Let's be honest with ourselves; the King language probably seems outdated and out of place to most folks. Just as this photo of "Christ the King" would seem out of place in say, a Starbucks. I mean, come on, Jesus is wearing a papal crown for Pete's sake. How's that going to play in Seattle?
Anyways, kings and monarchs or all sorts are not really part the modern age, let alone the post-modern age we now live in. It denotes an authority that has shown itself to be corrupt, cruel and very often morally bankrupt. However, that's not to say Christ the President would be any better.
Consider the two candidates running for office now. While some political partisans may portray one or the other as messianic, they are both just regular men. They have flaws, ideological prejudices and are both willing to stretch the truth to suit their campaign narratives. That's not to say one won't make a good president. In fact, we should hope and pray that the one who is elected becomes a good leader. It is to say though that they are, as their actions suggest, simply politicians. And really any government based label we use falls short.
But really that's the point of "Christ the King," isn't it? It's a paradoxical phrase at least in our world, a counter-cultural idea that goes against the very nature of how we understand power, wealth, government and politics. It calls us away from the broken, flawed systems of human rule and draws us towards a better and more just way of living. Christ as our King does not have to do with political power but with statements of faith, trust and action.
We have faith in Christ, we believe in Jesus and therefore we trust in him above everything and everyone else. In doing so we trust that the way he modeling living, a self-giving, self-sacrificing way of service is better than a life chasing power and wealth. We also trust that whoever is elected, it will not be the end of the world. We trust that Christ in the end will rule and determine our fates. Finally, this faith and trust moves us to action. First to act not in fear, but in hope, regarding elections and any other world event. It also calls us to act for justice, mercy and care for the poor and vulnerable. And whether we answer to an elected official or a tyrant to demand they act with a similar sort of justice and mercy of their own.
So we should be willing to proclaim that there is no King but Christ, not because we long for castles and courts, but because we are God's people, saved and redeemed by grace through faith. We should proclaim it even as we uphold and participate in a flawed but good democratic form of earthly government. Because, the kingdom we look and work for is not of this world, but is coming day by day, through the work of the Holy Spirit and the hands and feet of God's people.
We have faith in Christ, we believe in Jesus and therefore we trust in him above everything and everyone else. In doing so we trust that the way he modeling living, a self-giving, self-sacrificing way of service is better than a life chasing power and wealth. We also trust that whoever is elected, it will not be the end of the world. We trust that Christ in the end will rule and determine our fates. Finally, this faith and trust moves us to action. First to act not in fear, but in hope, regarding elections and any other world event. It also calls us to act for justice, mercy and care for the poor and vulnerable. And whether we answer to an elected official or a tyrant to demand they act with a similar sort of justice and mercy of their own.
So we should be willing to proclaim that there is no King but Christ, not because we long for castles and courts, but because we are God's people, saved and redeemed by grace through faith. We should proclaim it even as we uphold and participate in a flawed but good democratic form of earthly government. Because, the kingdom we look and work for is not of this world, but is coming day by day, through the work of the Holy Spirit and the hands and feet of God's people.
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