‘Christ the King’ came about just before World War Two when the Pope, conscious of the growing totalitarian regimes then flourishing in Europe, instituted a Sunday when Christians would do well to think of God as a different sort of king; one who is just.
Of course, it’s always a bit of a ‘fool’s errand’ attempting to describe God in human terms at all. The Jewish Scriptures were surely wise invoking that divine title of I am who I am.
On Wednesday this week I had the joy of leading a small evening study group at church. In one of the side rooms, as we were serenaded by a Community Choir giving it their all in The Sanctuary across the corridor, we looked at the passage from Mark’s gospel where James and John request a seat at the top table in heaven. Themes of ‘power’ and ‘control ‘were before us as all this was challenged by Jesus who declares I did not come to be served but to serve and give my life…
If we believe Jesus shows us the character of God, then surely ‘service’ is a core component of that character.
I love the parable story often called The Lost Son which could easily be labelled The Loving Father. This is the picture of a parent who is vulnerable in their longing and their waiting. A parent whose love is never manipulative. When the Prodigal does appear on the horizon this parent runs to greet him with open arms.
Over recent weeks we have begun to appreciate that our own Queen is becoming more vulnerable. She has served us with exemplary faithfulness and I suspect our love and respect for her is not diminished as she now enters into years that are calmer and less busy.
Kingship obviously has elements of power intrinsic to it, yet the bible also describes God, seen through the prism of Jesus, in terms of loving, even vulnerable, service.
Graham Kendrick was, I think, much inspired when he wrote of the Lord Jesus Christ: Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered.
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