An earlier version of the this post did not post correctly. This is an updated post.
“It’s good to be the king.” That was the classic line from Mel Brook’s History of the Word, Part I (He never made part II). This line is said throughou
t the movie, often during wanton behavior from different characters. In one part of the movie, Brooks plays King Louis during the French Revolution and he uses his power to oppress the people, gives the citizens of France rotten food, and treats people with contempt. The joke about being the “king” in the movie is centered on the fact that being the king allows one to abusive power… when it suits the king. Towards the end of the movie, the King Louis is running for his life because his “kingly attitude” catches up with him in the form of a mob!
When we look at kings in history, there are certainly kings who look like the Mel Brook’s King Louis and that leaves us with a bad taste in our mouths about the idea of kingship. We can easily see a king as one who does not deserve power and who abuses power. The idea that one person can assume leadership simply because his family has power and money is just downright wrong to us 21st century Americans. We come from a democracy!
In the story of the exchange between Pilate and Jesus, Pilate a prefect of Rome, asks Jesus, “So, you are a king.” Jesus replies, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born… to I testify to the truth.” Often, we do not think of Jesus as a “king”, but yet is The King.
Often in Christianity, there are two views of Jesus. First, some tend to focus on Jesus’ “humanness.” The fact that he cried, grieved, had brothers and sisters, and was human. This first view focuses on how Jesus is a brother, friend, and comforter. Second is the view that Jesus is our King, Lord of Lords, The Mighty Warrior, The Judge at the end of time, and Lord supreme. This second view tends to focus on Jesus’ “godliness” or the fact that Jesus is the great “I AM.
Both these views are helpful in understanding the nature of Jesus. However, we must not forget that Christ is Lord… of all. We may not have kings or queens anymore, and we may be uncomfortable with the language of “king”, but we see from scripture that Jesus is more than our friend. In a sense, Christ is the opposite of Mel Brook’s King Louis. Christ does not uses his kingship for his own person gain, Jesus does not take pleasure in seeing the torment of others, or does not want to unjustly oppress people. Christ is the friendly king you want ruling.
Who is your King? What is the thing or person that rules your life? Do you need direction?
If you are in Ballston Spa this Sunday, come join us @ 10:15 a.m. as we discover the benefits of placing Christ as King and Lord of our lives.
Christ the King Sunday
Our God reigns!