Reign of Christ
page detail from 1 Corinthians, 1611 KJV Bible (Replica Edition) photo by jch
Sermon Series “Through the Bible,” № 68, Selections from 1 Corinthians 13
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
As we complete the week of national thanksgiving, somewhere in the background of our celebrations we hear news of violence and war. The war in Gaza has a prominent place in the current reporting cycle. In our metropolitan area, there have been groups protesting against the violence by Hamas, and groups protesting against the military response by Israel. Each side can show videos of heartbreaking scenes of bloodshed. This weekend, many pray that a fragile ceasefire holds long enough for the release of more prisoners. Calls for compassion and mercy meet concerns for safety and security, and we’ve heard passionate debate about what to do. When it comes to determining the best course, who really holds the power to change things?
Such a question is at the heart of our annual celebration of “Reign of Christ” Sunday, which we used to call “Christ the King.”
When this Sunday arrives in the annual cycle of church events, some mixed feelings rise up in me. They are the same sort of feelings I experienced during our summer travel adventures. Therese and I toured Westminster Abbey exactly 90 days after the coronation of King Charles III, and spent a couple hours in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. Three days later, we were at the palace of Augustus the Strong, who, 200 years ago, was the King of Saxony in Dresden, Germany. And just four days after that, we visited Schloss Charlottenburg, the Berlin palace of King Friedrich I of Prussia, contemporary of Augustus. Like many tourists, Therese and I anticipated our visits to these places, enjoyed learning the history associated with them, and appreciated the architecture and art on display. But, every now and then, I paused to consider how much wealth was concentrated in the hands of a monarch. I thought how much time, talent, and treasure was devoted to reinforcing the power and prestige of one individual, when they might have been used to raise the living standards of countless common people. And I thought how glad I am that I’m not the subject of an earthly monarch. I like a government with some checks and balances that helps ensure you and I never will be subject to the arbitrary whims of an autocratic ruler.
The text from John’s gospel presents us with a different picture of a king that has nothing to do with imposing buildings filled with lavish treasures. We remember this counter-cultural perspective on Good Friday or Christmas Eve, but may neglect it at other times. The reading from John’s gospel, in its larger context, contrasts Pilate’s kingdom to the power of a person from a humble background with stunning abilities to preach, teach, and heal. Some are calling him “King of the Jews,” a title that poses a threat to Pilate and his Roman superiors. He is murdered, but his death leads to a time when many people accept his authority and experience his power to change the world.
Today’s reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians addresses people in a different time and place. They are facing conflicts of authority and power that threaten to tear their community apart. After quite a bit of time spent pleading and educating, Paul’s writing takes a turn from organizational theory to poetry. “And I will show you a still more excellent way,” he writes. At which point he launches into what some have called the Christian “Hymn of Love.”
What Paul has in mind is something different than what the typical bride and groom have in mind when these words are printed in wedding programs. It’s not the beauty and coziness of a Hallmark channel wedding, but the ugliness of human conflict. Paul is making a case that when worldviews collide, true authority and power have something to do with love. When all conflict is over and long forgotten, “ … now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
As I was thinking about Christ the King, and going through worship notes on my desk, I read again an article that I printed earlier this year. You may remember the story about Shayden Walker, a special-needs student in Texas, 11-years old, subject to frequent bullying.[1] Shayden was feeling so down that he walked through his neighborhood, knocking on doors, and asking for friends.
Some of the people with whom he interacted launched a campaign called “Spreading kindness for Shayden.” Since then, Shayden’s family has experienced the joy of people reaching out in friendship, shining a light on the problem of bullying, raising money not only for his needs, but also for the needs of others. Sometimes, it looks like the bullies of the world have all the power. But the thousands of people who responded to Shayden’s plight remind us that love has authority, and those who act in love have power.
I know that the horror of violence we see in the daily news can’t be completely countered by one story of kindness. It’s true that as long as there is sin in the world, the forces of good need police who are armed, and a military with the best possible weapons. It’s also true that military strategy and weapons are not enough to end cycles of violence and revenge.
Healing words and compassionate actions are among the best weapons in the long struggle to transform the lives of hurting people. So in these fearful and anxious times, think twice about what you will say, and carefully consider the actions you will take. I share again the best words I’ve ever heard spoken about the theme of this day, and I offer them as advice to myself at least as much as I offer them as advice to you: Remember that Christ never will be the king of this world until Christ is King in you.
NOTES
[1] Jonathan Edwards, “An 11-year-old needed friends ‘really bad.’ 3,100 strangers stepped up,” The Washington Post, 14 Jul. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/14/bullied-texas-boy-knocks-door/ accessed 17 Nov. 2023.
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