The idea of Christ as King is founded on many
Scriptures, and the themes related to this feast can help sum up
the Pentecost season and point us to Advent. In the Gospel from Mark
13:24-37, we see common seasonal themes about Christ returning
as king and judge. Unlike our modern American separation of powers, ancient
kings were both Chief Executive and Chief Justice. So in our gospel selection,
there are subtle and quick shifts in imagery- from a cosmic ruler to a local
administrator, to trial judge, to lord of an estate.
Christ’s disciples are
admonished that the Son of Man’s coming will be preceded by unusual signs and
wonders. Although we must not be too
focused on little details, He will come in cosmic glory. The old world will be
shaken to its foundations. The things that human beings take as certainties
will be disrupted. There is really just one great certainty: the Word of God in
Christ. His eternal words of truth remain forever.
As a king or other lord coming
to His land after a journey, Christ will send out messengers- angels- to gather
His people. He expects His subjects to come to Him. They will be expected to give
an account of their service while He has been away. Have they remained loyal to
Him? Have they lived and worked with His wishes and expectations in mind? Or
have they used His distance as an excuse for laziness, irresponsibility, and
self-indulgence?
Unlike any fallible human ruler or judge, Christ
knows the truth about His people. The heavenly King can look at each subject or
servant and evaluate our spiritual and moral condition immediately. A human
leader can easily misjudge or mistake motives. A mere human leader can have bad
information or jump to the wrong conclusions. Christ does not have such
human limitations. Christ our King and Judge is perfect. This fact is both
warning and comfort: the warning is that we cannot mislead Him; the comfort is
that He will be as gracious as He is accurate and just.
Since we know our King may come at any time, and
since His judgments of our service will be perfect, we must
be prepared for Him. Notice how our Lord tells us repeatedly in this passage, as well
as in others, to stay awake. We tend to alternate between excitement and
indifference, but we need steady commitment.
So mature Christians should heed Christ’s warnings. By God's grace, we must be ever-vigilant in spiritual and moral
matters. Christ is always near, and we do not know when He may manifest Himself.
He is the perfect ruler and judge, and we can never hide from Him.
Therefore, we must avoid
falling into bad habits. We mustn’t be slothful servants. We do
not want to be found spiritually unprepared and asleep. So we need to think of
Him, turn to Him, and depend upon His grace and guidance constantly. We must
avoid spiritual forgetfulness, stay awake, and be prepared for Him always.
These points about Christ the King apply to us every day. We certainly believe in a future judgment
day- “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”
But every day is also a
judgment day. In our faith, spiritual awareness, and general behavior, we stand
before our King and Judge daily. In reading the Scriptures, in prayer for ourselves and others, in
approaching the Sacrament, and in dealing with other people, we stand before our King. So
today as we hear the Word, pray, and come to the Sacrament, let us come in
humble faith, look to divine grace, and give thanks for Christ, our righteous and merciful King.
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