Christ the King Reflection

Law/Gospel Theme:  Jesus came to Earth to live and die for us. unfortunately, there were many alive at the time who did not recognize the significance of who He was or what He was doing. They expected a ruler who might free them from political oppression or overthrow the human powers of the time. Jesus came to be king, but He did so by service and sacrifice. He came to free us from the powers of sin and death. This should remind us all that Jesus is king of Heaven, and king of our hearts.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that ever mindful of Your glorious return we may be kept both in faith and love ever waiting for You to take us home. 

Hymn: #26 Crown Him with Many Crowns

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.  In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.  That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.  And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

John 18:33-37

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. 

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” –

Hymn: #26 Crown Him with Many Crowns

Jesus did a lot of remarkable things. And fulfilled many roles while on Earth. He continues to hold tremendous power and authority over all things. Especially our lives.  

Consider some of the titles that describe Jesus. Such as Good Shepherd. Bread of life. And Lamb of God. Most importantly, though, Jesus is the king. He is God made flesh. Ruling not over an Earthly kingdom. But an eternal one. 

It’s important to be reminded that Jesus is more powerful and magnificent than any royalty we can imagine.

Who was Jesus? If you had to describe His roles and “jobs”, what do you think you might say? 

There are a lot of wonderful, amazing, and miraculous things that He did while He lived on Earth. As far as jobs go. We know He was a carpenter. He worked with a lot of fishermen disciples. 

He also did amazing healing miracles. So in a way He was sort of like a doctor, too. 

And then there are some special ways that Jesus described Himself.  He is the light of the world. He is the bread of life. He is the Good Shepherd. He is living water.

There’s another special and important title that Jesus has. He is the king! 

Now, this was somewhat confusing to some people around Him. Some of Christ’s followers wanted Him to be ruler of an Earthly kingdom.  And hoped that He would be king over the political powers of the time. 

When He was arrested. And questioned before His crucifixion. Pilate the governor asked Him if He was the King of the Jews. That became the accusation made against Him that got Him killed. 

In fact. People made fun of Jesus and gave Him a crown made of thorns to mock Him for saying that He was king. 

When they put Him on the cross. They said His “crime” was being king.

But they didn’t know the whole story. And they missed out on something very important. 

Jesus did not come to rule over people on Earth. He was not trying to overthrow political power. 

Jesus was the king of the people in a spiritual sense. He was—and is—King of all things. 

He is God. Reigning in Heaven. He wants to rule and reign in our hearts, too. 

He is the victorious conqueror of sin and death. In all of the things that Jesus did and does for us. He is master and king. He is not a tyrant. But a loving king. Who sacrificed His life to save ours. 

He continues to love us. And He wants us to honor and serve Him. We show that we love and respect Him when we live lives of devotion to God. 

We can also pray. Read our Bibles. And do positive things. But all of that “doing” is not as important as putting Jesus first in our lives. 

We can recognize His kingship when we truly love Him and love others. We remember He is present with us each and every day. In all things. 

We act as though He is the king because He IS! Jesus is the king!

Let’s pray and thank God for our wonderful king Jesus…

Thank you, Jesus our Lord and King. In Thanksgiving we offer you our worship and praise.  Thank you for giving us Jesus. He is the king! Help us to keep Him king of our lives. We want to serve you with all we have. Lord, thank you for your love and care.  

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.

The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord for our national life.

The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grass and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.

The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us. 

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer. 

Sources

Image of Christ the King copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Christ is King! Children’s Sermon from John 18:33-37 - Ministry To Children 

September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org) 

 

Thursday prior to Christ the King

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Revelation 1:4b-8 –Christ, the King of Kings returns to reign

The King of kings return will be seen by all. Christ the King of kings will return to the earth. This passage contains a greeting similar to Paul’s, a doxology, an announcement of Jesus’ return, and God’s declaration of His being the Alpha and the Omega; the first and last. Grace and peace come from the Trinity: (God-the Father; Christ-God the Son; Holy Spirit – “seven spirits,” the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.) 

The beginning and the end of the passage deal with the Father, but Christ is the subject of the central section. Jesus is a witness, the firstborn of the dead, the King of kings (death, resurrection and ascension.) Because of His love, Jesus redeemed us, made us a kingdom, and will come to judge the earth.

A prayer of supplication – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because You desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his evil way and live, graciously turn away from us the punishments which we by our sins have deserved and which have been borne for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, and grant us ever to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever- [2]

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[1] The New Heaven, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] A Prayer  for Supplication and For Christ’s return, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

 

Wednesday prior to Christ the King

[1]

Daniel 7:13-14 – God gives the Son of Man an eternal kingdom.  A vision of the Son of Man’s presentation to the Lord who gave Him an indestructible kingdom.  Here we get the picture of one like a son of man appearing before the Lord, not coming to earth as in Mark 13. By the time of the New Testament, the Son of Man was conceived as an individual, a heavenly figure. Jesus used the term to signify His Messiahship. This is the proclamation of the final establishment of Christ’s kingly rule. It says that at the end all things in the world will be subject to Christ and that all nations will serve Him. This is the basis for Christian hope. 

Here we have a delightful scene in heaven. The Son of Man is presented to the Father. It is similar to a subject’s presentation to a king. Jesus has completed the task God =gave him. He died for the world and rose in victory. Now he returns to heaven and is presented to the Father. As a reward for his work, the Father gives him an eternal and universal kingdom. Daniel saw better than he knew.

The word “dominion” is used several times in these two verses. It is the kingdom, the reign give to the Son of Man. This makes him more than a king, for his rule extends to the ends of the universe. Because of this dominion, he is the judge of the earth. Since he is God’s Son, his rule is eternal for the LORD cannot die. The universe belongs to Christ and it is in his good hands. In spite of this, Christ does not have perfect dominion until every heart accepts him as king.

As the king of the universe, the Son of Man has innumerable servants, as a king deserves. He served the people of all ages by his atoning death, and now all peoples are his servants. If Christ is our king, ten we are his servants. We exist to obey. We live to please him. In that service we find our peace, our joy and our freedom. .[2] 

Collect for the Glorious Reign of Christ —Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that he may lead home His bride, the Church, that we will all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. [3]

[1] The New Heaven, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[3] Collect for the Glorious Reign of Christ, Lutheran  Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing, St. Louis 

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Tuesday prior to Christ the King

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Psalm 93; key verse, verse 1 - “The Lord is King.”  This refrain is the theme of the entire day – The Lord is King. He is the king above all other kings, the one and true God. We offer Him our worship and praise for He is worthy of our worship, praise, glory and honor. He is truly the Christ, our King.

There is no title to this psalm in the Hebrew text. It is a short, bold declaration of God’s might, power, and holiness. G. Campbell Morgan said of Psalm 93, “Interpretation is almost an impertinence. Let it be done reverently.”

“Psalm 93 describes a theocracy, as do the seven psalms that follow it. The words Yahwehmelek (‘Jehovah reigns’ or ‘Jehovah is king’) are the watchwords of these theocratic psalms.” (James Montgomery Boice)

The LORD reigns, Psalm 93 begins suddenly and wonderfully with the proclamation of Yahweh’s rule. This lifts the covenant God of Israel over every idol and pretender of sovereignty. [2]

The theme for the last Sunday of the church year is the King and His Kingdom.  Without any difficulty, the theme of kingship can be seen in the lessons. We now come to the end of the church year. Throughout the year, we have covered the life, work, and teachings of Jesus, and it comes to a glorious climax today with a “Hallelujah Chorus.” The Gospel lesson (John 18:33-37) reminds us that Jesus’ kingdom is not a worldly kingdom. The Old Testament lesson (Daniel 7:13-14) pictures the Son of Man upon His ascension receiving an eternal and universal kingdom. The King of kings will return to earth, according to the Epistle lesson (Revelation 1:4b-8). The refrain of the Psalm for the day could not be plainer: “The Lord is King.”

 

Collect for Psalm 93 Lord Jesus, king of glory, when you rose from the grave in the power of the Spirit,, you firmly established your kingdom, never to be shaken or destroyed by death. May your will be done on earth as in heaven until the Church is made holy by your embrace, our Redeemer and our Lord.[3]

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[1] The New Heaven,  Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-93/

[3] Collect for Psalm 93, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV. © The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Christ the King

[1]

Psalm 39:4-5, 7-8, 12a, Antiphon, 2 Peter 3:13b–We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  The Antiphon expresses the desire of every believing child of God – to be home with the Lord. This is our destiny. We are not earthbound. We are only strangers here – heaven is our home.

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

The Chief Musician is thought by some to be the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose him to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6).

Jeduthun (mentioned also in the titles of Psalm 62 and 77) was one of the musicians appointed by David to lead Israel’s public worship (1 Chronicles 16:41; 25:1-3).

This is a Psalm of David, though it cannot be connected to any specific point in his life. It is possible that it was from his last few years of life.

LORD, make me to know my end: David’s silence was broken in the best way – by humble prayer to God. He would not speak his fears and doubts before the wicked, but he would pour them out before His God. Here David asked God for wisdom – specifically, the wisdom to know the shortness and the frailty of his life (that I may know how frail I am).

And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Perceiving the shortness and frailty of life made David put his expectation and hope upon God and not upon himself. In right standing and friendship with the Living God, David could understand and prepare for life beyond this life.[2]

Collect for Psalm 39: Heavenly Father, through your Son you taught us not to fear tomorrow but to commit our live to your care. Withhold not your Spirit from us, but help us find a life of peace after these days of trouble; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Collect for Christ the King –Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[4]

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[1] The New Heaven,  Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-39/

[3] Collect for Psalm 39, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. IV © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for Christ the King, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Proper 29 - Christ the King - notes

Behold your king!

Pilate asks “are you a king?” This peasant preacher. Jesus of Nazareth – Is He a king? This prophet. Who enters the capital city on a donkey – Could He be a king? Where are His palaces? His bodyguards? Is this a king who stands before Pilate with a crown of thorns on His head, a reed in His tied hands, and with rags for a regal robe? A King – Are you kidding? Jesus is every inch a king because –

1. He was born a king
2. He lived as a king
3. He died as a king
4. He conquered as a king

I.        He was born a king – He has an eternal throne.

A.     The wise men who “saw His star in the east,” came to worship Him. As they entered the city of Jerusalem they asked, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” –Matthew 2:2

B.     The response of these wise men to Jesus is entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of all true discipleship. They seek Christ (v. 2), and when they had found Him they rejoice (v. 10), and worship Him (vv. 2, 11a).  They offer Him gifts that befit a king. (v. 11b; see Psalm 45:7-9; 72:15)

II.     He lived as a king – “A ruler is most powerful…when he tends to the needs of his subjects.” (–Danker)  People with power not only take what they want because they can do so unpunished, but also because they intuitively feel they are entitled to do so. Conversely, people who lack power not only fail to get what they need because they are disallowed to take it, but also because they intuitively feel they are not entitled to it.

A.     Speaking to Pilate as He stood trial Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36

B.     It is the kingdom of heaven, and it belongs to another world. Christ is a king, and He has a kingdom, but it is not of this world. His kingdom is not by succession, election, or conquest, but by the immediate and special designation of the divine will and counsel.

Its nature is not worldly. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17). Its riches and powers are spiritual. The ministers of state in Christ’s kingdom have not the spirit of the world.  

In this kingdom. Its guards and supports are not worldly. Its weapons are spiritual. It neither needed nor used secular force to maintain and advance it. It opposed no other kingdom. But that of sin and Satan.

Its tendency and design are not worldly. Christ neither aimed nor would allow His disciples to aim at the pomp and power of the great men of the earth.

Its subjects, however, they are in the world, yet they are not of the world. They are called and chosen out of the world. They are born from, and bound for, another world.

They are neither the world’s pupils nor its darlings. They are neither governed by its wisdom. Nor enriched with its wealth.

III.   He died as a king – Behold your king. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” –INRI

A.     In His suffering, agony, crucifixion, and death He offers life and salvation to all who would believe in Him.  In His cruel death the Father offers clemency to all who are convicted of sedition against Him.  C.S. Lewis describes it this way, “”When an innocent victim who had committed no treachery dies in a traitor’s stead the table would crack and death itself begins to work backward.” - “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

B.     Do you believe this?  The cruel cross of Calvary always looms ahead of us. Does the death of a condemned man seem compelling enough to offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you?  The surroundings and the circumstances of His death are the means by which we find peace with God and absolution for our sin.   

IV. He conquered as a king – George Handle in his work the Messiah has his chorus sing, “And He shall reign forever and ever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords” –

A.    In the book of Revelation St John writes, “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:  “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” Revelation 5:11-14    

B.    As subjects of this king you have been given the hope and promise that you too will live and reign with Him in glory.

Is this Jesus a king? Most certainly He is – He was born, He lived, He died a king. When He appears in glory. We shall see Him as He is – The Alpha and the Omega – King of Kings and Lord of Lord. “Even so come quickly Lord, even now,

 

Saturday prior to Proper 28

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Hebrews 12:1-3; Revelation 2:10; 14:13; 17:14 is the inspiration for the hymn, For All the Saints (LSB 677).  Soon we will close out the church year. As citizens of the United States, we are also citizens of another country – the Kingdom of Christ in glory. This week we have celebrated Veteran’s Day honoring those who have served in the armed forces of our nation. At the same time, we honor Christ who has served us defeating our last great enemy death and opened for us the gate which leads to eternal life.

William W. How (b. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, 1823; d. Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897) studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the "poor man's bishop" and "the children's bishop," How was known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works about controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and attempted to reconcile biblical creation with the theory of evolution. He was joint editor of Psalms and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871). While rector in Whittington, How wrote some sixty hymns, including many for chil­dren. His collected Poems and Hymns were published in 1886.[2]

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

For strong faith in Christ – Almighty and ever-living God, since You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who believe, grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Your sight may never be reproved; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[3]

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[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://hymnary.org/person/How_William

[3] Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House