“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)
Old Anglophile that I am, I think I’ll be really sad when Britain’s Queen Elizabeth passes away. I know as a good American I’m not supposed to like monarchs, but I can’t help but feel a certain affection for this old girl. In my lifetime I’ve seen thirteen United States presidents, seven supreme leaders of China, eight leaders of Russia (counting the former Soviet Union), eight secretaries general of the United Nations, and six popes. But there’s only been one queen of England. She’s become something of a universal granny—a wonderfully dignified little old lady who keeps everyone on their best behavior. No matter what kind of slob may be occupying 10 Downing Street, the queen is still the representative of the nation, the embodiment of what a noble, charitable, courteous, and benevolent nation is supposed to be—whether it is or not. She is the one who is entrusted with holding the nation to a higher standard.
On Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of our liturgical year, we are reminded that we all have a monarch who holds us to the highest of standards. It’s the standard of “Do unto others” (Mt. 7:12), of “Give to all who beg from you” (Mt. 5:42), “Love your enemies” (Mt.5:43-44), “Forgive seventy times seven” (Lk. 17:4), and “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend” (Jn. 15:13). When we look to our king—our suffering king on the cross—we’re looking at the human embodiment of love, forgiveness, inclusivity, charity, patience in suffering, and faith in the eternal goodness of the Creator God. He is the king who represents the things we most long for in our hearts, whether we know it or not.
In the gospel lesson from the RCL (John 18:33-37) Jesus reminds us that he is not of this world because the way of this world is violent and self-serving. It’s Pilate’s world—a world of bureaucracy, expedience, and dog-eat-dog power struggles which have no time for the things of God. The Roman prefect seems impatient with the peasant rabbi. We can almost hear him sigh as he asks, “What have you done?” Is there a non-religious charge he can execute this man for? Pilate isn’t a Jew and can’t waste his time on silly religious matters. If Jesus claims to be a king, then he’s admitted to a charge of sedition and Pilate can nail him to a cross without hesitation.
But Jesus isn’t about to call himself a revolutionary. His way is not the way of violent rebellion or earthly power. It is, rather, the way that God has intend that we should live together. It is, let us hope, the way we will one day live together in eternity. The pragmatic Pilate, however, has no time for this. He cynically asks Jesus, “What is truth?” Truth for him, or for anyone worshiping the false gods and rulers of this world, is a fluid thing which can change according to how it serves our self-interest.
I am both amused and frightened by the rhetoric of some in America today about obeying earthly rulers. There are so many who now protest the recent government directive about COVID vaccinations in the workplace, claiming that they are fighting against tyranny and “government overreach” by refusing to obey these mandates. Perhaps they imagine themselves as heirs to those early American patriots who opposed King George III. I find the talk of “tyranny” slightly ludicrous. I would suggest to the anti-vax and maskless crowd that they live for a time in North Korea, Communist China, or Saudi Arabia and then decide if they are living under tyranny here in the U.S.
There have been many times during the last several years when I’ve wished the U.S. were a monarchy. If only we could be like the U.K with an elected government but a permanent monarch—and if only that monarch were Christ the King. Then there would be no need for mandates because we would all do our best to represent the sovereign. We would unquestionably do what was right and safe out of love for our brothers and sisters. We would care for them, protect them, and love them. There would be no controversy over gun laws because no guns would be needed. No argument about social welfare because we’d all share as Christ would have us share. No pro-life/pro-choice agitation because life would be respected and wise choices would always be made.
Yes, if only we had a monarch who represented the “us” we only wish we could be. But, his kingdom is not of this world—even though it should be.
May the peace of God be with you.
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