“Christ Is King* (Revelation 5:12)
We just visited the first “Protestant” (Anglican) church build in Latin America. Belize City, Belize, C.A. (Belize used to be called British Honduras, Thus the reason of British influence. Belize was granted Independence in 1981 and became the seventh country in Central America.) Across the street was a house built for Queen Elizabeth II. She only stayed there only once. King Charles III has yet to visit Belize, let alone live in the house. We were struck by the power and wealth of the monarch, surrounded by poverty. Since the building has not been used, Belize is going to use it for a museum. (See Below)
This Sunday,
the last of the Christian Year, is called “Christ the King Sunday.” It is a
time for focusing on KING, Jesus Christ!
Living
in the United States, Royalty is something we fought. Our leaders are elected not crowned. Blood line doesn’t determine who is elected
as president. For us Royalty is more
associated with Hollywood Movies.
Thinking of the Second Person of the Trinity as King
is difficult. what Revelation 11:15
The world has now become the Kingdom of
our Lord and of his Christ., and he will reign for ever and ever,
affirm that Both Jews and Christians believe that many of the Psalms referred
to the Promised Messiah, as much as they did to the events of their time...
Christians noted how many of the passages describe, in detail, Christ’s life
and death. Jesus quoted from the Psalms.
The
difference is the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. We believe and celebrate that Jesus was the
Messiah, Christ (Greek for Messiah). We
now wait for his promised return.
Read John 18:33-38.
Note the dialogue between Pilot, Roman Governor, and what he asks Jesus.
John 18:33-38 Pilate: “Are you
the King of the Jews?” (Royal Threat)
Jesus: “My kingdom is not
an earthly kingdom ...My kingdom is not of this
world.”
Pilate:
“So you are a King.”
Jesus:
“You say I AM a king... came to tell of Truth.”
Pilate: “What is Truth?”
Jesus taught his Disciples, and through them us how to pray. We call the pattern he gave us: The Lord’s Prayer: This wonderful prayer begins focused on Who God Is: “Our Father who is in heaven.”
There are six petitions. The first: "God’s name be
hallowed.”
The second: "Thy Kingdom Come:” May
thy kingly rule be established in our life-time and n our day. God is sovereign. We are seeking to live in that kingdom. Jesus began his ministry: “The Kingdom of God
is at hand.” All his teaching revolved
around his conception of the Kingdom of God and the new order of things when
God alone will reign. He told of how all
things would be transformed and how people’s characters would be different.
“The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of
our Lord and his Christ. And he will reign forever and ever.”
“KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."*
Rev. 5:12 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain – to
receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings.
The
Third Petition: “Thy will be done.”
Asking for God’s Kingdom to Come is Asking for God’s
Will/Plan to be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. We use: “Thy will be done ...” in our weekly
prayers, it may be the most difficult of the petitions to make. Because God’s will/kingdom has meant:
suffering, loneliness and even death for some who faithfully followed God and not
Culture. Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane is such an example. Other examples are The Apostle Paul’s imprisonment.
Others are Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox, (Founders of
Reformed/Scottish Church and known as Presbyterian in the United States of
America.)
If
we believe God Cares For Us, God’s Kingdom means direction, purpose, plan and
security, no matter the circumstances. (Read
Romans 8:25-28) Note that even out of what might be seen as disaster/failure
God brings good. Thus, we can live in hope!
Hope for the future fills the present with significance. All that is happening is furthering God’s Kingdom. Our desire is to cooperate with God’s plan. The Kingdom is in the future, but it is not remote and imaginary. In praying “Your Kingdom Come” we are saying: “May your rule be the norm for my life.” May God help us live in that Kingdom now. The Gospel of Mark records: “Jesus went about proclaiming the kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus’ actions and teachings evidenced God’s presence/kingdom.
If God’s kingdom has already come, why do we pray that it will
come? We are affirming our desire that
God will continue working in our lives.
We are saying:
“I am willing to do whatever you want me to
do. It was because of Paul’s obedience
that he wrote from jail, The letters to the Philippian and Colossian Churches:
“Rejoice in the Lord always ...” (Philippians. 4:4)
Read Joshua
5:13-15. The power present with Joshua was neither impersonal nor magical.
Power related to a Person: a Person who has continuity in history. The continuity of a Supernatural Leader was
made explicit in the incident near Jericho.
Here the One who met Joshua said:
“As commander of the LORD’S the army I AM come,” implying
that this ONE had been present, before, in a
different capacity. Joshua had been present and seen this
Presence before. Now this One was coming
as Commander. of the LORD’s Army.
“Joshua fell face down in reverence.”
This parallels
Moses experience. Read Exodus 3:1-22. Moses was called by a Person – The Great
“I AM.” Through the Burning Bush.
“Take off your sandals for you are standing on holy ground.”
Joshua received the same instruction. He
quickly unstrapped his sandals and kicked them off, knowing he was in Moses’
place. When God spoke to Moses from a
burning bush, God mentioned the past. “I
AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his
face before the same God who appeared before and called Abram.”
“I AM not a new God.”
Continuity in Leadership --Joshua. Moses had said, as he transferred
leadership to Joshua:
Deut. 31:7-8 “Be strong and courageous, for you must
go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to
give them and must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD Himself goes before you and will be
with you; He will neither leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged.”
God had lead Moses and the people through
a cloud in the day and fire at night.
Those ended when the people crossed the Jordan River, on dry ground, and
the men were circumcised, and they celebrated the Passover. Now Commander of the LORD’S Army meets,
affirms and gives orders on how Jericho will be taken.
Because Joshua knew the ONE kept his promises, Joshua
was able to say to the people, in front of the walls of Jericho, without fear:
“Shout for the LORD has given you the city.”
(Joshua 6:16) Why? (Schaeffer, Joshua)
“Because the Power was Personal, and Person was
there.” (Jericho was about 7 Acers
and walled, Fortress.) The Rear Guard started marching, totally surrounding the city. It had a psychological impact. There was fear of leaving the security/city. They
knew what the Jews had done on other side of Jordan. They were aware that the river had
stopped. “Their hearts melted, and they
no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.” (Josh 5:1)
The kingdom of God comes through Jesus, comes through
us, and will come when Jesus returns to this earth, to complete what he began. We cannot build the kingdom of God. Only God can.
But we can make ourselves available for God’s use.
Ph.
2:9-11 God
exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and earth, and
every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When Jesus told his
disciples he would leave for a while: “I AM going to prepare a place for
you. I will come back and take you to
where I AM.”
“Do not be Afraid.
I will not Leave or Forsake you.
The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all
things and remind you of everything I have said to you. (Will Guide and Empower you.) Peace, I give to you, not as the world
gives. Let not your hearts be troubled neither
let them be afraid.”(John 14:27)
When Christ returns to this earth he will come in the capacity as King. “Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13) and will rule. All will recognize his right to rule. There will be peace. We can regard Jesus as Lord now as a willing commitment or when he returns/called into his presence.
There is a Hym that affirms the meaning of Christ as
King:
The King Is Coming!
O the King is coming, the King is
coming! I just heard the
trumpets sounding. And now His face I
see. O the King is coming, the King is coming! Praise God, He is
coming for me!
Are you ready to meet the King? Have you bowed your knee and acknowledged Him
as Lord? If not, today is a good time?
If you are ready to meet the King I invite you to
affirm your faith, using the Apostle’s Creed.
Next
week I will begin a new set of blogs during the Four Weeks Advent in
Preparation for the First Coming of Jesus born as a baby in a humble setting. We call it Christmas. The blogs will focus on the promised return
of Jesus Christ the Christ.
*The Messiah composed by Frederic Handle
