Homily for Christ the King. Readings 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Collosians 1:12-20, Luke, 23:35-43

Who do we follow? As young children we follow our parents, when we become teenagers we may begin to follow our friends. When we are adults there are many different people we may follow. We all like to be seen as following a winner.

We have just come through a long, difficult, contentious election cycle that is still affecting many people. This election has seemed to continue with a lot of the same contentious language and sniping back and forth which is not helping anyone. The back biting and the complaints are not doing anything to help those less fortunate in this country or anywhere in the world. We need to come together and follow a proven winner in order to tackle these issues.

During a difficult time in Israels history the leaders of all the tribes came and pledged allegiance to David as the true King of Israel. What did they see in him? They saw in him the fulfillment of the prophesy about the one who led the Israel people outside the power of Saul. This was the leader they were looking for.

David for his part did not just make his agreement with the tribal leaders he did it not only in front of them, but in the presence of the Lord. This agreement had a bond that was in force until the people chose to leave the Lord out of their daily lives. During David’s reign Israel had an extended period of prosperity that was handed to his son Solomon who continued this time due to their following the advice of the prophets of the time. By listening to the prophets they were able to follow the Lord.

When Solomon died and was succeeded the kingdom split in two and was eventually conquered by different empires over time leading to the Romans of Jesus’ time. When Jesus was born they were being told they were waiting for a king to take back the kingdom and rule their own way rather than to the Romans.

What they received was the Word incarnate, the image of the invisible God. This image came and was not what they expected. He did not support violence, war or the privilege of wealth and power.  Since he was not supporting the establishment of the Pharisees they chose to believe he was nothing less than an insurgent that needed to be weeded out. We see this today in multiple different aspects of life. If we disagree with someone we choose to cease being friends. We don’t friend them on social media, we belittle them if we see them post something we disagree with.

This is not the way to move society forward. So who should we follow? Should we follow those who espouse violence to get what they want? Should we follow those who would legislate the moral compass? We need to remember that neither of these things should be the prevalent attitude of the day. We have fallen into the trap that if we follow some person or idea we will gain some sort of wealth or power here on earth. Do we not realize that our life on earth is a finite period? Don’t we want immortality? This is not gained with wealth or power.

The thieves that were being crucified with Jesus show the two different sides to these options. The one thought as the crowds who were making fun and chiding Jesus. “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself.” The inscription of King of the Jews on the cross was not meant as a compliment when Pontious Pilate told his soldiers to place it on the cross. It was his way of saying to the Jews I am killing your king so you need to follow me.

The second thief realized who was there was more than just the King of the Jews, He was the savior of the world, and the way to eternal life. He asks a simple question of Jesus that we seem to forget. “Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom” This asking to be remembered is something we all want. Some want to be remembered for their wealth and power. Jesus chooses to remember the ones who are sorry for their sins and who help others see this.

Jesus is not against wealth or power when used to follow him. When we lose sight of who we should want to remember us in this life, we lose sight of what is truly important in this life. All life is important, regardless of where the status of the person is. Our country has evolved in their viewpoint on the importance of who we are. We began as a nation where not all people were considered the same even though “that all men are created equal”. While we did not as a beginning country enshrined some as less than people we have evolved over the years. Slavery was outlawed, women have been given the vote and rights they did not have when the country was formed.

We still have a long way to go as evidenced by the recent election, but we need to continue the evolution that has been going on. This is necessary if we as a country want to follow in Christ’s image and be remembered when we enter His Kingdom. This evolution will only happen when we can have constructive conversations with those who we do not agree with. I believe that we all want, regardless of our political persuasion, the same thing. Do we all want peace on earth? Do we all want equal opportunity for all people regardless of their status?

I believe if we follow what God has had us publish in the bible we can see these things become reality. If we choose to follow and seek wealth and power in this world we will not attain any of the things we really want.