Today is the last Sunday of the “church” year.
This typically falls right before our Thanksgiving Holiday. A day set aside by our government as a special time in which to give thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon our nation.
Additionally, it is a day to think about our strength in diversity, as we contemplate the idea that the native people of this land (Indians) joined in peace with the new-comers (pilgrims) at this time of year. The newcomers were running from the oppression of monarchy, and the out-of- control Holy Roman Empire. We sing traditional songs at this time lifting up our voices for the blessings we receive.
ALSO…, Typically this Sunday is called “The Reign of Christ” or “Christ the King” on the church calendar. This week finishes up the “church year” which is designed to trace the life of Christ from birth (starting again next Sunday), through the return of Christ, foretold in the books of Matthew, Luke, Acts, Thessalonians, Hebrews, Titus and Revelation.
This last week of the church year celebrates, not the infancy of the savior being born, but of the adult, completed, work of that savior whose work continues in spirit as– KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORD.
For this Reign of Christ – I am thankful. Are you?
It’s probably a misnomer to call Christ a king in the human sense, because the idea of “king” is not particularly uplifting in the bible (is it anywhere?); and at least in this country, we have not had a king. We have set up elected leaders and judges.
Nor did Jesus embrace that title himself. In fact, Jesus talks about A KINGDOM, but not himself as king. OTHERS call him king; he might embody a king such as fulfilment of the Zechariah 9 scripture telling of triumphal entry to Jerusalem, but he does not say that about himself.
He calls himself the good shepherd, the light, the true vine, the bread of life —- a guide, a leader, an authority, a protector, a sustainer, a source of inspiration.
Of course, from the beginning of the biblical writings, God is sovereign, guide, friend, help in trouble,… but not an overlord… in fact Jesus told his disciples in Mark 10 it is absolutely NOT like an over-lord that they will govern. They will lead as servants. (Can you picture disciples hearing this?) Lead…… as a servant…….. let that sink in. What kind of a world allows for that?
You see, in the PAST God’s suggestion was to have judges, and priests, not kings.
However, if the people insisted, as seen in our scripture from Deuteronomy 17, God had specific directions for any king among God’s people.
The instructions were rather specific for their king: chosen by God, someone from among them, …. not too much money – not too many wives – not too much personal security (horses/army), certainly don’t go back to Egypt, – know God, follow God’s laws and covenant. The King was there to help the people be better people, not to become an overlord who got rich off them.
Turns out, the people did want a king, so they got some, but God was not pleased. Read the history: after a couple hundred years of that, it fell apart. Repeatedly.
But God hovered over God’s people as they struggled to remain faithful to God. Many fell away, but many did not. The history is there to read in the bible and other literature, and these days on the internet. Human monarchy has its uses, but in the end, it doesn’t really work well long term. Why? For humans, power corrupts.
Enter the leader of the ages, Jesus. Was this Plan B, or was it was Plan A all along that just needed time to work through the failings of humanity?
This plan, to put things “right,” was spoken of through the prophet Jeremiah (31:33-34) and attested to after the resurrection in Hebrews 8:10 when God said, they will no longer need to be taught, but they will have the law in their hearts.
In other words, these followers of God will know in their hearts what is good and right. This was a change from life sacrifice to moral ETHICS known in individuals. The problem is, people still make mistakes – and when they make mistakes, they feel guilty.
They will need a way to get past their mistakes. Thus, the work of Jesus.
THIS IS THE REIGN OF CHRIST. That the truth and light of right living and justice will live in their hearts. This is the KINGDOM of God that is present now and will be.
This is the great light that those who sit in darkness see at the coming of Christ’s birth. The “great light” is that God’s Holy Spirit will be in their hearts so they will know and do justice without the writing of rules in books or the teaching of priests. And whatever mistakes they make, will be redeemed by the giving of his life by Jesus, who is indeed “king” but not the kind we see among us. Christ is ruler/leader by right of the teaching, death, and rising to another world.
This is why Advent and Christmas is so compelling. The work of Jesus is so compelling few can resist its power. For example, Albert Einstein, an avowed agnostic, said,
“I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene….No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus.[1]”
The rule of love that Jesus brought to us – you know those two commandments, which are all we need if we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, “Love God; Love your neighbor as yourself –“ this rule of love IS the “CRUX” of the reign of Christ, the central idea. (“Crux’ is an interesting word use today, comes from the Latin, “cross.”)
At PRESENT – Instead of a Temple of animal sacrifice – We have churches of grace and love. That is what Jesus built in his ministry. He created the church, – buildings or not – based on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (The fruit, the result, of Holy Spirit living in us.)
This is what we celebrate NOW at the end of the church year – before we once again launch into celebrating the birth of the savior …. We celebrate the finished work of that Savior, Jesus Christ, and how far that work has gotten humanity since the start of it TWO THOUSAND years ago.
It is certainly something to be thankful for and to celebrate!!!! Look how far humanity has come! The Holy Spirit, working through people like you and me, for thousands of years.
However, the FUTURE work among humanity is yet unfinished. …… Not everyone “gets it.” But those who do, – like the disciples of old, – are called to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
SO I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US – AND FOR YOU!
And, don’t forget, there is an end that God has in mind for the FUTURE. The scriptures say Christ will return, CELEBRATED AND GLORIFIED, and everyone will then ACKNOWLEDGE that Jesus Christ, the first-born of a humanity filled with God’s Spirit and truly reflecting God’s image, will reign as LEADER, both spiritual and physical, not as overlord, or authoritarian,
BUT as LEADER of justice, grace, mercy and love.
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THIS COMPELLING MYSTERY, CARRIED DOWN THROUGH AGES PAST, TO OUR PRESENT, AND FOR OUR FUTURE. Amen.
How does thinking there is a righteous “king,” who might somehow rule over your life, make you feel?
Scripture:
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Psalm 10:12-18
Revelation 11:15, 17:14, 19:16
Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown on November 23, 2025 by Pastor Kathryn Foster
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[1] Viereck, George S. (1929). What Life Means To Einstein. An Interview with Saturday Evening Post, p. 117, https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/satevepost/what_life_means_to_einstein.pdf