The King who serves.

CHRIST THE KING WHO SERVES

Lk. 23:35-43

Over a hundred years ago most European countries had kings or royal heads of one kind or another.  Germany had a Kaiser, Russia had a Czar and Austria-Hungary an Emperor.  They were absolute monarchs who ruled their kingdoms, if not with an iron fist, with very few constitutional restraints.  The First World War brought about big changes.  Many of the crowns of Europe were abolished.  All that remained was a handful of figureheads as in England, Spain, Holland and Belgium.  Why then after the First World War in 1925 did Pope Pius XI create the feast of Christ the King?  It was because secularism and atheism were rearing their heads and the world lay in a great depression.  It was to counteract these false values and raise people to new heights that the Pope created this feast Christ the King of the Universe.  Pope Pius XI by creating this feast wanted us to ask ourselves, “Who exercises dominion over you?  Who or what rules our lives?”  Surely, we want Him to rule our lives and dominate our universe.

Now let us focus our attention on Jesus hanging on His cross and see the kind of King He is.  Above His head is nailed to the cross a sign which reads in three languages, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  We usually think of kings as people whom others must serve.  Yet, when we say Jesus is King, the word ‘king’ carries an exactly opposite meaning.  Jesus is King because He came to serve.  He told us, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.”  In His eyes it is the one who serves who is the greatest.  He came to be the servant of all.  He said, “For who is greater, he who sits at table, or he who serves?  Is it not he who sits at table?  Yet, I am among you as the One Who serves.” (Lk. 22:27). Jesus showed Himself to be a servant by washing the feet of His Apostles.  He relinquished all power, position and wealth and instead reached out and gave Himself to the poor, the sick, the possessed, the sinner, the despised, the marginalised and the outcast – for their healing, their good, their forgiveness and above all, for their salvation.

Christ’s Kingship of loving service, with its challenging qualities of lowliness, humility and obedience shine out in the sufferings of His passion.  When Pilate questioned Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  He did not reject the title but said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”  His Kingdom was one of justice, peace, joy and love.  Even the soldiers who mocked Him recognised Him to be a King of sorts.  After His scourging they blindfolded, mocked and saluted Him, “Tell us, O King, who is it that strikes You?”  The priests at the foot of the Cross jeered and derided Him, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”  The repentant thief, recognising Jesus to be a good Man and a King, begged Him, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”  Jesus’ reply must have been so comforting for Him.  “Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  Let the plea of the repentant thief be a cue for a prayer we could say every day.  “Lord, the day I die may I have on my lips the words, “Jesus, remember me when I die.  And may I hear from Your lips the words, ‘Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

Jesus accepted the shame of the Cross and so was exalted as King and enthroned in glory at the right hand of God.  St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians has his own way of expressing the same thought, “And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross.  Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name.”  (Phil. 2:8-9).

Lord Jesus, we have seen the kind of King You are, the King Who serves, if we want to be Your subjects, we have to learn to serve others.  We have to make Your values of justice, peace, joy and love our values.  You gave Your life for us on the Cross, how can we neglect to make You the King of our hearts?

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