalled last week to discover the facts about popcorn in movie theaters. How sad it was to learn that something I really enjoy is totally bad for me. The news broadcasters and the print media proclaimed the disturbing facts: medium-sized popcorn and a regular soda contain as many calories as three quarter pound hamburgers and 12 pats of butter. This enormous amount of calories is present before the extra butter is added – which to me is the best part!!!! Knowing these facts makes all the difference in my attitude toward buying the popcorn. It may not stop me, but it certainly increases the guilt!
What we know about Jesus makes all the difference in the world, too. This is why Christ the King Sunday is one of the most important Sundays in the church year. We may simply look at this Sunday as the Sunday before Thanksgiving, or the end of the church liturgical year, but in reality this day is about proclaiming Jesus as King. Without this Sunday’s emphasis, we would miss this most important element of our faith. We may know everything about Jesus according to scripture from his birth through his ministry to his death and resurrection and still miss the recognition of Jesus as King if we didn’t have this Sunday.
A different kind of king
Our passage for today is actually scene two in Jesus’ interrogation before Pilate. The first scene was in the courtyard of Pilate’s headquarters, the praetorium. Jesus had been before Caiaphas, the high priest who questioned him and then sent him to Pilate. The Jews would not go into the Roman headquarters because that would mean defiling themselves, making them unclean and therefore not allowed to eat the Passover meal. So they stood in the courtyard and Pilate came out to meet them.
This trip from Caiaphas to Pilate was necessary because the Jews did not want to execute Jesus and deal with the backlash of those who followed him. Washing their hands of an execution, they stated that they were not allowed to execute anyone; let the Romans do it!
Pilate questions Jesus on claims of kingship. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. Implicit in this question is the assumption that a king would have a group of military or armed followers. This would present a threat to Roman governance and would be punishable by death. Insurrections were dealt with in a harsh manner. Jesus’ response was to question Pilate as to whether he asked this on his own or if someone else led him to this question. Pilate said contemptuously, “I am not a Jew, am I?” Your own people handed you over to me.
Jesus responds by telling Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. It is a different kingdom than the usual one that has political organization and geographical boundaries. It is not one with a military presence or with designs on overthrowing earthly governments.
However, by intimating that he has a kingdom, Pilate moves to the assumption that Jesus is a king and finally, Jesus suggests that Pilate is stating the truth, even though Pilate does not understand. The truth is that Jesus is king, but a king far above all other and worldly kings – his kingdom is the Kingdom of God and he will reign for all time and eternity in the hearts and in the lives of his followers. The truth is present, not everyone believes it or acknowledges it, even Pilate does not understand, but he eventually finds nothing in Jesus’ testimony to convict him and so he takes him back out to the Jewish crowd which had been stirred up against Jesus and wanted to see him dead. Jesus kingship is being shaped through the passion. This highlights the kind of kingdom over which he is King. It is a kingdom where the king understands the suffering, the passion, the oppression, the hurt of the people. It is a kingdom where the King identifies with his subjects. This is a Sunday we dare not miss. Christ is King and will rule over all – whether or not people believe, the truth is there. Without this Sunday an important aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry would be missing: his kingship. Jesus shall reign forever and ever.
The King and his Kingdom
As we think about this day and the text before us, I ask you to consider two questions that are vital for your life now and forever. The first question is: “Is Jesus King in your life?” Does he reign in your life; on your heart and in your mind? Perhaps a way to answer this question is to consider your life of worship. Is your life a life of worship? Are you a person of prayer? Martin Luther encouraged morning and evening prayer. In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the cross in the name of the Triune God, repeat the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, a morning prayer and then go joyfully to your work. The same is true in the evening, the sign of the cross, the invocation, repeat the creed and the Lord’s Prayer plus an evening prayer and then “go to sleep at once and in good cheer.”
How many of us would have trouble following this ritual of prayer and worship morning and evening? If Jesus is king in one’s life, there needs to be a sense of worship and devotion. Our thoughts need to be directed to God at all times. Is it any wonder that there are so many problems in individual lives and in the world because people don’t know the truth of the message that Jesus is king? Does he reign in your life?
The second question that strikes me is the question: Are you living a kingdom-oriented life? Does your worship of the King reflect in your living in the community of the kingdom? People who worship the King naturally want to be a part of a community that does the same. Community worship is a non-negotiable for those who claim Jesus as Lord and King. It’s like a command performance for the King.
Some people think that simply because they confess faith in Christ and say their prayers, worship in community doesn’t matter. How wrong they are. If Jesus is King then he rules our lives. The mandate has been given: Worship – not simply from the heart, but in the worshipping community.
As we worship the king, our lives are lived in community and our lives reflect the kingdom of which we are a part, or at least they should. Our priorities in life, our behavior patterns, our attitudes and our thoughts all reflect kingdom living and glorify God; or do they? Do we exhibit the gentle behavior of Jesus; show the love of Jesus; care about others as Jesus did; are we as willing to forgive as Jesus did?
On this stewardship Sunday, these are important questions because our total life of devotion to the King is reflected in our total life: from the way we live to our use of talents, gifts and even our financial offerings. Some people feel that because they use their talents, are involved in church, that financial offerings are inconsequential. How wrong they are: again Luther suggests that if we convert a person’s pocketbook we convert that person – because many view money as the most important king in life! All of life is under the rule of the King. Does Jesus reign in your life?
Those of us that attended the Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace University, discovered that Christians give generously. A Christian first tithes his or her income and then gives offerings over and above the tithe. The tithe being the first fruits of giving! When we worship the King, we live as the King directs us to live!
The gracious kingdom
The Kingdom of God is different than the usual kingdoms of this world. It is not the powerful overbearing geographical kingdom that tends to rule the world. It is not the political earthly kingdoms that some try to plant in this world and rule heavy handed and without care for humanity. It is not anything we are used to in our lives. The kingdoms of this world so often bring about pain, injustice, prejudice and are evil in intention. The kingdom of God and of King Jesus is totally other, totally different!
It is the Kingdom of God where love, mercy and abundant life for everyone are the standards not the exception. This gentle kingdom with its loving King touches the hearts of people, forgives sins and brings with it abundant and purpose-filled life. It is a kingdom where people are helped and encouraged, support and valued. It is a place of hope, of glory, of life and anticipation. It is a kingdom where God’s rule is recognized and his will is lived out.
It is a kingdom that lasts forever…not just for today, or for a few short years; forever! But not everyone knows the truth at this time; eventually, everyone will know when the kingdom of God breaks into history in all of its fullness…Jesus shall reign!
Conclusion
“A man dreamed he visited a celestial museum. No crowns or scepters were there, no miters or thrones, no Pope’s rings or Martin Luther’s inkwell. A handful of thorns were there, a seamless robe, a cup of cold water. ‘Have you a towel and basin?’ the man asked. ‘No,’ the angel replied. ‘You see, they are in perpetual use.’ The man knew then that he was in the Holy City” (McCracken, Putting Faith to Work).
Jesus rules. He is king, but his kingship and his rule and his kingdom is so different than the world’s understanding and yet so great and glorious its beyond words to describe. As Jesus reigns in our hearts and lives, we reflect that greatness in our service and our love for one another until the complete kingdom breaks into history and Jesus shall reign forever and ever. Amen.