“Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.”
Today we reflect on Jesus Christ as King of the Universe and His kingdom. Jesus tells Pilate: My kingdom does not belong to this world…You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. Jesus is telling Pilate that His kingship is based on eternal values – truth and justice.
We know that Jesus Christ is very different than any king that we learned about in history. The kings of history were political figures, with their rule backed by military power. Jesus Christ is a servant-king. Pilate did not grasp this concept and neither did some of the people of Jesus’s time. Jesus’s power is love – the greatest power in the universe because God is love!
Jesus Christ is our King! How are we enjoying life in the kingdom? If the kingdom exists, then why do we still experience sin and temptation? Why do we seem to be in spiritual battle? The answer is that Jesus will come again to take complete possession of the kingdom. In the meantime, we struggle against an often worldly culture, against our own selfishness and against the enemy – the devil.
As our King, Jesus gives us the spiritual weapons we need. At Mass, Jesus comes to us as we read and reflect on Sacred Scripture and in the Holy Eucharist with grace and power. Jesus forgives our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and strengthens us to avoid the occasion of sin.
Jesus Christ our King will lead us to our true home in heaven, as we surrender our will to Him.
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike