Lectionary Readings November 22
This Sunday the church celebrates Christ the King. Beginning in the 20th Century this set of readings on the one hand marks the end of the church year, and also looks ahead to the end of all things. It draws significance from the ascension and the understanding that Jesus is now reigning and will one day announce the final coming of Jesus as Lord, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord of all.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the royal throne, and say to those at his right hand: ‘Come, you have my Father’s blessing; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:31, 34
Reading. Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Ezekiel’s prophecy reminded the people of the nature of God, who constantly cares for the sheep, the people of Israel. These would be words of great comfort for they looked forward to a time when the nation would once more be under God’s control. This year the whole world has been gravely disturbed by the Covid 19 virus. Lives have been disrupted and many have faced illness and death. That disruption pales into insignificance compared to the disruptions that Ezekiel’s people faced. Great and powerful nations were on the march, and once aggressive and powerful kingdoms were in steep decline. In this realigning of great powers, smaller nations suffered humiliation and exile. Despite this turmoil Ezekiel offered a strong word of hope which centred round total reliance on God. For the prophet, God is supreme and he will gather the nation together once more. In addition God will establish a leader who will rule with benevolent mercy. King David had been dead for over three centuries so at the time of writing, this David, of whom the prophet is highlighting is a vision of the future. The great hope is there will come a time of godly stability which will not only give the nation comfort but will also deliver justice for all the oppression and subjugation the nation has suffered. The prophet’s appraisal of the world view is also linked to his prophetic word to the nation itself. Not only have the people been subjugated by powerful nations, even from within their own people there have been serious injustices. Some have grown fat and sleek while others have been pushed aside. In the prophet’s view this does not please God and God’s demand is that they will show justice and care for one another. In the new kingdom that Ezekiel is envisioning those who will participate in the benevolent reign of leader David will themselves be godly, merciful and just. Ezekiel’s message is comforting but also uncompromising: the God of Israel will protect and lead the people, but the people themselves must also play their part by being obedient to the commands of God. “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”? Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
Prayer. Gracious God, your providential care surrounds all of your people. You comfort those who are suffering and in distress. Your eye is on those who are grieving loss of every kind. You support the lonely and those who have lost hope. You open up a future for all who trust in you. So Lord God we give you all thanks and praise for your mercy and love. We pledge ourselves to follow in obedience, knowing that in you we will find all we need for faithful and fruitful life. This we pray through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is himself, the way, the truth and the life. Amen
Reading. Psalm 100. This is a great psalm of praise and thanksgiving. The opening line reminds us who God is. This God is the maker of all that is and everything in all of creation is programmed to give God due honour and praise. It reminds us of a verse from Isaiah 55:12 “ For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
This praise and thanksgiving tells us that the creation is not fragmented but is one great complete entity encompassing all things; all living beings; and all created things are interconnected for they all come from the one Creator.
The psalmist’s movement into worship and praise is to firstly acknowledge the sovereignty of the Great Creator. Following on from that each stanza is a renewed call to worship and praise because of who God is, and what God has done for the people. It is not hard to imagine the excitement and praise that the whole worshipping throng would have experienced. The praise and thanksgiving the psalmist is encouraging is much more than an outward show, it is worship that is deeply felt. The worshipper’s whole being is celebrating how wonderful and all providing this Creator is. The psalm looks back to what God has done and also looks forward to what is still to be, for this God is “faithful to all generations”. It is this hope that would have had a significant impact on each worshipper. Every person is urged to be active in this worship. Being passive as the psalm unfolds is not in the psalmist’s mind. The psalm ends in a great crescendo. “For ….”!
All the worship and praise is based on who God is and what God has done. This great God has done everything out of his goodness and grace and so in the end we can trust this God and live confidently in the creation this great Creator has made.
Prayer. Lord of all, to you we give all thanks and praise, you are worthy of all glory and honour. For every blessing we lift your name on high and rest secure in your great love and providential care. Your provision in life is wonderful to experience and we are forever grateful for all that in Jesus you have achieved. You are the King of all kings and all creation bows before you and your holy name: From everlasting to everlasting. Receive our humble thanks and praise as we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Collect. Father, you have established your Son as only king and shepherd of all people, to build from all the painful events of history your kingdom of love. Increase within us the certainty of faith: so that we may look forward to that day when, having destroyed our final enemy death, Christ will hand over to you the work of his redemption, that you may be all in all; for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
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