2 of 6

At other times, we think of King Jesus as British royalty, something akin to Queen Elizabeth the Figurehead. Americans remain fascinated with the English royal scene, especially the pomp and circumstance that goes with it. I still recall our country's enthusiasm for the wedding of Prince Charles and soon-to-be Princess Diana. It was a magnificent ceremony in one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals, St. Paul's. Some 750 million watched on TV, and millions of those were Americans glued to their sets in the wee hours of the morning. The apparel and music and liturgy were rich with color and texture and brilliance. We ate it up. We're so fascinated with British royalty, we even think the changing of the guards is pretty cool.

But if Queen Elizabeth were to issue a directive, ordering us to pay taxes to help with the upkeep of Windsor Castle, we'd politely, or not so politely, decline: "Are you kidding? Who do you think you are? We learned long ago—in 1776 to be exact—how to manage our lives without you."

This, of course, is a continuing temptation for those of us who love the "pomp and circumstance" of worshipping King Jesus—both high-church Anglicans who relish fine robes, classical music, and exquisite liturgy and low-church Pentecostals mesmerized by praise choruses and miraculous gifts. But on Monday morning, when the very King we've worshiped taps us on the shoulder and says, "How about forgiving that co-worker? Or giving up that nasty habit? Or volunteering at the food closet?" we're tempted to respond, "Are you kidding? Who do you think you are? I learned long ago how to manage my life without your continual interference." It's hard to honor and obey Jesus if we think of him as Queen Elizabeth the Figurehead.

Then again, some of us think of Jesus as King David the Disappointment. King David had it all. He had the good looks of Michelangelo's David as well as charisma, leadership skills, and military genius. When he became king at a young age, he had nothing but a glorious future stretching before him—the hope of not only his family but of all Israel.

While he is remembered as Israel's greatest king, could he not have become the greatest king in ancient Middle Eastern history, even in world history? Yet he squandered his future by succumbing to adultery and then covering it up with murder. His family fragmented, with many of his sons becoming bent on his destruction. His story ends with a family destroyed and Israel in check. It could have ended so much better.

King Jesus is supposed to care for and guide us. One would think that by putting our trust in him, we should know nothing but blessings. But then your spouse dies, or the children you've raised in the love and admonition of the Lord say they don't know him anymore, or a friend gets pancreatic cancer, or you lose a job you desperately wanted, or, more importantly, desperately needed. King Jesus showed so much promise when we gave our lives to him, but he has not always seemed to manage our lives well. He's become to us like King David the Disappointment. Though we go through the motions of prayer and church and Bible reading, there isn't much enthusiasm for honoring or obeying him.

next page... |  2 of 6

share this page

December (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50