Christ the King---Given in Erwin, TN

Today we celebrate that Jesus is king.  But I am not sure that we can really understand what it means for Jesus to be king.  What a king really is.  The problem is that we throw around the title king a little too freely in our world today.   Our examples of kings really do not do justice to the kind of king that Jesus is.  Here’s what I mean:

 

We have the “King of Rock and Roll.”  Elvis could really shake those knees and hips like no one else. And no one can deny the effect of “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender” and “Suspicious Minds.”  But I would hardly think any of us would think Jesus is this kind of King.

 

Then there is the “King of Pop.” Though he could really dance and hit those high notes, and is probably one of the best known iconic figures all around the world, I don’t think Jesus is the kind of King Michael Jackson was.

 

And we have the King of burgers.   Those flame-broiled whoppers are to die for.  In fact, I am hoping that Fr. Tom takes me there after Mass.  But I think we would want our king to do a little more than flip burgers and fry fries.

 

And then there’s the King of Leon for the younger crowd here, the King of the Hill, the King of Comedy, the King of Queens, the King of Boardwalk, and the King of Everything.  But none of these are our king.  None of these are Christ the King.

 

So what kind of king is Christ Jesus?

 

Christ the King is a king of peace.  As violence plagues the middle East, as a cease fire barely holds between Israel and Palestine, as thousands are slaughtered in Syria while the international community is unable to respond because of self-interest or slippery diplomacy. As our homes in East Tennessee continue to have some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the United States.  Christ the king is a king of peace who desires to bring justice to those who have been hurt.  A king of peace who brings life to those who are dying.  A king of peace who brings nourishment to those who are hungry.  A king of peace whose iron dome is compassion and forgiveness.  Christ the king is a king of peace.  This is our king.

 

Christ the King is a king of service.  He is the king that would get down on his hands and knees and wash our feet.  Imagine that: the king washing the feet of the subjects.  He would wash our feet that have been scarred from journeying misguided and mistaken paths of life.  He would wash our feet cut and bloody and bruised from sinful wondering and slothful steps.  He, the master and creator of all things, would stoop down and wash the feet of the creature, so as to show us what it means to love.  He would wash our feet because Christ the king is a king of service.  This is our king.

 

Christ the King is a king of self-emptying.  When so many people use their power to promote their agenda, when world leaders go from being democratically elected to being all-powerful dictators, trampling over the very ones they are to protect.  When so many of us work at amassing goods and earthly treasures so indicative of Black Friday, Christ the king emptied himself.  He was filled with the love of his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, filled with all wisdom and grace and power; and he emptied himself so as to become Godforsaken.  In that space of forsakenness he made room: room for our sin, our punishment, our disgrace and our shame.  And he allowed his emptiness to be filled with this cocktail of death so as to take it to the cross and make an end of it forever. Christ the King is a king of self-emptying.  This is our King.

 

Christ the King is a king of sacrifice.  When so many leaders around us buy their way out of trouble, hire staff that covers up their mistakes and use their authority to live in comfort and luxury, Christ the king handed it all over.  When we compete unhealthily in all things so as to boost our position, our status and our bank account, Christ handed it all over.  When the going got tough he got going.  He got going down that long road to Calvary.  He got going up to the top of that mountain. He got going on to that cross.  He became exposed and deposed on that cross for the entire world to see.  And he did it that each and every one of us might be free.  His sacrifice was for us.  Christ the King is a king of sacrifice.  This is our king.

 

This is Christ the king.  This is the one we celebrate today.  Not the king of pop, the king of rock and roll, the king of queens, but the true king who came into the world to testify to the truth.  And this king of peace, service, self-emtpying and sacrifice wants to give us all the rewards of his kingdom:  the protection of his grace; the freedom of his forgiveness; the order of his law of love.  But he only asks one thing us:  if we wish to belong to his kingdom, we must listen to his voice.  Listen to his voice.  That’s it.  It is very simple.  But it will ask everything from us. 

 

To be members of his kingdom we are called to listen to his voice:

 

Listen to his voice calling us to be a people of peace.  Praying for peace in the world, promoting peace in our families.  Centering ourselves in prayer at the beginning of each day to approach this world in peace.  Turning off the violent games and violent movies if they create violence in us.  To stop amassing weapons and guns and amass forgiveness and reconciliation.  Christ the king is a king of peace and his voice is calling us to live this way.

 

His voice calls us to be people of service.  Cleaning our rooms even though mom didn’t ask.  Volunteering at the local food bank rather than going to the movies with our friends.  Cooking a meal for our wife when she’s had a long day.  Caring for the town drunk at the grocery store.  Christ the king is a king of service and so his voice calls us to live this way.

 

His voice calls us to be a people of self-emptying.  Letting go of our will and our way and our control and our desires.  Letting go of being in the spotlight and being recognized and being the best.   Letting go of unhealthy competition and always thinking we are right.  Christ the king is a king of self-emptying and so his voice calls us to live this way.

 

His voice calls us to be a people of sacrifice.  Sacrificing some of that savings to a good charity rather than buying that extra toy on black Friday.  Sacrificing our time to be with our kids rather than watch the football game.  Sacrificing our own personal preference to make room for other people.  Christ the king is a king of sacrifice and so his voice calls us to live this way.

 

On this day Jesus says to us: Church, you say I am a king.  If you wish to be members of my kingdom then listen to my voice.  Follow me, for I am the way, the truth and the life, I am the Alpha and the Omega;   I am Christ the King.  Come and live in my Kingdom.