"the King Who Overcomes Evil"

In Jesus Holy Name November 22, 2020

Text: Revelation 19:11, 15 Christ the King Sunday Redeemer

“The King Who Conquers Evil”

The Gospel of John records the words written above the cross on which Jesus died. It read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this sign…but the chief Priests protested to Pilate: “Do not write “the King of the Jews, but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered: “What I have written I have written.”

My guess is that when you and I think of the “Kingship” of Jesus our memories do not recall a nation with geographical boundaries but rather the massive choirs and orchestras that perform Handel’s Messiah, proclaiming Jesus “King of kings and Lord of Lords”.. and declares “He shall reign forever and ever!”

Today is the Last Sunday in the Church Year. It is known as Christ the King Sunday. From the beginning of the church year last December 2019, 2020 has been a very unusual year. We have been sheltering in. Worried about shortages, of toilet paper, shortages of food. Worried about the election results. Worried about whether Christmas will be canceled as is Thanksgiving. The question every church must answer is: “How can we stay safe and still worship our Lord and King as a community.”

At the beginning of each church year, the bible readings in the Avent Season tell us about the king who is coming, the anointed one of God who would save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) John the Baptist proclaimed: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” That of course would be answered by Jesus in His ministry, by His miracles, His death and resurrection.

During the coming Epiphany season of the church year we know that Astrologers from the east came inquiring of King Herod, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” King Herod was afraid. He did not know that this child born in Bethlehem was not to be a political king.

When Jesus and the disciples arrived in Jerusalem, He fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah: “Behold, Your Kings comes to you, humble and riding upon a donkey.” The people greet him: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” Many believed He would throw out the Romans. That was their hope. No. Jesus came to overthrow the powers of Satan who held people in the grip and fear of death and the coming Judgment of God over broken commandments?

When Jesus was on the cross the ridicule of the bystanders and the hope of the penitent thief are wrapped up in the truth or false hood of one’s belief in the Kingship of Jesus. “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself!” “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God.” The penitent thief simply offers a request. “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom….” Jesus answered with a promise: “today you will be with me in paradise.”

What a shock. The disciples were nowhere to be found, except for John. God’s anointed king is dying like a common criminal. To a casual observer on that early Friday afternoon, things were not going all that well for the “king”. How can one look at the cross and call it a throne? How can we see death, a cruel death as a statement of victory?

John Stott in his book “The Cross of Christ” writes: “How could any sane person worship as a god a dead man who had been condemned as a criminal and subjected to the most humiliating form of execution? This combination of death, crime and shame put him beyond the pale of respect, let alone worship.”

The fact, that the cross, became the symbol of Christianity and that Christians stubbornly refused, in spite of the ridicule, to discard it in favor of something less offensive… can have only one explanation. The cross was not his final destination…. There must be more to the story.

The Apostle Paul wrote: “We preached Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles…but to those who are called… Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” He rose from death and the grave.

God came to earth in the person of Jesus. We’ll soon celebrate his arrival, His birth in Bethlehem. Jesus came as a servant King, which is why he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in royal procession. He had told his disciples: “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28) His final command was for those who follow Him to love one another and be servants to one another.