Christ the King, Readings: Luke 1:68-79 & Colossians 1:11-20

Year C : 24 November 2019          

There are many things in the word that compete for our commitment.  Each – be it a political affiliation, a job, a hobby, or even a nationality – desires for us to recognise its power above all others.  It takes intentionality to live a life which is committed to God and God’s ways of peace, justice, mercy and love, above all else. 

Even amid the competing allegiances, the scriptures today remind us that God’s reign has been, is, and will continue to be present. 

Yes, this is something that in one sense has not been completely fulfilled as yet as we are still living in a time where there is pain, sorrow, suffering and hardship for many.  Yet in another way it has … for through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus God’s reign has been present for all to see.

Further, committing ourselves to recognition of God’s reign, is one way to which we can genuinely commit our lives to working with God to birth and bring new life into the world.  And who doesn’t desire fullness of life?

Both the readings that we heard today are songs.  Now I could have asked Graham and Wendy to sing the readings, but thought that was a little unfair, so I didn’t.

In the gospel reading from Luke, we hear Zechariah singing of God’s promises to the nation of Israel and also to his own Son, the one who will become John the baptizer.  Zechariah’s song is often referred to as the “Benedictus”, which is the first word of the Latin translation of this section of scripture.  Benedictus translates as blessed, and Christians have used it as a hymn beginning since the fourth century in both Eastern and Western liturgies.

I am sure not sure whether Tiffany’s dad Aaron sang when she was born, but I’m sure that he rejoiced, as did Michelle and the rest of the family, for a precious child had been born.   Zechariah was a Jewish priest, of the line of Aaron, and he sang this hymn of praise and thanksgiving on the occasion of the circumcision and naming of his son John, the one who would become known as the Baptiser. 

You might remember that Zechariah had been without his voice since the angel Gabriel had visited him to announce his impending parenthood.  Now, full-voiced, Zechariah sings of the themes that we have heard again and again this year as we have concentrated on Luke’s gospel.  These themes include God’s faithfulness, God’s way of peace, and God’s salvation for the people. 

Remembering that Luke’s gospel was first heard by people who were under the oppression of the Roman Empire, a particularly brutal and power-hungry regime, we hear in this song, the humble beginnings of two people who will live in God’s way and not the Empires.

Jesus the Christ, is named as the one who God has raised up as “a mighty saviour” (1:69), and John the Baptiser is named as “the prophet of the most high, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways”. I wonder what Tiffany might do in the fullness of life that is ahead of her.

The lives of John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ both witnessed to people in their time, and also today, a way that is much more powerful than violence and more life-giving than anything else that demands our attention and commitment.

The passage from Colossians sings another song of God’s authority. The first few verses of the passage speak about how we “share the inheritance of the saints in the light” (1:12), because we have been “rescued from the powers of darkness” (1:13), and how we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (1:14).  Many scholars believe that these verses constitute a fragment of a baptismal hymn, and you can see why.

There is no debate among scholars that verses 15 to 20 are an early Christian hymn; a hymn which proclaims the melody of God’s ways of wisdom and peace which are embodied in Jesus.  Jesus’ relationship to creation is based on the Jewish figure of wisdom/Sophia; with Christ portrayed as not just the leader of resistance to the Empire’s ways, but as the very wisdom that created and holds together the universe.  Jesus is the perfect, visible manifestation of God who has priority and supremacy.

Christ’s authority is not given by humans, but by God.  Everything is done for him and in him.  He is truly Christ the King, and his rule and kingdom run counter to the culture of Caesar and the Roman Empire. 

Caesar’s rule, and his power, were earthly, violent and a severe threat.  It is this power that sees Jesus tortured and executed in a way that is meant to degrade. 

Jesus is marched through the streets, mocked as powerless, and his claims to authority are laughed at.  Yet each time we hear Jesus speak through the crucifixion narrative, all we hear from his lips are themes of mercy and forgiveness.

The Roman Empire might have sought peace through the use of force, but it is evident in Christ that God’s peace comes through forgiveness and hope.  Jesus life attests to this, and his authority is bound up in the way of of reconciliation and peace, which came through his self-sacrifice, life of service and love.

Sometimes we are called to make a pledge.  I remember when I worked in America we had the “Pledge of Allegiance” every morning.  On this Christ the King Sunday, let us make a pledge in our hearts, a pledge that is not to a nation or a thing, but rather a pledge to the way of forgiveness, love and hope. 

May we commit ourselves to lives lived in grace and understanding.  May we be committed to peace for all.

Holy God, you are the Healer of our hearts, the Shepherd of our souls, the Source of our lives, and the eternal Rhythm of creation.  May we live as your beloved children, in the grace and love of your reign which gives truly abundant life, something to which we should all aspire.

Amen.

Rev Heather Hon – November 2019