The End is Near
For most Americans, it’s not quite “the holidays” yet. But on the Christian calendar, in our peculiar way of keeping spiritual time, this Sunday marks the end of the year. While we won’t drop a spangly ball from the rafters or fill up the sanctuary with confetti, we will acknowledge that over this year and every year, Jesus is Lord. This Sunday is known as “Christ the King” Sunday and offers us the crucial reminder that God’s Kingdom is not a democracy. And despite the fact that Jesus would not get that many votes, he is the One who rules and reigns.
We’ve just voted for governors, senators, sheriffs, and judges, but that’s not how Jesus came to be the King. He is the King because he is the Word that spoke all things into being at the beginning of space and time. He is the King of Love because he came from heaven to earth to walk among us in our darkness and brokenness. He is the King of suffering and the King of sacrifice in pouring himself out on the cross. He is the King of life through the resurrection. And he is the soon-and-coming King who will one day judge everything and everybody and turn all of creation right side up so that all things are made new! I can’t wait.
What’s keeping Jesus from flashing his kingly crown and flexing his kingly judgments immediately? It’s God’s precious gift of freedom to us, and God’s desire to see us exercise that sacred freedom to love him in return. The Bible says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus is the King of the universe. Yes.
Jesus is the King of planet earth. Yes.
Jesus is the King of me, too. Yes.
Jesus is the King of you. Yes!
Jesus’s crowning achievement is the freely given sacrifice of ourselves in response to his great love.
This Sunday’s worship service will end with a Scripture reading from the Book of Revelation, chapter 19. I’m really looking forward to simply reading aloud from this compelling vision of Who is coming for us and offer this to whet your appetite for the vision of the King in all his glory:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
Until this vision comes true, it’s only right for us to offer our loyalty, affection, love, and obedience to the one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Every Sunday is a great Sunday when the people of God do that. Looking forward to joining in with you,
– Pastor Gregg