Sermon: Who is your king? (Nov. 21, 2021)

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Christ the King B

November 21, 2021 

John 18:33-37

Stewardship Ingathering, Confirmation Day

INTRODUCTION

On this last Sunday of the church year, the week before Advent, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday – remembering with thanksgiving that Christ is the ruler of the universe and of our lives, more powerful than any earthly power. The texts for Christ the King present us with some strange, end-times imagery, looking forward to the time when Christ will return to sit on the throne and visibly rule over heaven and earth, even as they recall that Christ has always done this. It’s a day of tension, both ominous, and thrilling, and it prepares us to turn our attention to Advent, and the first coming of our Lord.

    I want to say a quick word about our Gospel reading in particular, because today we jump back from Mark into the Gospel of John. This short reading brings us to Good Friday, in the middle of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Through Pilate’s questioning, Jesus is resolute that he is exactly where he needs to be, doing what he needs to do. Their argument today is about whether or not Jesus is, in fact, a king, and what that kingship looks like. As with many things with Jesus, his kingship is not what the world might have thought or expected! Let’s listen and learn about what it means for Christ to be our King.

[READ] 

Grace to you and peace from the one is, and who was, and who is to come. Amen.

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Christ the King Sunday. Maybe it’s because I was confirmed on Christ the King Sunday. Maybe it’s because we always move from this day into Advent, my favorite season. Or maybe it’s because it gives us a reality check each year about where our loyalties lie, where we put our trust, and who – or what – we really view as the ruler of our lives.

It’s the last one that I’m thinking about today, as we witness five young people affirm their baptism, and we make our stewardship commitments for the coming year, and we think about celebrating Thanksgiving later this week. Because believe it or not, I think they are all related to the question of who or what rules us.

First, let’s think about what it means for Christ to be our king. Generally, the character of the leader or ruler affects the character of the organization, especially if it is a long tenure (you know, like, 2000 years or more!). So, if Christ is the ruler, then what might we imagine a kingdom under his reign would look like? Well, loving, for sure. Self-giving. Humble, vulnerable, seeking compassion over power. Generous. Not afraid to speak truth to the ruler powers of the world. Not afraid to live and even to be that truth even when it is contrary to the ways of the world. Sound right?

So how would you say we measure up, as citizens in Christ’s kingdom? Eh, we do all right, I think. Sometimes. But if we’re being honest here, I suspect there are a lot of other “rulers” in our lives: things, people or concepts in which we really put our trust, that drive our decisions, that influence our thoughts and actions. Sure, we do strive to live in God’s kingdom… but I’m afraid we often miss the mark.

Can you think of some examples of some of the other rulers we make in our lives? I think one ruler in our lives that tries to overtake our loyalty to Christ the King is our own self-image. I told our confirmation class that I was about their age when my friends all got cool, and I stayed nerdy, and suddenly, I found myself without a real friend group. It was the first time I remember being aware that I may have to change something about who I am if I want to “fit in” with my peer group. But it was certainly not the last time. All of us are ever aware of how people view us. We make our decisions based on how they will be perceived by others, or how the decision will serve us, or how it will affect our place in society. That’s not always bad – these are also important considerations in decision-making. But when our priority becomes being accepted by the world or by our particular community, following their standards, rather than doing what is God’s will (even if it is contrary to the ways of the world!), then we have ceased seeing Christ as our king. Instead, we see our own reputation and status as our ruling and driving force.

Another very common “king” or ruler in our earthly lives is… stuff and money. This is so important to Jesus that he talks about it more than anything else, other than the kingdom of God itself. Society tells us that money equals power, comfort, success, value, and goodness. And so, we work to get more and more, and hold on tight to what we have. And these assets promise us so much, it’s no wonder we come to depend upon them – we have convinced ourselves that they have something to say about who we are and how valuable we are! They become our king. Now, I doubt any of us would readily say we view money and possessions as our most sovereign, and yet, we sure act as if they are! 

That’s why the Church, this little glimpse of God’s kingdom, spends time each year talking about faithful stewardship. Each year we ask you to make a financial commitment, an estimate of giving for the year. Though having this from people does help us make a budget each year, that’s not the most important reason we do this. The most important part of stewardship season is that it is a chance for us to declare, “I am not ruled by my money. My king is Christ.” And so, we commit to giving up some of our financial assets as a way of releasing or even denying the false narrative society teaches that our worth as people is tied to our financial worth, or that our money can bring us power and comfort, or that with enough assets, we can be self-sufficient. We write down that commitment, not as a binding contract with the Church, but as an expressed commitment to God, to keep looking not to our money, but to Christ as our power, comfort, provider, and king. We look to Christ for our worth.

And that brings me to my last point, about where that worth really comes from. It comes from the very thing these five young people will affirm in just a moment: our baptism. Each of us, when we were baptized, was given all the worth we need, as we were claimed and named as beloved children of God. We were promised forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, and were assured of God’s abiding presence with us. We also offered some promises in return: to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, to care for others and the world God made, and to work for justice and peace. In short, to live like citizens of Christ’s kingdom, who view Christ as their sovereign and ruler. 

All of that happened in our baptism, and today, these five young people will stand before God and all of you and say, “Yes, I still stand by all that. I still want to try to live into life with Christ as my king. I still joyfully accept the identity I was given in my baptism, and the gifts of salvation and forgiveness. I am baptized, I am a child of God, and I am beloved!”

And as we witness this, all the rest of us have the chance to do the same – not standing up here in a white robe, but from your seats – remembering and giving thanks for all the gifts we received in our baptism and still receive today, and affirming the life they call us to. We all can commit once again to strive to live into the baptized life, living as if we do in fact view Christ as our ruler and leader, and making our choices accordingly even if they are counter to how the world would have us live. We all can commit once again to a life of generosity, releasing some of our dependance on our money and other assets, and depending instead on our good king to care for us. 

As we move from today’s celebration into preparing for Thanksgiving this week, we do indeed have much to be thankful for, not the least of which is a God who loves us and cares for us, who grants us the identity of “beloved child of God,” and who truly is a good and generous ruler over all the earth.

Let us pray… Christ our King, you are ruler over our hearts and our lives, even when we are swayed by other things. Help us to live into life as citizens of your kingdom, who are generous, loving, trusting, and grateful. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.