Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 Revelation 1: 4b-8 John 18: 33-37
Today, on the feast of Christ the King, we reached the culmination of the Churches liturgical year. A day to pause and reflect on the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
This is not a kingship like any earthly ruler we know, it’s a kingship that turns the world's understanding of power and authority upside down.
What does it mean to call Jesus our King? For many, the word king conjures images of crowns, thrones, and displays of grandeur. Earthly kings often hold power through conquest, fear, and wealth.
But Jesus redefines kingship.
His throne was a cross, his crown made of thorns and his royal robe the scars he bore for our salvation.
Philippians chapter 2 verses 7-8 reminds of his humility: “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross”.
Here we see Jesus is both the King and a servant – a servant King. He willingly stepped down from the glory of heaven to walk among us, not to be served, but to serve. Unlike earthly rulers who often demand allegiance for their own benefit. Jesus’ authority is grounded in love, humility, and sacrifice.
How do we then follow such a king? Following Jesus means embracing his way of humility and service. He calls us not to wield power over others, but to lift them up. His Kingdom is one where the last are first, and the greatest among us are those who serve.
To follow this king, we must reject the values of a world that exalts pride, selfishness and dominance. Instead, we must take up our crosses daily, loving our enemies, forgiving as we have been forgiven, and seeking justice for the least among us.
This is no easy path. It demands courage, faith, and willingness to change our lives for His sake. But in changing, we find true life.
Though Jesus humbly served, let us not mistake his humility for weakness. Christ holds ultimate authority. Once again, we can read of this in Philippians, in chapter 2 verses 9-11 it declares: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father”.
This passage reminds us that Jesus’ kingship is not merely symbolic. He reigns with all the authority of heaven, seated at the right hand of God, victorious over sin and death. His resurrection is the ultimate triumph. Through him, we share that victory.
Even as we acknowledge His exalted position, we can see Christ’s authority is always exercised with love. He never forces allegiance but invites us into a relationship of trust and obedience.
This reminds me of a line from the Spider-Man movie. Where Spiderman, Peter Parker is told by his very wise uncle. That with great power comes great responsibility. We as Christians share in Jesus’ power but also the responsibility that power brings.
Jesus through his actions shows us this all of the time.
His power is shown most clearly in his willingness to lay it down for us.
Jesus perfectly balances his roles as king and servant. He reigns with All the majesty of God but remains accessible to each of us in our brokenness. He holds the universe together but kneels to wash his disciples’ feet. He commands Angel armies yet weeps at the tomb of his friend. This paradox- The King who serves - Challenges asks to do likewise.
To follow Jesus means to balance strength with humility, authority with service, and truth with grace. It means standing firm in the face of evil while extending compassion to those in need. It means, as Paul writes in Philippians 2:5, having “the same mindset as Jesus”.
As we end this liturgical year the feast of Christ the King invites us to recommit ourselves to the servant King. Let us acknowledge his authority, trust in his triumph, and follow him in the way of humble service.
In the coming Advent season, we will anticipate his return not as a helpless infant, but as the victorious King, who will establish his Kingdom in full.
Until then, let us reclaim with our lives that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.