Who is this King we celebrate today?
The skeptic answers: This King is an utter failure for anybody who has eyes to see and with a brain to reason. This Jesus had no land: He never did. He had no army; nor does He have one now.
This King – this Jesus – lived 2,000 years ago and His life ended in total rejection, shame and betrayal. Who honors such a king? Why can’t these Christians see all the damage their religion has done through the ages? What is this Kingdom their Messiah wanted to establish?
Can we look to His first followers as bearers of noble glory? Hardly! They were mere fishermen, tax collectors and partisans of their backward little country. Throughout history, His subsequent followers held slaves. They have put to death those who did not agree with them. Some committed crimes against children. They even had religious wars among themselves to determine who is greatest in this Kingdom.
And today who are they - these followers of this King? Outside of the first world countries the majority of this King’s subjects are wretched and poor. Many live in shacks without running water or heat. They have too many children and they have too many illnesses to count. In the developed world His followers are people who obstruct progress with their talk about unborn children and they try to stop laws that would allow for medically assisted death for terminally ill people. These people still insist on telling people how to live their lives.
Now, I’m not saying all Christians are bad people. Many of these kingdom seekers are just misguided. Sure they’ve built hospitals and colleges and social services, soup kitchens, hospice units, but, it’s always with a catch: “We’re not just helping You – we are doing it for our King for you are a member of His Kingdom!”
Ok, these Christians dig wells in countries where water sources are scarce. They even work to protect creation. They shelter unwed mothers and they comfort women who have had an abortion. Ok, they also house refugees and they take care of orphans and widows but it’s always with a catch, “We are doing this for our king, Jesus.” Everything has a catch with them!
The Christian answers: His Kingdom is not of this world. He promises nothing that He does not deliver. He promises us rejection and hatred as well as joy and companionship. He leads us to the cross and beyond to the resurrection. We worship Him for He is love incarnate. We serve Him because He has loved us first. He has loved us first so we can bring His kingdom of love to all humanity. We are not perfect but we share His love story with everyone because He is.
