Christ the King To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday! It is a day when we remember the Jesus, Lord at his birth, announced by the angels and worshipped by shepherds and Wisemen. We imagine the palm branches and the cries of Hosanna! as Jesus the humble King came into the holy city of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey’s colt. We recoil in shock and shame as we gaze upon a crucified King, dying that we might be reconciled to God. And we celebrate Christ, our Risen King who calls us to new life...resurrected life, empowered by the holy spirit. A challenge for me is living in, and into, this new life. I don’t always feel part of that “kingdom of priests” described in Revelation. I continue to find hold outs and strongholds in my life where the embers of rebellion occasionally threaten to burst into flame. I need the daily reminder that Jesus is King and that I am not. The daily practice of humbly surrendering my will to him and allowing him to have his way with me…that His will, not mine might be done. Are there areas in your life that still want to hold out…to barricade against the life Christ our King so freely offers? Why not surrender all and pledge allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords! Blessings,
Matthew+ Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well‑beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p. 236) | 
