Lectionary for Last Sunday of Pentecost.
The reign of Christ the King Sunday.
‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8
Collect. Let us pray (that the kingdom of Christ may live in our hearts and come to our world):Father all-powerful, God of love, you have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life, resplendent in glory as King of creation. Open our hearts, free all the world to rejoice in his peace, to glory in his justice, to live in his love. Bring all people together in Jesus Christ your Son, whose kingdom is with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Revelation 1:4b-8 The great feature of the Christian faith is that it is a faith which brings hope. It is not a hope built around principles but around a person whose name is Jesus Christ. The major theme of the early church was that Jesus lives and that through his resurrected life God’s Kingdom is being established even as we live in this decaying world. Across the world at the present time the shrillness of the voices raised with concern about all manner of things should remind Christians again and again that without Jesus there is no hope. It should be clear that as a race humanity will not save the world. The reason we will not save the world is that we have too many vested interests coupled with no willingness to trust others: That gloomy picture, (perhaps a little over drawn!), shows us that we need a clear and decisive leader who will lead us to a new set of circumstances. That is what our reading for this week is offering: Jesus is coming back to take charge. This will not be a piecemeal approach; everything will be renewed under his Lordship. On this return Jesus will not be at the mercy of the ungodly but with authority he will take his place as the head of the Kingdom.
In its context the message would have given encouragement to Christians who were beginning to face some very difficult times. The thought that the God who is and who was and who is to come was over every aspect of life would have helped them to endure, knowing that God would see them through to a time of grace and peace. It is that consistent message that encourages us, knowing that Jesus is still at work bringing about the New Creation that will once again place God in control. As Jesus is still at work we too should work, not using anger and aggression but with the Christian virtues of love and acceptance, forgiveness and caring, seeking true justice for all. Since the God who loves and forgives is taking control, we who trust in Him should also love and forgive.
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NRSV
Prayer. Dominion and power, glory and honour belong to you Lord God, Almighty: Through your work alone is the whole creation being renewed. Under the leadership of your Son, You are creating a place of harmony and peace: a place where all can find fulfilment as they serve under your protective care. Jesus with eager eyes we look for your coming again amongst us and we pray that we will be ready to receive you as Lord and King. Grant us patience in our time of waiting and endurance as we face the trials and tribulations that are part of life. This we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Reading. John 18:33-37 John recalls the interview with Pilate prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. The theme of kingship is strong in John’s Gospel because for John the crucifixion is Jesus’ coronation. Pilate places an inscription on the cross probably with some irony. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”, but it is clear from the dialogue John recalls that Pilate does not understand how Jesus can be a king.
John reveals that the Kingdom of Jesus is not from this world for it is not of this world it is from another place all together. We recognise this each time we say the Lord’s Prayer; “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Thus the kingdom of Jesus is the kingdom that comes from God for it is God’s kingdom. It is not a renewal of the old kingdom but is of a different ethos all together. God’s kingdom is one built on love and grace, of forgiveness and acceptance. It is also a kingdom that will bring justice to everyone. The justice of the Jews always came from God and through God this justice gave rights to everyone, even to slaves. As such the kingdom that God determined to establish through the sacrifice of Jesus demanded obedience and discipline for as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer each prayer is agreeing to honour God’s will. By the time of Jesus this ideal of justice for every member of society had been largely ignored and legalism had taken its place. We see that often in the gospels as Jesus is criticized for healing on the Sabbath or releasing people from the bondage of illness or demonic possession. John’s message is clearly pointing to Jesus establishing a kingdom which honoured the truth that comes through obeying God. However obedience on our part is not possible without a renewal of our total life and it is this that leads to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Having come through death a whole new beginning is now possible and a new kingdom, God’s Kingdom can be established. As we celebrate Christ the King Sunday we focus on the new beginning that Jesus has accomplished, a beginning that will eventually bring about the whole of creation coming under God’s authority.
Both our readings for this week centre on the establishment of God’s Kingdom; a kingdom under the lordship of Jesus which will bring peace and justice to everyone. It is a message which allows us to look into the future with a great deal of hope and expectation.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God. Romans 8:18–19 NRSV.
Prayer. Holy God, you are King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, We pray that your Kingdom will come and reign here on earth. Lord, hasten the day when your Kingdom will bring justice, righteousness, and peace fulfilling the hope of every believer. May you rule in our hearts, as your kingdom draws close and covers all of creation. Forgive us for those times when we have lived in opposition to your rule, following plans of our own imagination. Give to us the grace to follow Jesus as our King and through his power help us to live as kingdom people. This we ask through Jesus, Lord and Saviour. Amen
Collect. Jesus, you are a king like no other, confronting the powers that be, and speaking the truth all need to hear. May your Church hear the truth, that we may witness to your justice before the nations now and for ever. Amen.
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