Gospel of John, chapter 18 : 33-37
Was Christ truly a king? Not in the earthly sense, certainly. He rejected the attempt of his followers to make Him a king. He rejected all trappings of human power and dominance over others. But His message and example speak to the kingliest part of our natures, to live lives based on faith, hope and love.
We celebrate today the special kingdom that Jesus came to establish, a kingdom in which God’s Son comes to save us at any price, a kingdom that is not of this world for it resides within us. Those who jeered at the dying Jesus on the cross, did not understand this. They expected a kingdom of this world (Luke 23:35-43).
The type of kingship that Jesus demonstrates has no earthly match. This King is a shepherd for us and like the good shepherd, He does not push or herd the sheep from behind but walks ahead of them and leads them into freedom and security. This King seeks us out when we’re helpless, rescues us when we’re trapped, forgives us when we sin, and raises us up to new life. We enter into this kingdom when we acknowledge our sin and are reconciled with God and our fellow man. Much of the sickness, poverty, and suffering in this world are traceable to the disharmony that separates mankind from God and from one another. By healing the root problem of disharmony in our lives we position ourselves to receive God’s grace in all areas of our lives, spiritual as well as physical, moral as well as material, social as well as psychological. To try to solve the world’s problems and our own without first making peace with God is to miss the whole point. It is putting the cart before the horse, and it does not work. This is why Jesus asks of us to put God’s kingdom and His approval first in our lives as a condition to avoiding such disharmony and inequality ( Matthew 6 : 33 ).
Jesus does not come in judgment or with punishment and condemnation but with sympathy and reconciliation. He comes to lift up sinners. He wills not the loss of any of the flock, but only that each member recognize Him. He says that “everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” ( John 23 : 37 ). He is to be recognized by the pure of heart. Judgment in His kingdom will be levied according to whether we have recognized Him in our neighbors in need, by feeding, clothing, housing, refreshing and consoling them. Thus He insists: “I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40).
It is the little steps that we take in all these specific areas that build up the Kingdom of Christ which is a spiritual, moral and, of course, a socially desirable kingdom.
So, put one foot in front of the other and commit yourself to following Christ and helping others. You are not just trying to reserve a place for yourself in the new Kingdom of Christ. You are leading others to it as well.
You are following the lead of Christ, the King.
Fr. Hugh Duffy
6 Comments
Robert Galligan
Thank you Father. Always inspirational.
John Clark
I like your emphasis on Jesus being the shepherd who guides, protects, and calls us back when we stray. However, I do not have to “try to reserve a place in the new Kingdom.” Ephesians 2:8 tells me, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” My works should be an evidence of salvation, but there not a condition for it.
Hugh Duffy
Jack: Thanks for your sincere comment or critique of my message. Yes, we are saved by faith which is a gift and not earned or acquired. That should keep one humble and grateful. In practice, Jack, Faith cannot be separated from love, the greatest of the three theological virtues. St. Paul makes this clear about love, and Matthew 25 also insists on the corporal works of mercy.
Megan
Thank you Father Duffy! This little heart needed to hear this message this evening. Looking forward to celebrating Christ the King in the morning!
Joanne Savino
I find it extremely unfortunate that life is so unreasonably difficult for so many people, and although I struggle to live the way God demands for salvation, the harshness of life does not make salvation easier. I certainly wish that Jesus could have been an earthly as well as heavenly king. There would be far more justice as well as faith; constant trials and tribulations R not good.
Hugh Duffy
Joanne: You make a good point. The world can be an ugly place, and how we’d like to have a Saviour who could establish an earthly kingdom, here on earth, of justice and harmony. He gives us, however, the tools within us to do this, but He accomplished it by being impaled upon a Cross ( His throne ) in forgiveness for sins.