November 24, 2013: Christ the King Sunday

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23: 33-43

First Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Challenges:

I'm thinking of starting a "perennial Challenge" page for this blog, because the same subjects come up again and again.  Two of the usual ones are found here: when it comes to "destroying shepherds" we are almost always going to see them as people we already disagree with today.  The other perennial challenge is the fact that for this passage to make sense, you'd need to describe the socio-political situation of the late Iron Age Middle East succinctly and interestingly.  Have fun.


Opportunities:

Much like The Rolling Stones had "Sympathy for the Devil" I have a bit of sympathy for the kings of Israel and Judah: it certainly would not have been easy negotiating international politics when you are a tiny nation in the middle of a bunch of gigantic empires.  If I had been a King, I'd have been tempted to say to a prophet, "Okay, you take my spot and make the decisions...see how it goes!"

Instead of listing all of the "destroying shepherds" out there (or from the past) this could be a great chance to "come clean" and talk about how none of us match up: none of us will be the perfect shepherd, no matter how hard we try. Instead bending ourselves out of shape while pretending we are perfect, why not just admit that we need "a Righteous Branch" who will reign as king.

Also, this is a great chance to talk about what makes a "good king."  Military might? Justice? Wisdom?  All of the above?  (In fairness, we shouldn't throughout military might automatically...if you're living in 9th century England and the Vikings start pillaging, you want a king who can protect you).  What kind of king is Jesus?

 

The Good News:

God is going to set things right, wait with faith.

 

Psalm: Psalm 46

Challenges:

We have more "perennial" challenges here: the psalmist is making some pretty big claims.  If these words are said in a self-assured, gloating, smug sort of way they will ring false.  But if they are said with a daring hope, they can be a powerful statement of faith.  So, as with most things, don't be smug. 

Opportunities:

 

Without being trite about it, you could turn to stories from the Philippines after it's storms and how people have turned to the church as a place and people of comfort and hope.  See: http://www.npr.org/2013/11/18/245880864/catholics-in-philippines-turn-to-church-to-cope-with-typhoon

Likewise, there were serious storms in the Midwestern U.S. this last weekend: it could be useful to talk about how this psalm could bring hope if we are in a situation like that.  I am sure that faith in God made a great difference for people in these storms as well.

 

The Good News:

 

This is one of those psalms where the good news is spelled out in front of you.  God is going to win.  God breaks bows and shatters spears.  Even though present evidence seems to suggest otherwise, we do not need to fear.  That's powerful.

Second Lesson: Colossians 1:11-20

 

Challenges:

Verse 15 says "he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation..." This is wonderful, but there is far from universal agreement on Jesus' "image." Was a he a peace-lovin' hippie? A bearded body-builder? A "zealot for God"? We don't know what he looked like, but there are plenty of people who will tell you their opinion.  So when it comes to the "image of God," be aware that everyone will have their own image in their heads...

Opportunities:

There is great power in the idea that God has made peace us, reconciled himself to us through 'the blood of his cross.' The bible has evidence of many different images of atonement, but there is always the idea that through the Cross, we become connected to God and God becomes connected to us.  Don't let anyone tell you there is just one atonement theory (whether they are conservative or liberal), but there is great joy in the connection with God that comes from what Christ did for us.

The author here goes on and on about the "amazing-ness" of Christ. There are times when I am inspired by the ways someone will express their love for someone else (a spouse, a child, or a friend).  If I put myself in that mindset it can make a huge difference in reading this text and quite inspire me.

The Good News:

There have been times in my life where I have been reconciled or reunited to people and it brings a great deal of joy and peace.  If I take that experience and multiply it by, oh I don't know, 15 million times or so, and it gives me a sense of the "amazing-ness" of what Christ did for us on the Cross.  It makes me want to "go off" on the beauty of it all, like the author of Colossians does.

Gospel: Luke 23:33-43

 

Challenges:

 

Because this is read outside of the longer, fuller Passion Narrative, this reading can lose a little bit of its pathos.  It pops up in the middle of worship with so many other things going on and it might just drift over and past us that Jesus, our friend, teacher, master and Lord is BEING KILLED.  The inscription that says "This is the King of Jews" is certainly not a form of praise: it's a scornful mocking of both Jesus and the Jews.  The Romans are saying: this is the treatment that Jewish kings get at the hands of Rome.  All of this can just pass us by because there are so many other things going on in worship today.

 

Opportunities:

Quite often it seems like the world we humans have created and perpetuate is "keeping score." According to our scoring system, Christ lost and lost badly. According to God's scoring system, Christ triumphed and brought reconciliation. Maybe this could be a great opportunity to reevaluate the "scoring system" in our own lives.
 

 

The Good News:

Bullying is a hot topic these days. When it comes to world history, the Romans get high marks for being some of the most savage bullies out there. Jesus receives the full force of this bullying: physical pain, mockery and the indignity of having his clothing taken away. Christ's crucifixion, and the establishment of empire, is bullying on a grand scale. The fact that Christ truly becomes our king, that he his "lifted up" (as John puts it), through suffering, rather than despite suffering, is a powerful message to those who have also suffered.