The classic film, “King of Kings,” tells the story of Jesus. When it was being produced in Spain, the rumor got around that the producer was insisting that the plot be kept secret. When a London reporter got wind of this, he telephoned the press agent for the movie who admitted that the producer did indeed want to keep the plot secret.
“For your information,” declared the reporter, “I know a book that gives the entire plot. It’s called the New Testament.”
“For heaven’s sake,” begged the press agent, “don’t tell the producer.”
This is the last Sunday of the Church Year and once again throughout the Christian year we have recalled the earthly life of Jesus. On this day the year comes to a dramatic close as we celebrate Christ as King. King of what? King of Christians? King of heaven? King of creation? King of all that is or ever will be, King of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The designation of Christ as King is a curious one for us Americans. While we enjoy watching the royal family in England, a monarchy in America is unthinkable. Thomas Jefferson, one of the best-known of the founding fathers, said of monarchy, “There is not a single crowned head in Europe whose talents or merits would entitle him to be elected a vestryman by the people of any parish in America.” Mark Twain expressed American distrust of monarchy even more concisely in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: “All kings is mostly rapscallions.”
But the real problem lies not in the concept of kingship, but in the inability of most kings to be what a king should be. To quote another famous American, William Penn, “Kings…should imitate God; their mercy should be above all their works.” God is the model for kings, and Christ is King of kings.
Kingship is most fully revealed in what we recalled in today’s Gospel. Jesus is hanging on the cross. Above him is a sign placed in mockery: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” What was placed in derision is in fact the truth. The kind of King he is is one who lays down his life for all. Unlike any other ruler, he came not to be served, but to serve, and to lay down his life as a ransom for many.
His Kingship is, therefore, a costly Kingship. For us truly to participate in that Kingship, we must follow his example. We must lay down our lives for him, that he may use us as he wills.
When I look at my own life against that standard, I see how woefully short I fall; but when I look at this parish, I see it all around me, played out in your daily lives. I see it in the heartfelt prayers of those who pray the Daily Office, in our Sunday School teachers who lovingly teach our faith to our children week after week with joy and enthusiasm, in our men’s and women’s ministries, our choirs, our Thrift Shop, our Altar Guild, our staff, our Hispanic ministry, our Salvation Army Bell Ringers. I am in awe of the devotion and selflessness of so many in our parish. You proclaim Jesus as King to me in so many ways and it’s done so naturally as hardly to be noticed for the faithful living that it is. But you do it because Christ is King, and, of course, because this is Redeemer!
This being our stewardship season, I see you laying down your lives for others in the money you give to the parish so that we can do the important ministries we do. By the way, we all know the building campaign is coming early next year. Don’t worry, we’re going to be knocking on your door about the building campaign, but right now this pledge drive is just about next year’s operating fund. It’s very important that we all fully support the operating fund and not cut our pledges in anticipation of giving to the building fund. We don’t want to build a new building and have to lay off staff because the operating fund has been cut!
Jesus gave his life for us—our sins have been forgiven through the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Now we give our lives to him, by living sacrificially loving lives for others.
St. Francis of Assisi, who was riding his horse on his way home one day, was struggling with God about God’s call on his life, yet still enjoying the benefits of being a rich man’s son. Suddenly he felt his horse shy under him. He looked up to see the most feared sight in the 12th century world—a leper.
Fighting his fear and loathing, Francis dismounted, went to the leper, and put some money in his hand. Then, impelled by what he regarded as the power of Christ, he took the leper’s hand and kissed it, putting his lip’s to the leper’s rotting flesh. The leper took hold of him and gave him the kiss of peace in return. Francis reciprocated, then got back on his horse and rode home.
From that day he began to visit the lepers, bringing them gifts and kissing their hands. In his will, Francis wrote, “The Lord led me among them, and I showed mercy to them, and when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of body and soul.”
After Francis dismounted his horse and kissed the leper, he returned to his steed and rode away. Suddenly he turned around, but there was no one to be seen. Then Francis knew he had seen the Lord.
As this Christian Year comes to a close and we look once again toward the cycle of re-experiencing the earthly life of our Lord, we do well to remind ourselves that Jesus calls us to lay down our lives for love of him, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Sermon preached by The Very Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson
Church of the Redeemer
Sarasota, Florida
Feast of Christ the King
20 November 2016