Grace and peace to you from our Almighty and ever-living God, our LORD and King Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

What would it be like to be a King, or even THE KING?

Today we observe and celebrate Christ the King.

Jesus is our King, we belong to Jesus.

All of our readings for today give us a glimpse, a revelation into Kingship and Kingdom.

Daniel describes a scene of power and glory, “As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames and its wheels were burning fire.”

That description fits well with what we are taught and how I think many of us see the heavenly throne of God.

As the Ancient One, God, presents his son, the one, like a human being, coming with the clouds of heaven, given dominion, glory and kingship.

Jesus' kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

The imagery continues in the psalm, “The Lord is King, robed in majesty, and armed with strength, forever and for evermore.”

We are heirs to the King, by Jesus, “who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom.”

Standing before God we are also beloved, we belong to Jesus, the lamb of God.

Jesus stands for us all in front of Pilate, just like Jesus stands for us in front of the world.

Power, might, everlasting reign!

This power takes on a completely different meaning when it becomes the power of the lamb against the power of the ram.

I have had a life changing experience that has been helpful in understanding what power and might means to me.

About ten years ago I was the Chief of the paid-on-call fire department I belonged to.

With the promise of some very motivated officers who would serve the department with me.

Our department had never had a full-time chief and with the help of the City Administrator we created a position that was new to the city.

My position came with a new sense of power and responsibility.

I was now part of the political structure of the City, as an appointed position I had to answer to the council. 

In an effort to learn and solidify the position I put a lot of trust into the few people who promised to help me and stand by my side.

With the excitement of a new job and job security I was a bit blind to the motivations of those who I thought were on my side.

My skills as an administrator and public speaker put me in a good place, where I needed experience in command and fire ground tactics.

The agreement with my Assistant Chief and Captains was their tactical knowledge with my administration to lead the department.

This agreement was tested from the beginning.

I learned very quickly that the power they wanted rested in me, their response was manipulation and insubordination.

When difficult decisions needed to be made I would have to answer for them.

At times it felt like I was living in a different world when having a discussion with the city administrator I would be asked to explain why the Assistant Chief had been in there yelling and screaming at him.

Things were being said and done without my knowledge, I couldn’t defend myself when people simply didn’t want to understand or play by the rules.

I took a lot of pride in having an open office with clear communication.

My leadership was turning into a power struggle.

The people I trusted my life with on the fire scene now couldn’t be trusted in the office.  

They wanted to be in charge without having any accountability, to manipulate me and sell out to intimidation.

My shock was learning that their threats and intimidation were real.

All of this came to a head when I simply had had enough of the backstabbing and name calling.

I was caught in a triangle; listening to my officers complaining about the city and the city administrator complaining to me about my officers.

One afternoon while everyone was in the City Hall I told my officers that I didn’t agree with their observations and we were going to walk over and talk with the city.

I was embarrassed that my two closest allies were suddenly enraged and shouting insults.

Power doesn’t come without consequences.

After what seemed like an eternity they stormed out of his office leaving me there alone.

I looked at the upset face of the City Administrator and said, “This is what I was talking about.”

No longer was it a matter of who said what behind someones back it was now in the open for all to see and hear.

Leadership for some is a toy, to manipulate, to lie, and to shame.

I learned the hard way that Lamb Power butts heads with Ram Power.

Jesus as the Lamb of God runs smack into authority, Roman authority and the Jewish authority.

What is his response?

Anger?  Harsh words?  Lies?  Blaming?  Ignorance?

No, a question, a question that goes to the heart of the person.

“Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Pilate is just a puppet, a pawn to be manipulated, a sell out.

Essentially Jesus is taking over the narrative, not to be bought or sold.

Pilate wants nothing to do with Jesus, he only wants to stay in power.

Distancing himself, Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I?”

Further trying to pass blame, “Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, who comes to testify to the truth, whose truth is love.

Pilate and the Jewish authorities sadly ask, “What have you done?”

“What have you done?”

Have you ever been asked that question?

How did you answer, I hope with the truth.

I had to learn a hard truth that day in the city administrator's office.

I did not want to be the fire chief, what had sounded so promising was a disaster.

My truth was feeling the effects of power that came with a Gold badge and a title.  I was a very good captain and I asked to be demoted to my previous position.

I simply wouldn’t lead with Ram power, I do much better treating people as I want to be treated, not how I am told or see what happens when you’re a jerk.

The city council regretfully accepted my resignation as chief and gave me my captain position back.

I learned first hand what it’s like to work with bullies.

We went back to the “Good Old Days.” 

And I don’t say that with affection, as the taunts and behavior was not leadership but bullying.

Eventually all of this caught up with them, one received disciplinary action and demotion, another simply created chaos at every chance, and shockingly the one who I thought was my greatest supporter was arrested and then fired for perceived threats against the city.

The question to Jesus echos in my ear, “What did you do?”

Jesus is both in place and out of place at the same time.

Trying to get us to understand, “My kingdom is not from this world”.

What I have done is to love and be an example of love.

This love is from beginning to end, the alpha and omega.

Love is exercised as the archetypical Hebrew king as a shepherd.

We belong to Christ and Christ belongs to us in a loving embrace.

Does Christ’s invitation to follow come out of fear or love?

When we believe that Jesus is the truth and the life, our faith develops a path of righteousness.

Right relationship with Jesus as Lord, King of Kings.

A relationship built on loving the neighbor through non-violence and servanthood.

Do you follow Jesus first or do you answer to the world?

Jesus invites us to follow him into the kingdom, to a place of joy and peace.

Only Jesus, who always was and always will be, guarantees life.

“I am the truth, the light and the life.”

Faith that truth is greater than lies.

The truth of Christ the King is the power of the lamb of God.

Power to be who you are, asked to follow, a promised place in a kingdom of love, not a world of hate and lies.

Power to love that never dies.  AMEN