Many will skip over Christ the King Sunday. We don’t know or tolerate the absolute power of royalty, although some countries maintain kings & queens as a nostalgic reminder of past glories. Americans have celebrated a celebrity rock-star and an overgrown primate as “king”: there must be some hidden quest to be in vassalage in our subconsciences. Nevertheless, “on Reign of Christ Sunday we celebrate the fulfillment of the Biblical revelation of God in Christ”. (Reuben P. Job, A GUIDE TO PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SEEK GOD, p.407)
Jeremiah 23:1-6 continues to speak God’s words of condemnation to the “false shepherds”, i.e. kings–perhaps Jehoiakim and Zedekiah–who have abused their power to the detriment of the People. But now an immanent LEGITIMATE shepherd in the tradition of David is approaching the horizon. God will round up the People from where they’ve scattered and restore justice and righteousness in the flavor of the Garden of Eden. We continue to wait for this Messiah: has this Kingdom begun?
An actual “garden” isn’t mentioned in Colossians 1:11-20, but Paul or his accomplice has written, “[God] has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of (his) beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The “power” of darkness is our own fear and insecurity; spectres & demons vanish in the Light of Christ. Perhaps the Colossian Church was beset by dark and uncertain times. Perhaps those in the pews this weekend are feeling likewise pressured.
The Gospel is a reprise of Luke’s crucifixion account, 23:33-43. What jumped out at me was the conversation between Jesus and the “good” thief: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Paradise is a Persian term for the King’s garden/hunting ground–NO ONE got in there without a royal escort, or at least credentials from the royal family. Much breath has been wasted debating when “today” is–but the idea of being Jesus’ guest in the already-blooming Garden is a most pleasing concept!
What dare we cling to in these dark times when all of Creation seems out of balance? What mercies and prayers can the Church offer that may inspire those in the life-raft to trust that God’s Kingdom has budded? “So committed, we are ready to face every eventuality of life because we now know the One in whom our life is found, redeemed, and kept secure. Our radical trust is in the One who is completely trustworthy. Life in Christ is good and complete.” (Job, ibid.)
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My encounter with scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be witnessed every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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