Newsletter November 21st 2021 (Feast of Christ the King)

The Kingship of Jesus Christ

– Does Jesus demand our service and submission? Would he suppress our right to self-expression and all other rights? Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” His rule is far removed from a dictatorship. This noble prisoner, robed in purple and crowned with thorns as a mock king before this ruthless Roman judge, claims a  spiritual authority that has nothing to do with the power to compel by force. His  authority is the authority of truth. He is our king, with authentic authority, because he lives the truth and has the power to lead others to the truth — the truth that can save them to eternal life: “for this I was born and came into the world, to bear    witness to the truth. All who are on the side of truth listen to my voice” (John 18:37.)

– Christ lived by the truth and he died for it. His true followers continue to commit their lives and even risk their all for loyalty to him. In him the Son of the Eternal God, who reveals the Father of life and truth, millions find the inspiration for their lives, the truth which makes them free. His life and teaching give us the clearest kind of truth.

– The truth of Christ blends word and action, in perfect harmony. Truth was vitally important to him, who hated all sham and pretence. To get deeper in touch with the truth demands our attention and maybe some change in our lifestyle. It needs periods of quiet, even spending some time with him in personal prayer. Truth cannot really mark our lives without the inspiration which comes from Christ its source. It has to flow from prayer to life, and back into prayer again. A new commitment to the truth can give us a new vision of life. And far from oppressing us, Christ the King of truth will be the one to set us free.