Archive Poster : June 2023
On May 6th, 2023, an estimated audience of 400 million people witnessed the coronation of King Charles III. This event was significant in the eyes of so many because the ceremony confirmed Charles' position on the throne and his role as monarch of the United Kingdom and all remaining Commonwealth countries.
Whether we are pro-monarchy or not, King Charles III is our King and rules his kingship over us.
The phrase "Long live the King" comes from a traditional proclamation, "The king is dead, long live the king!" made following the accession of a new monarch. What seems like a contradictory phrase simultaneously announces the death of the previous monarch and asserts continuity by saluting the new monarch. Queen replaces King. King replaces Queen. King replaces King and so on. The title is enduring but the individuals are not.
There is, however, one enduring king - "The King of Kings and Lord of lords," as the Bible describes Jesus (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). He's the only king to fulfill both parts of the proclamation, "The king is dead, long live the king!" He is the king who died and still lives.
In stark contrast to King Charles' coronation, the people placed on Jesus' head not jewelled gold but a bloodied crown of thorns. Jesus' pomp and ceremony was not music and prayers but a brutal public beating and execution. Also unlike King Charles III's reign, death does not end Jesus' reign. Jesus submitting himself to death on a cross was an act of royal service to his people. The king sacrificed himself for the sins of his people and was raised back to life demonstrating his enduring reign.
"God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11.
In the end all other rulers will be conquered or abolished, and Jesus alone will reign supreme as King and Lord of all the earth. No power, king, or lord can oppose him and win.
So the next time you hear, "Long live the King," think about the true, enduring King Jesus on his heavenly throne today. Entrust yourself to his servant leadership and rejoice that ultimately his power and righteousness will reign.
Prayer:Dear God, Thank you that Jesus is the true and living King for all people. Help me to put my trust in him, live under his righteous rulership, and enter his kingdom on the day you call me home. Amen
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