This week is the Sunday which celebrates the Reign of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the Christian Year, the last before Advent begins. I’m preaching at my friend’s church and I’m really looking forward to it.
The Feast of Christ the King is a pretty new invention, dating from 1925, and is supposed to be about reminding us that Christ rules over all the earth.
For me that’s an interesting dichotomy. Christ was never the kind of king that others thought He should or would be. Even the people who spent most time with him, his disciples, seem to have expected a different outcome to the one they got.
The readings this week include Jesus ‘trial’ before Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate lets Jesus go, even though it seems as though he gets Jesus to admit that he is a king. But he’s not the kind of king that is a threat in Pilate’s view.
How wrong. Jesus’ rule is one of peace, of non-violence, of justice, of equality and of love. Throughout history these are the only causes that have triumphed over evil.
I like the unlikely evangelist’s take on ‘kingdom’, not meaning realm or dominion but authority. It makes such sense of Jesus’ encounter with Pilate. Christ’s authority comes from elsewhere. From God.
I hope your sermon goes well, I’m sorry I won’t be there to hear it!
If you really want I can email it!!!
How did it go? Was it well received? Maybe I’ll get to hear you live one day.
It was really good – well worth a read! Great service – thank you, I really appreciate you taking it for Bryan!
Why thank you. It was my pleasure. I enjoyed writing it this week!
Oh just to let you know Hayley is still talking about your childrens talk