Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
This Sunday we celebrate the Reign of Christ and the end of our Christian liturgical calendar. Before beginning again with Advent in December, we take notice of what this means and can mean for the world. This special day in the life of the Church has long recognized the faith we share in Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end for all humanity. And on this day, we announce our belief in the kin_dom of God with Jesus Christ as the chief representative of the heavenly kin_dom here on earth.
In his book, "How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels,' author N.T. Wright suggests that in the gospel stories we must recognize the telling of the story of Jesus as the clash between the kin_dom of God and the kingdoms of this world. Earthly kingdoms are built on human arrogance while God's kin_dom is created and re-created in the very grace of God."
This week we read from John's gospel (John 18:33-37) a section of the Trial of Jesus and a conversation between Jesus and Pilate. The question is asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" To this Jesus deflects the question with a different perspective. Pilate operates from an understanding of kingdom as one of dominance and empire where kings take their authority and rule over their subjects. Jesus speaks in terms of a greater authority not of this world in which he is sent to speak of the truth, the truth of the authority of God. Wright adds, "God kin_dom enacted through Jesus makes its way with quite a different weapon, one that Pilate refuses to acknowledge: telling the truth."
Speaking of truth in scripture is part of the story of Jesus. Early Christians used symbols to speak truth during a time when it was not politically acceptable to do so. Chi Rho became the monogram for Jesus Christ using the first two letters of the Greek word Christos. In the photo shown here, alpha and omega are added to the monogram to reflect Christ as the beginning and the end.
Join us in worship this Sunday at a special time of 10:30 am in the Sanctuary as we celebrate Christ, the King.
Along the Way
Pastor Paul
The photo shown here contains a special monogram as explained:
Title: Sarcophagus of Drausin
Notes: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," provided symbolism for the early church as appears on this 3rd-4th century sarcophagus now in the Louvre in Paris. The monogram of Christ stands at the center, with the alpha to the left and the omega to the right. Surrounding it are the vines and branches, furthering the message of life in Christ. Fittingly, the stone burial container is decorated with a strong theological statement of life beginning with faith in Christ and ending with eternal life through him.
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