Last Sunday after Pentecost/ Christ the King (year B proper 29)- Mark 13:24-37

 This Sunday has had various names on different church calendars over the years. Since the 1970s, many churches have called it Christ the King Sunday. Although the name is fairly new, the theme is an ancient one. This week, we end a church year, and next Sunday, we begin a new year with Advent 1. An important theme of the Scripture readings in these weeks is that Jesus Christ will come again as the heavenly King and Judge.

The readings for this Sunday emphasize divine rule. Sunday’s OT passage from Isaiah 51 provides background for thinking of Christ’s kingship. It is a prophecy of God’s righteous judgment. God is holy, and He expects all peoples to accept His righteous judgments. Psalm 93 speaks of God’s mighty and holy rule. His reign will last forever. In the second reading, Revelation 1:5 speaks of Jesus Christ as prince or ruler over the kings of the earth. Human authorities have their place in the created order, but they are properly intended to be subordinate to Christ. Jesus Christ, God the Son, should have supreme rule in the lives of all human beings and in all creation.

In the Gospel selection from Mark 13:24-37, Jesus Christ proclaims His role as a powerful king. In ancient times, one of the roles of a king was to be the chief judge, and in today’s Gospel, there are subtle and rapid shifts in imagery. The Son of Man, Christ, is compared to a cosmic ruler,  to a trial judge, and to the owner of a large estate.

As it describes Christ's kingly rule and judgment, Mark 13 makes several points. Let us briefly note two important points. 1) Christ's rule and judgment will be perfect. It will reflect His divine nature, and so it will combine qualities that may seem contradictory in ordinary human life. That is, His judgment will perfectly reflect divine holiness, justice, and mercy. 2) Although Scripture emphasizes the future coming of Christ the King, His royal rule also applies to our present life. In some respects, we human beings always stand before our heavenly King and Judge. He wants to rule our lives every day, and in every aspect of life, we stand before our King. We can never hide from Him. He is holy and just. He judges our failings and sins. Yet, He is also merciful. He wants to save us, and He sends us His redeeming and strengthening grace through His Word and Holy Spirit. So let us accept Him in faith and let Him rule in our lives each day!

Pentecost 25 (year B proper 27)- Mark 12: 38-44

Now that Reformation Day and All Saints are past, we move quickly to the end of the church year, and the end of the year reminds us to be prepared for the coming kingdom. The themes of the Scripture lessons, especially the Gospels reflect this. Jesus teaches in Jerusalem and warns His hearers to be right with God in several ways. We see this in our short selection from Mark 12:38-44. In Mark 12:38-40, our Lord points to a negative example, the honored and prosperous scribes or religious scholars of Jerusalem. Most of them hypocritically pretend to be pious, but underneath the surface, they are morally corrupt. And because of their false piety, they will face severe judgment.

In Mark 12: 41-44, Christ points to a positive example, a poor pious widow. Both socially and economically, she is near the bottom of Jerusalem society. Yet, her piety is strong and sincere. She gives from her little to worship God in a truly sacrificial way. Her small contribution is greater than the larger gifts of the respected, powerful, and wealthy.

The prosperous but hypocritical scribes are not prepared for God's kingdom, but the poor simple widow is morally and spiritually prepared. Regardless of our social or economic status, may the grace of God touch our hearts and lead us to sincere faith. Only such faith and devotion prepare us for the kingdom of God.