How does Christ reign in your life?

 

Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

Unlike most of the festivals in the Church year, today’s Feast of Christ the King is a relatively recent addition to the Church calendar. Just over 100 years ago, in 1922, Pope Pius XI published an encyclical named Ubi Arcano, in which he urged people to seek the peace of Christ. It was written in the aftermath of World War I, and after the fall of several powerful ruling families, including the Hapsburgs and the Romanovs.  In contrast, Pope Pius pointed to a kingdom which will have no end.

In 1925, Pius published Quas Primus, another encyclical in which Pius established the Feast of Christ the King. Its message countered the increasing secularization and nationalism of the world. So, the Feast of Christ the King is intended to declare to the world that Jesus the Christ is the everlasting ruler over all people and powers, much better than any earthly king or ruler could ever be.  

… Even with this explanation, I still struggle with the title of Christ the King. Everything I read in scripture tells me that being a king is the last thing on Jesus’ mind. He calls stinky fishermen and treasonous tax collectors to help in his ministry; he eats in a field with the poorest people; he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a steed; he challenges social norms by healing on the sabbath; and so forth. Faced with death, he submits to torture and crucifixion with few words of defense.  In Philippians, Paul quotes a hymn in which Jesus empties himself of his divinity and humbles himself to the point of death.

These are not the behaviors and attitudes of a wanna-be king, in the usual sense of what kings are like. For thousands of years, even the best kings and elected leaders have ruled with power over everyone else.  They have fought hard to maintain status and control, and get rid of any who were perceived as threats. They punished or forgave based on how it would benefit them.

In contrast, Jesus allowed himself to be ridiculed, tortured, and put to death. From the cross, he offered grace to his family and followers. He forgave the criminal who believed in him and promised him paradise after death. He asked God the Father to forgive those who were killing God the Son, because they didn’t know it was part of God’s plan.

… So, Jesus reigns from the donkey, from the picnic blanket, and especially from the cross. We can look again to Pope Pius for what it means to us that Jesus reigns over all that is. I have adapted his formal words in Quas Primus #33 for this sermon.

·       Jesus reigns in our minds as we affirm the truths he taught with his life, death and resurrection.

·       Jesus reigns in our wills as we obey the commandments.

·       Jesus reigns in our hearts as we love God above all things and cling to him alone.

·       Jesus reigns in our bodies as we seek the sanctification of our souls and justice for God’s people.

In other words, Jesus asks us to turn our whole lives over to him, to allow him to govern our every thought and deed. What does that mean for us? Here are some ideas:

Begin and end the day with prayer. In the morning thank God for waking you up, and ask God to guide you throughout the day. In the evening, take time to reflect on your day. Identify those things you need to confess and ask for forgiveness. And identify those things for which you give thanks.

During the day, notice what Jesus might have noticed: a hungry person, someone having a hard time, someone with a disability, someone many people consider as “other”. While you may not be able to heal them, or resolve their circumstances, you may be able to offer a word of comfort or support or a prayer.

Seek ways to have civil, respectful conversations with people who have different opinions from you. You don’t have to agree with them, and it is fair that you share your own opinion. These conversations don’t need to be lengthy, just respectful.

When someone offends you or a loved one, see them through Jesus’ eyes, with grace and mercy. Forgive them. And don’t hold onto the hurt, let it go.

…So, a sort of story. It will start by sounding like it’s about partisan politics, but it’s not about that.  

I confess that when Marjorie Taylor Greene first rose to prominence, I disliked her. Her firebrand approach to politics, her brash and outspoken manner, and especially her support of MAGA and Donald Trump angered me. She stood for values different from mine. I judged her without knowing much about her.

Lately, she has changed her approach to MAGA and political speech. She has begun to speak out in favor of extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies, pointing out that her young adult children will now pay high amounts for health insurance. She publicly stood up in support of the survivors of sexual abuse.

And Marjorie has been appearing on talk shows and news shows I watch. On those shows, she has lowered her tone of voice, and insists that her whole intention is to listen to and speak for her constituents in Georgia. Now, I began to appreciate her heart, because I could hear her.

And I was stunned, and more, I was saddened to learn Saturday morning that she is resigning from Congress. Now, I will miss her voice. I’m sorry to have judged her without knowing more about her. I had failed to grant her grace and mercy.  

This failure to really hear each other is what has led to our country’s divisive politics. We refuse to hear each other, and fail to give each other grace and mercy. We fail to respect each other as children of God.

… If Jesus really reigns in our hearts and minds, we need to listen to each other’s hearts. If Jesus really reigns in our lives, we will work to be more open to seeing Jesus in each person. If Jesus really reigns in our lives, we will forgive easily and let go of our pain.

This week, I hope you will consider how Jesus lives and reigns in your life. Amen`