In the processional hymn which celebrates the Ark of the Covenant entering Jerusalem’s temple, the Psalmist leads us in joyful prayer and praise. For the Jews, the Ark was the seat of God; it was where the Lord dwelt. The worshippers cry for the gates to open so that the Lord of hosts can enter in. We echo this cry on the Feast of Christ the King; we, who worship the Father in spirit and truth acknowledge Jesus’ rightful place on the throne of glory, at his Father’s right hand.
Jesus is the Son, the King, the Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the One who overcame the deadliest foes: sin, Satan and death. John records the eternal hymn of praise of the four living creatures, capturing the glory, honour, worship and praise which are due to Jesus, the Servant King, because he laid down his life only to take it up again: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.’ Jesus is truly enthroned as King as we longingly wait for the full unveiling and realisation of the kingdom: ‘…until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.’
We are living in the age of the Church; the end times have been a reality since Jesus ascended into heaven. When he comes again in glory, sin, death and corruption will be overthrown entirely: ‘When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him (the Father) who put all things under him, that God may be everything to everyone.’
The kingship and lordship of Jesus underpin our faith. Today, as the liturgical year draws to a close, we prepare to celebrate once more the coming of the King of Kings, who laid aside his majesty and glory to humble himself by being born, not in regal comfort, but in a lowly stable.
