Reflection on the Readings for Christ the King, 24 Nov 2024:

What does it mean to be a king?

Usually, kings gain power through inheriting their position, being born as “royals” and chosen by the previous king. Kings are so powerful and special that the rules for “ordinary” people don’t apply to them. They are above the Law, “extra-ordinary”.

The Book of Daniel reflects this expectation: the expected saviour would come on a cloud and his good leadership would be of eternal sovereignty.
This reminds me of the prophet Elijah who disappeared with his chariot in the clouds. Elijah was a special prophet who gave good advice to the earthly kings, and from where he disappeared to, the true eternal powerful king would come to rule.

The people were expecting a powerful, glorious king whose kingship would never end.
How disappointed would they have been when Jesus died on the cross! Jesus was born into the House of David, the King of Israel. He had all he needed to be a great king on earth…

Pilate would have been as much confused as some Jews. If Jesus was the “King of the Jews”, why didn’t he fight for his kingdom, why didn’t he confront the Roman Empire?

“My Kingdom is not of this World”. Jesus Christ turns our expectations upside down. He doesn’t come on a horse, doesn’t live in a palace and doesn’t go to war against other kings.

Jesus came into the world “to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.”

While many Christ the King pictures depict Yes, Jesus was the King of the Jews – the Magi travelled from far to worship the newborn king, and many years later, the cross on which he died bore the title “INRI”, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
However, Jesus has always been much more than a King. He was also the Prince of Peace, the Bearer of Truth.
Jesus as a typical ruling king, some pictures show him as a King on the cross.

Jesus asks us to listen to his voice, to be on the side of truth. Maybe this is the kind of kingdom he wants us to live in: the eternal ruler cares for all human beings and the whole of God’s Creation. We are called to trust him and follow him. True royalty is empowering all people around it.

It is not about earthly powers and status symbols, but rather to live for one another and so be part of building the eternal kingdom of peace and harmony for all.

BM