Citizens of the Kingdom

carved crucifix, Rodel Church, Isle of Harris

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and it is usually known as Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday.  The scriptures designated for it provide the perfect context for understanding that his reign and rule are far different from what we usually mean when we talk about monarchs and leaders.  Here we find no despot who is bent on getting his way by hook or by crook; here we see no bully-boy who threatens with weapons of mass destruction; here we discover no tyrant who subdues with intimidation and ridicule.  Instead, here we encounter a beaten, bleeding prisoner whose brow is crowned with thorns.  Here we meet a leader whose ammunition is Love, whose missiles are tears, and whose Reign is peace, and his mission is to bring to us true life, true love, true happiness, and true holiness.  His kingdom is not of this world, yet it has far-reaching implications for how we ought to live in this world as we work and wait for his kingdom to come here on earth as in heaven.

In a sermon entitled "The Unity of the Divine Being," John Wesley addresses the issue of what it looks like to be citizens of this different king's realm and rule.  Those who call themselves subjects of King Jesus will be both happy and holy as they grow in love of God and neighbor --

It is in consequence of our knowing God loves us, that we love him, and love our neighbour as ourselves. Gratitude towards our Creator cannot but produce benevolence to our fellow creatures. The love of Christ constrains us, not only to be harmless, to do no ill to our neighbour, but to be useful, to be "zealous of good works;" "as we have time, to do good unto all men;" and to be patterns to all of true, genuine morality; of justice, mercy, and truth. This is religion, and this is happiness; the happiness for which we were made. 

This begins when we begin to know God, by the teaching of his own Spirit. As soon as the Father of spirits reveals his Son in our hearts, and the Son reveals his Father, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts; then, and not till then, we are happy. We are happy, first, in the consciousness of his favour, which indeed is better than life itself; next, in the constant communion with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; then, in all the heavenly tempers which he hath wrought in us by his Spirit; again, in the testimony of his Spirit, that all our works please him; and, lastly, in the testimony of our own spirits, that "in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world." Standing fast in this liberty from sin and sorrow, wherewith Christ hath made them free, real Christians "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks." And their happiness still increases as they "grow up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." 

And so, as we approach this Reign of Christ Sunday, I pray that we will indeed live into the liberty for which Christ has made us free by cultivating joy and gratitude and above all, love, in our hearts.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us be model citizens of Jesus' kingdom, now and forever!

Tiffany window in Trinity UMC chapel, Charleston, SC