"What Kind of King Is Jesus?"

A sermon preached on Christ the King Sunday, November 25 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Jeremiah 23:1-6.

Leonard Sweet tells of his experience in a Homiletics class while in seminary. He said that there was a sense of anxiety as he and his fellow students gathered in class toward the end of the semester and the professor announced that there would be a final exam. Leonard Sweet said that everyone was asking; "How can you have a final exam in preaching? How can one prepare? What sort of questions might be asked?" Throughout the semester there had been many lectures on sermon preparation and styles of preaching, but mostly it had been a course of practice and critique. Finally, the professor walked into the classroom and a silence fell upon the students. Without saying a word, he distributed Bibles to each of the students and then said; "Class, you may use your Bibles for this exam. You have three hours to complete it. There is just one question and it has three parts. Here it is: You have one last sermon to preach in your ministry. It’s your last best shot. Choose your text and theme, explain why you have chosen them, and give a full, detailed outline for the development of that sermon." Leonard Sweet said that, that exam left a lasting mark upon his life and ministry as a preacher. Today brings us that one last shot in the church year. Today is the last Sunday of the Church Year. Next Sunday we begin the Season of Advent – along with a new Church Year! Today is Christ the King Sunday.
From the beginning of the church’s year, we have been hearing about the king who was coming, the anointed one of God who would save his people. Astrologers from the east came inquiring of Herod; "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" When called as a disciple, Nathanael answered almost prophetically, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel." At one point in Jesus’ ministry, the people responded so enthusiastically that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king. When Jesus rides into Jerusalem, he purposefully fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah: "Lo, your king comes to you, humble and riding upon a donkey," and the people greeted him with the shout; "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord."
It was "Kingship" which was the center around which the charges against Jesus were brought to Pilate. "Are you the king of the Jews?" Pilate asks. Hours later, Pilate gives his own sarcastic affirmation in the legally required statement of charges placed on the cross: "This is the King of the Jews."
During the Easter season we celebrate the good news of the resurrection - Christ's victory over death and the powers of evil. Throughout the Pentecost season we have studied the kingdom of God and what it means to live in that kingdom.
And so, suddenly, the professor’s question is our question. To what lesson do we turn? What theme do we select to put together into one proclamation and celebration all that we have heard and seen about Christ? I think our Scripture Lessons do a great job of doing just that – of summing up the message of Christ.
What do you think of when you hear the word "king"? Perhaps, it can be difficult for us, as Americans, to form a lot of thoughts or emotions when it comes to this word because we have never lived under the rule of a king or queen. So our experience is somewhat limited. However, when it comes to hearing the word "king" some of us might think of Disney characters or fairytales. Others might think of the British royals. In our day, these kings and queens, princes and princesses serve largely as figureheads rather than as actual rulers with any real power.
However, the people of Israel had a clear idea of what they expected in a king. Early in their history, God was King of Israel. At first, the patriarchs - Abraham through Moses had led Israel. After the people became too numerous to be led by one person, judges were appointed to lead the people. But these judges were often unfaithful to God, and the people asked for a king. Even though God warned them against rejecting God’s kingship in favor of an earthly king, the people insisted. They wanted a visible political ruler who would provide military protection, and help Israel look like other nations. But just as God had predicted, the kings soon ceased to follow God and eventually other countries defeated both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Israel ceased to exist as a nation and, once again, the people found themselves oppressed and occupied.
By the time of Jesus, many faithful Jews were tired of the oppression and occupation of the Romans. They were anxious for a messiah who would once again be a political ruler who would re-establish Israel as a nation and free the people from the domination of others. Once again, they were clear about the kind of king they wanted. They may have recalled the words of Jeremiah 23:5; "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."
The Israelites who were looking for this kind of king found themselves sorely disappointed. In the gospel reading for today, we have the story of Jesus’ trial. Instead of Jesus wearing a royal robe, we find the soldiers stripping him and casting lots for his clothing. They mocked him by saying; "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." One of the criminals beside him joined in, saying; "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" What kind of king was Jesus?
Obviously, Jesus did not intend to be a political leader. So what can we expect of Christ the King? I think Paul does a great job with answering that question.
Paul helps us to gain a much more comprehensive picture of kingship. Through Paul’s words we see a king who has power and dominion far beyond the earthly realm. We see Christ, co-equal and co-eternal with God, as Creator of the universe. We see Christ as redeemer of humanity and the head of his body - the Church. Yet we also see a king who lived his earthly life in humble service, one who came not to impress the rich and powerful but one who came to heal, to restore, and to redeem; one who was willing to give his very life.
It seems, then, that only one question remains: What can Christ the King expect from us?