As you may know, this upcoming Sunday is “Christ the King Sunday” in Episcopal churches. Hooray.
But just remember what this means, especially in light of our politically heated atmosphere: Christ is not an American. He’s not a Republican, a Democrat, a Tea Partyer or even a socialist. Christ is King. That’s it. And we hear all the time about United States of America being a Christian nation. As a Christian, I find this theologically repulsive. Jesus Christ is King of all creation, not a President, a Supreme Court Justice, or even a Senator of this particular country. Jesus Christ is King.
And whereas we envision kings as powerful monarchs sitting on thrones and making royal decrees, Jesus Christ was coronated on a cross. His crown was of thorns. The crowds that met this new king were mocking, not cheering him. Christ did not summon massive royal legions or clutch a scepter – his friends abandoned him as he was being executed.
Christ is King. A powerless, emptied, fragment of a man hanging on a cross. That is my king.
the rev. jimmy abbott 