Is Christ King?
33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" 35 Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:33-37)
Outside the window sirens blare. Down the street a man begs for whatever you can spare. In another community violence is the order of each day. Miles away government officials argue over the freedoms and responsibilities of the populations they govern. Further, peoples lives are thrown into disarray by nature's fierce hand. Further still, lives are torn apart by wars that the soldiers that fight them don't truly understand.
The last Sunday of the Christian calendar is Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday. We use it to celebrate the authority of Jesus. This authority does not oppress or force allegiance. This authority was born into a broken world, sought to serve and bless the least, laid down his life, taking the punishment for our sin. And when he rose in victory, the world was still broken and in chaos. But he left us with the path to peace; the path that serves, the path that chooses to act in faith rather than wallow in despondency, the path of love.
The sirens blare because some have answered the call to serve others in life's most challenging moments. The man who begs receives a few dollars, a meal, an acknowledgment of his plight. Most in our governments argue because they care deeply for the communities they serve. Someone who thought they lost everything found a supportive community endeavoring with them to begin anew. A soldier in a foreign land will learn the language, enjoy the food and culture, and return home realizing there was no enemy to fight.
Christ is king every time we choose to look to the Light and reflect that Light into the darkness and chaos - just like Jesus.
4b Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:4b-8)
