What Christ the King Sunday teaches us about exercising power
If Jesus being king doesn't mean that things turn out well for everyone, what does it mean?
I've seen a number of Internet memes that are variations on this theme: "No Matter Who Is President, Jesus Is King." I won't argue with the sentiment. This coming Sunday many Christians will celebrate Christ the King, and the phrase "Jesus is Lord" is one of the most ancient and basic Christian faith statements. But what exactly does it mean to say that Jesus is king or lord?
I could add that we Presbyterians, as part of the Reformed-Calvinist family, are really big on the sovereignty of God. No matter how things may seem, God is ultimately in charge, in control. But again the question of exactly what this means and how it works remains.
But back to the Internet memes, it isn't always clear what comfort is to be taken from those posts about Jesus as lord or king. Some seem to imply that we shouldn't worry because whatever happens in this life and this world doesn't matter very much. Others seem to say "Don't worry. Jesus has got this." Perhaps other reassurance is intended. I don't know, but I know I don't much care for either of these two options.
