"A ROYAL LINEAGE"

 

      This morning we celebrate Christ the King Sunday with our brothers and sisters around the world.  Our reading from II Samuel speaks directly to the royal inheritance that Christ offers to all of us through his own family, the Family of God.  We all are familiar with the succession of kings that is present in Christ's lineage.  We know this succession from the genealogy at the beginning of Matthew and, indeed, will begin the royal celebration of Advent and Christ's coming with God's Kingdom in just one week.  We are embraced by this kingly succession after giving thanks to God for all of the abundance that we receive this past Thursday.

      Yet this morning we look again at the impending arrival of whom true royalty really is.  The reading from Samuel depicts God's favorite king; David.  David finds himself in the last days of his reign, yet he knows what God plans; for God is open in His communication of love for the "House of David."  David has made God's house his own; God's Kingdom is found enmeshed with the kingdom that David has reigned over and the true royalty that leads the chosen kingdom of Israel.  David's last words speak about how God has exalted him and that God has used him to establish his power on earth.  In fact, we see another picture here; this royal lineage that God has established.  An additional prophet, another King will follow many centuries hence and pronounce the coming Kingdom of God on earth over which he shall reign.  David speaks what God pours into him and we heed David's words.  'The Word will become flesh' and, truly, this personification will speak of the kingdom of God and will be 'the apple of God's eye' just as David was.  David talks about God's words being totally in consonance with God's Creative work; and speaks of the grass, the clouds, the sun's rising.  We are drawn as David outlines the abundance of God's Creation to consecrate His kingdom on earth.  David has seen and received God's abundance in covenant, just as another King from God will embody God's covenant.   Now,,, we as humankind throw the word 'dynasty' around quite a bit today usually in reference to a team, possibly our team, whenever they win consistently for a year or maybe two.  This is suddenly a dynasty to be celebrated?  Or what about those of us that follow the royal family in England, or Thailand, or any other land?  Yet David and our gospel reading this morning show the true royal promise of an eternal dynasty; a kingdom for infinity.  And the godless; well they will receive a "consuming fire 'on the spot."  There is great mystery in God, yet not here.  Herein God remains very explicit.  Those that don't embrace the kingly succession ending with Christ, Immanuel, will be consumed by an empty, earthly kingdom of terrible fire and pain.  The king of the World is coming; the Light of the World is near, don't get burned. 

      We see God's affirmation for us in the consistency of Scripture from our Old Testament passage and the Gospel of John.  We find Pontius Pilate asking a truthful question of Christ's identity in our New Testament reading this morning.  David knew God's identity, yet Pilate's question is truthful when we consider from whence Christ had come to him.  The same priests' that celebrated God's kingdom earlier with David ask a mocking question of Christ later, "Are you King of the Jews?"  At least Pilate was really seeking an answer to assist himself with establishing the identity of this itinerant preacher from Nazareth.  While one group hides within this question, another seeks to find a royal truth.  And while Christ's chosen self defense was one of silence in the face of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin; he speaks freely to this gentile ruler, "My kingdom is not of this world; if so my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews."  Wow, yet before we condemn the temple leaders so smugly, think of people you have know that held some temporary position.  Did they get used to it?  Remember, when the Messiah finally arrives; the priests' were aware that he would be in charge.  Have you ever known of someone filling a position who gets comfortable with the benefits and the perks?  Have you seen them turning over the reins without one qualm?  "No regrets, our true CEO has arrived, make way for the new king?"  And Pilate asks, "So you are a king?"  Christ tells him that he came into the world to testify to the truth and any who belongs to the Truth, listens to His voice."  Now listen to what a Roman ruler, a person that wields and seeks additional power and is always looking for an advantage, says.  Pilate tells the priests' and the crowd that he finds no case against him."  In his first meeting and interview with Jesus Christ, this procurator of the most powerful kingdom on earth says he finds no legal, political, threatening case against the accused.  The Truth shall set you free, rings in our ears.  Yet it doesn't happen here.  And Pilate's eternal reply rings today in our ears, "What is Truth?...."  What is Truth?  What is the true Kingdom on earth and in Heaven?  We know, but are we enjoying the 'perks' too much to relinquish control; to hand over the power. 

      Jack Nicholson in a "Few Good Men" sums up our dilemma very well as he is questioned at another legal tribunal.  ''You want the truth, you can't handle the truth."  It compares well with our historical scenario this morning, doesn't it?  In this movie, Nicholson portrays a Marine general trying to cover up a murder within his command.  What were the Pharisees trying to cover up?  What was the Roman Procurator wrestling with under cover?  What is Truth?  Would they have recognized it then?  Do we seek it consistently today?  Or are we still struggling to keep that one bit of control at the cost of denying ourselves the full truth of God's royal bequeathing of the Gospel?  There are dozens of definitions in the various Biblical languages that we refer too for guidance.  The Greek word for truth is 'alethinos' and it holds two additional meanings that are relevant here.  The first is faith.  What is our true faith?  This opens new vista's for our thinking doesn't it.  Jesus Christ is faith.  God in Christ, is faithful to us without exception.  I think we can 'handle' that one, Jack.  The second meaning that is pertinent for us is that Truth is the 'will of God.'  Let that sink in for a minute.  What is the Will of God?  Jesus Christ said he was the Way, the Will of God, and the Life.  Can we handle that, Jack?  Will we handle it?  No more questions, Jesus Christ is the true King of any realm that we can imagine including our lives.  When we unwrap it, doesn't it seem fairly clear;.. VERY clear. 

      We continue to see the consistency of the royal lineage of Truth in the Gospel as seen by John in the book of Revelations, the first Chapter.  Verse five speaks this same truth, "From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."  Christ's identity as the true King is evident.  And, God reveals it John over again as he shares it with us these many years later.  One Study Bible talks about these three titles of Jesus corresponding to the threefold title for God, the Triune God.  First, Christ the faithful witness reveals the faithful proclamation of the message of God.  Now we see 'through a mirror dimly,' the identity of Christ.  Revelations displays it in Truth.  Second, Christ the firstborn of the dead, rings with the victory signaled by his resurrection.  Truth returns to life in the glory of God and Truth brings us with him.  Third, Christ the ruler of the kings of the earth; it continues in glory revealing his future role as universal sovereign.  The affirmation of this royal king's coronation of truth continues in verse six, "To him who frees us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom of priests serving his God and Father."  In service to Christ, we are granted a royal ministry.  Christ further affirms our servanthood to his royal Kingdom saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  This gospel of the Trinity trumpets our salvation in Jesus Christ, the once and King Forever.             

      Jesus Christ is the King of your life, and mine.  And anyone that seeks the royal Truth shall find it, and, yes; if we can handle it; it Will set us free!