christ as king!

AS we celebrate Christ as King.
We must remind ourselves of whom we serve,
the privileges that brings,
and the responsibilities as well.

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And then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of Him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. Matthew 27:29

Just as we see our humble King also serves us.
We too become children of God and heirs of God’s kingdom
at our baptism and we are called by the King of Kings
to also serve the people of this world,
to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

But people’s basic material needs
have to be taken care of
as well as their spiritual needs.

Matthew 25:31-46 provides a scene of judgement,
Our King, our good shepherd standing as judge,
our shepherd who, while caring for all the sheep in his flock
shows particular care for the weak and wounded ones.

Christ himself used the image of the good shepherd
to describe his mission and purpose
and as his followers,
we show that we truly belong to his kingdom
by our service to the lonely and vulnerable.

So what does he expect of us?

According to this reading
We are to feed the hungry,
give drink to the thirsty,
welcome the stranger,
clothe the naked,
care for the sick,
and visit the captives.

Seems fairly straight forward,
but this is more than a call for daily necessities.

When we see someone hungry for friendship,
a word of encouragement or appreciation
then we are duty bound to give it to them,
to offer them a word of praise and appreciation,
a smile, a sign of friendship.

When we see people thirsty for companionship,
love or a sense of belonging,
then we are to walk with them,
love them and show them they belong
through a kind word or action.

When we see people ostracised from community groups,
discriminated against or neglected,
then we must welcome them and advocate for them.

When people feel naked due to the loss of
their good name due to gossip,
stripped of their self-confidence
through the disapproval of others,
then we must nurture their spirit
and help them rebuild their self-worth.

When people are sick with doubt and worry,
wounded through failure and disappointment
we must journey with them,
being the presence of calm and peace,
creating that sacred space for them where
healing is possible.

When people are imprisoned by nerves,
loneliness and guilt, then we must connect
them to the source of their release through
acts of friendship and forgiveness.

And when we encounter a person who is
homeless for the want of tenderness and affection,
sympathy and understanding,
love and acceptance,
then we must open our hearts,
embrace them and listen to them.

It’s not always so much a question of giving things,
although often that is required,
but of giving of ourselves –
of our time, our energy, and our love.

It’s about seeing the world through God’s eyes,
seeing people through God’s eyes
and seeing where it is he needs us to serve
and then willingly and eagerly meeting that need.

44...‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Matthew 25:44-45

This is how we serve Christ and help to build His Kingdom.

When we stand before our King and judge,
we are not going to be judged on our theology,
we are not going to be judged on our liturgical practice,
we will be judged on our treatment of others,
for every time we serve one of the very least
we are serving Christ our King.

The Lord Be with You!

With Blessings

Rev Jenny