Christ the King Sunday - St. John Lutheran

The Problem with Authority

Christ the King?

Sunday Readings (click here)

So who is in charge really?

• In a McDonald's world I could not imagine not having "someone" be in the position of authority. The McDonald's world runs on authority - and I have lived in the aftermath of chaos when managers fail to assume that position.
  
• What happens when parents try to be "friends" to their children rather than an authority figure in their children's lives?
• In government we have seen this happen - authority is challenge daily.
  

In this modern world we as much as those in the ancient world struggle with who really is in charge. Depending on who you are some would thrive on a militant king. Others seek the peaceful presence of someone who rules with justice and kindness. How do we approach Jesus as King? "For this reason I was born - and for this reason I came into the world to testify to the truth."

Maybe we learn about Jesus as king in the prayers he offered - "Not my will Father but your will be done." Perhaps it is in the example of grace that extends to the sinner, the outcast, the tax collector. The strength and magesty of our Lord Christ comes not in earthly terms which often become confused with terms like dominance, dominion, and unbalanced approach to authority.

We believe beloved in a savior and a king who comes and breaks into the chaos of this world were authority runs a muck, fearful monsters and visions cloud our view of hope, and the reality of God's promise may be overshadowed by our thoughts of despair. Do we believe in such a king and savior that would exchange his own life to grant us complete and everlasting pardon for our sins? What shall we say about these things? Are we confident or fearful of the images and words declaring Christ's return? If all "eyes shall see him" will we be cowering in the corner shivering in fear or be standing with our bags packed assured in the blessed grace and promise God has given to us through Jesus?

Applying the Text

1. From the beginning to the end of the ages God is ultimate King of the universe and our lives.
1. "I am the Alpha and the Omega"
2. "You throne is establish from old and you are from everlasting"
3. Do not be full of fear and trembling - see the Lord descending.
4. Do we see the fingerprints of God in human history?
   
5. "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it." ... Brother Lawrence
6. Examining our own lives how has God moved through our own history? Baptism, confirmation, communion, marriage, and yes even in the sad moments of losing loved ones...
2. Embrace the Savior who gives to us ultimate guidance, loved, peace, and the promise of life everlasting.
1. Pilate entered the headquarters^* again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ ³⁵Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ ³⁶Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.
2. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. ⁸“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

3. Pius the 9th in 1925 hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:

   1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).
   2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).
   3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).

3. As we draw the church year to a close may we be confident in the hope that awaits us in glory.

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

³⁷Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Listen to the voice of the Savior today who declares he is the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end. Leaders come and go - authority is challenged in many ways - yet I savior stands fast forever.