Each year, as the Solemnity of Christ the King comes around to conclude the Church Year, pointing towards Advent, I find myself wrestling with the name, “Christ the King.” Given the lowly birth of Jesus; given his “working class” origins; given his dignity and humility; given his God-forsaken, self-sacrificial death for us; and especially given the fact that he explicitly rejected being made a king and his attitude towards the title Messiah” (Christ), is it not odd that we in the Church now call Jesus a “King”? And even more for us in the United States of America, with our Founders’ emphasis on freedom and the equality of all under God, is it not a little jarring to call a man our “King”? The title “King” for Jesus is disturbing or empty for many of us, and that should be admitted. Unless one has just accepted the title without thinking about it, “King” does not seem suitably to describe Jesus of Nazareth.
What is the truth that is rather poorly presented in the phrase, “Christ the King?” What Christian experiences are being expressed in the phrase? Or what beliefs about Jesus are being summarized?
First, a disciple of Jesus believes that Christ is indeed “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that as such, He is the true ruler of human hearts. Hence, he could be called “the king of hearts,” for by love he rules over human beings. In this sense, to say, “Jesus is my king” means “I obey Christ as my true master, my ruler, my guide to God.”
Second, Christians believe that Jesus deserves full respect and obedience from every human being, for he died for each and for all, “to bring us to God.” In his utter humility and self-giving love, Jesus is far more truly the rightful ruler or “king” of humankind than any political leader--king, president, prime minister--could ever be.
Third, the title “Christ the King” is equivalent to saying, “Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.” Again, the experience underneath the words is a strong sense and conviction that through faithful obedience to Jesus and his Gospel, a person is gradually becoming fully one with the mystery that we call “God.” In this sense, Christ is God’s agent to bring human beings to full union with the Creator of all that exists.
In sum, let us suggest a few different phrases to communicate these and similar meanings: “Christ the Bridge between God and man,” “Jesus Christ the way to life eternal,” “Jesus the LORD of love,” “Christ our faithful guide home.” Far more and better than being “a king,” I would say.
What is the truth that is rather poorly presented in the phrase, “Christ the King?” What Christian experiences are being expressed in the phrase? Or what beliefs about Jesus are being summarized?
First, a disciple of Jesus believes that Christ is indeed “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that as such, He is the true ruler of human hearts. Hence, he could be called “the king of hearts,” for by love he rules over human beings. In this sense, to say, “Jesus is my king” means “I obey Christ as my true master, my ruler, my guide to God.”
Second, Christians believe that Jesus deserves full respect and obedience from every human being, for he died for each and for all, “to bring us to God.” In his utter humility and self-giving love, Jesus is far more truly the rightful ruler or “king” of humankind than any political leader--king, president, prime minister--could ever be.
Third, the title “Christ the King” is equivalent to saying, “Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.” Again, the experience underneath the words is a strong sense and conviction that through faithful obedience to Jesus and his Gospel, a person is gradually becoming fully one with the mystery that we call “God.” In this sense, Christ is God’s agent to bring human beings to full union with the Creator of all that exists.
In sum, let us suggest a few different phrases to communicate these and similar meanings: “Christ the Bridge between God and man,” “Jesus Christ the way to life eternal,” “Jesus the LORD of love,” “Christ our faithful guide home.” Far more and better than being “a king,” I would say.
