Sermons for the Month
Royalty Visits Us And Rules In Our Hearts
DATE: November 23rd, 2003
SERVICE: Christ the King Sunday
TEXT: John 18:33-37“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN
Our President has been consorting with the Royals in London this week. According to a report on NPR Queen Elizabeth II greeted him wearing a lovely purple ensemble, there was a salute of rifle fire and an inspection of the Buckingham Palace Guard as this state visit began.
This was no ordinary trip to Great Britain by a United States President; it was an official state visit which means that the invitation came from the Queen herself, not from the Prime Minister or any other British official. It has been some time since a true state visit occurred, since a United States President and First Lady were guests of the Monarch.
Of course, this visit was marked by noisy anti-war and anti-Bush protests, which made it more newsworthy than might otherwise have been the case. In this day and age being invited by Royalty for a stay at the Palace is not as big of a deal as was once true. And, I don't suppose anyone would get too excited if the invitation was reciprocated and Queen Elizabeth showed up with Prince Charles at the White House.
However, there might be a bit more of a stir if Royalty suddenly showed up at one of our homes. Can you imagine? I can only hope that they would come a day after my monthly trip to the grocery store when there actually may be something other than pretzels and yogurt to offer for supper. "Your Majesty, which Lean Cuisine entrée might I offer you? There's this lovely macaroni and cheese, or the vegetarian lasagna has a delicate yet memorable flavor. And, the bag-o-salad is only a few days beyond its expiration date." No doubt I'd leave an impression.
The idea of royalty coming to see me, or any of us, is on the humorous side. Yet…on this Christ the King Sunday…we rejoice that such a thing actually occurred. A King named Jesus came to our world, to our homes, to our hearts. He is a King like no other. In fact, today's Gospel lesson presents us a glimpse of Jesus in which he seems quite unlike a king.
We find him standing before Pilate, who has been appointed by the Roman government to control the affairs of Palestine. Jesus, a carpenter by trade, is wearing the garb of a common person. Perhaps he looks a bit worse for the wear because during recent years he has walked many miles, traveling from place to place on the dusty roads of Palestine. He has taught people about God, bringing healing and hope into their lives. He has been sleeping wherever, eating whatever.
It seems to Pilate that there is not one thing threatening or power about Jesus. He is very unlike a King. Yet, he has been arrested by the Jewish authorities and is accused of stirring up rebellion among the common people. They way he aspires to be King. Pilate cannon believe it. This man wants to be King of Judea? So he asks Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Can't you imagine that he found the whole thing laughable? This man is a king? Pilate probably expected Jesus to deny the charge and save himself since he was obviously NOT king material. Where, after all, was the military backing, the family heritage, the aggressive personality and the wealth that belonged to a king? Was this man the King of the Jews? Of course that was not the case. Pilate expected a resounding "NO" from Jesus.
Instead, Jesus says that he is, indeed, a king. But his kingdom is not of this world. In fact, nothing about him fits the worldly description of king. He was born in a barn, not a palace. He was to wear a crown of thorns that made him bleed, not a crown of gold. He walked with people rather than ruling over them. He said that the peacemakers are blessed and commanded no army. He sided with those who were sinners, an action that often was viewed as unjust or unfair.
This King Jesus asked God to let the cup of suffering pass from him, and in that moment was not fearless and brave, but submitted to God's will. He allowed himself to be arrested and brought to trial. And, as the story continues beyond what we read today, he was tortured and killed.
Who could blame Pilate for asking, "So you are a king?" How could he understand? It does not seem to me that Pilate could know the truth about Jesus. But, we can, because we know the rest of the story. If it ended with Jesus standing before Pilate, or with his death, then the title King would not fit. Jesus is King for one reason only; it is because he returned to life after he died.
This is so beautifully expressed in one of my favorite hymns that we are singing today, "Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save. His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high, who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die."
Jesus Christ is the King, that's clear, and the King has come to us. So the question becomes, what does the mean in our lives?
I read a little story this week that made me think. It's about a man who asked someone whether or not he believed in Jesus. Was Jesus his Lord, his Savior, or to use the language of today's Gospel lesson, his King? The man being asked this question replied, "Why do you ask me such a thing? I could tell you anything. I could tell you just what I think you want to hear. Here are the names of my banker, my grocer, my employees, my neighbors. Ask them if Jesus is my Lord, my King."
That's an interesting idea, isn't it? What if someone asked others - our co-workers, the grocery store employee, the car mechanic or the person who switched lanes without looking - whether or not Jesus is the King of my life or of your life, what would the response be? It is true that we are not saved by what we do, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. Still, our faith should shine through. Or, to quote a Saint of old, "Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words."
It should be obvious to all who see us that Jesus rules in our hearts. And, indeed, that's a good way to think of his presence because most of the time Jesus does his work from the inside out by changing us and strengthening us.
When we are face with hostility, he empowers us to forebear and to forgive. When we are faced with injustice, he provides courage to speak out and bring about change. When we are faced with temptation, he gives us resolve and the ability to choose as we should. When we are faced with fear or confusion, he offers peace of mind. When we are faced with illness, he provides healing in a variety of ways. When we are faced with challenges, he guides us. And, we are faced with death, he promises us eternal life.
We do not have to wait to be invited for an official state visit to meet our King; he invited himself into our lives. Jesus is the King who came to our world, who visits our homes and rules in our hearts. This is the truth that we know and that we live… this is the truth that is obvious to those around us. So, ask our neighbors or the delivery person or the phone solicitor, "Who is her King? Who rules in his heart?" And the answer will be clear … Jesus. AMEN