Christ the King – part one.

Sunday 29 November 2015 is the first of four Advent Sundays.  It means, amongst other things, that Christmas comes after only 6 more Sundays.

Between Pentecost and Advent we learn about the matters of the Kingdom of God. So before Advent starts we consider a few focused thoughts on “Christ the King”.

We know that the kings of Israel failed to live up to God’s standard. Yet the true believers continued to trust in the Messianic promise of a just and righteous king. This promise helps our understanding of Christ as king. Whereas no human being was ever completely able to fulfill the expectations of a king (or government) that ruled justly, for Christians “Christ the King” is the fulfillment of all the prophecies.

Christ does not and did not come as an earthly king.  He is not going to overthrow earthly rule. His kingdom is not one of swords and military, economic or corporate and organizational might.

His sovereign power comes from bearing the truth: The truth of salvation, the truth of love, righteousness, and eternal life that ultimately is the only power that is sustainable and lasts eternally.

John writes about our King in the Revelation Book: “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”   Rev 1: 5.

John proclaims that Jesus is the faithful witness of the salvation truth. “He is "the firstborn of the dead," meaning the first to rise from the dead and we will all follow. He also is the ruler of the rulers of the earth. He made us a kingdom of priests serving his God and Father in all circumstances.

Proclaiming that Christ alone is Lord and King is a counter-cultural choice to make. The unbelieving world will never accept his authority.

But neutrality is not a choice. We either serve the world or serve the truth that is Christ.

It is the only way to true living.