Reign of Christ - the LORD our righteousness for November 20th 2022

REIGN OF CHRIST - PROPER 29 (34)  Year C  November 20, 2022

Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 1:68-79    •   Colossians 1:11-20  •   Luke 23:33-43

I’ve noticed an add that keeps popping up on my computer lately.  It’s an add for wooden Christmas ornaments.  They are round to resemble a bauble and have the titles or names attributed to Jesus on them.

Today we celebrate one of the titles of Jesus, “Christ the King” for the feast of the reign of Christ.  These various titles, that are ascribed to Jesus, appear throughout the Old Testament and New, and we are introduced to a pertinent one in the reading from Jeremiah 23:5-6.

“The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

 

We know that the righteous branch refers to Jesus, as a descendant of King David, but here is the name by which he will be called, “The LORD is our righteousness”. 

 

Because we are reading this in English, we might miss a couple of things.  The passage, while describing the branch as being of King David, clearly affirms that this is a human of the royal line, but when the passage adds that he will be called, “The Lord our Righteousness”, it clearly uses the sacred word for God Yahweh.  Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God – This name for Jesus, here in the Old Testament clearly names him as God. 

 

In the New Testament reading for today, this “God-ness” of Jesus is clearly stated in a couple of places.  The reading tells us that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, and also, that in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.  In fact, our New Testament reading sounds a little like a creed explaining the nature of Christ.  Through Christ all things were created and in him all things hold together. 

In both the New Testament and in the Old, it is clear that the nature of Christ, the Messiah, was more than merely human.

 

That phrase from Jeremiah, “The LORD (Yaweh) is our righteousness”.  Clearly tells us that this branch who was to come was also God himself.  But what does this name for Christ mean for us?  We often hear terms like this, but do we understand what this term, “the LORD is our righteousness”, means? 

According to the dictionary righteousness means, “the quality of being morally right or justifiable”.   According to the Bible righteousness means acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.   The Bible also, clearly tells us that no one is righteous before God.  Every single person, no matter how good and how well intentioned, has fallen short of the glory of God.  We have no righteousness before God.  That is the reality.  We needed a saviour and we have one.  His name is Jesus.  He is Yahweh and HE is our righteousness. 

This is the Good News and the message of our faith.  Jesus, through his own righteousness, and then through his sacrifice on the cross for us – and through our baptism, which is our conscious decision to belong to him, imputes to us his own righteousness.  This is how we can claim to be saved.  This is how we can claim our life is safe and secure as one of the saints in heaven.  Not because of any of our own actions, but because God loved us so much that he sent his son, known as “Yaweh our righteousness”.   What a blessed assurance we have!

 

When we are baptised, we are described as having died with Christ… we are united to him.  We also talk about being clothed in Christ.  In, and of ourselves, we still have no righteousness, but God imputes to us, the righteousness of Christ.  We are said to be made righteous by faith, because of our belief.    When we decide we want to belong to God and we are baptised into Jesus we are agreeing with God that we need a saviour.  God, whose plan was always to save us, is eager to lavish this grace on us and call us righteous because of our union with him.

 

It is because of Jesus’ actions and not our own, and for that reason Jesus could answer to the thief on the cross who asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."   Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

 

We are connected to Christ through our baptism.  Our baptism is our conscious decision to submit our lives to Christ.  The symbols of water couldn’t be used by the thief on the cross.  Other rituals could not take place for the thief on the cross.  But all our rituals are meant to be a way of making it clear to us, that we are connected to Jesus and belong most assuredly to him.  Baptism is the outward sign of an inner reality.  The thief could do none of these outward things, but he asked Jesus to remember him.  It was from the heart.  It was a genuine cry for eternal salvation and it was enough.  The thief acknowledged the reality of his condition and his need for a saviour.

 

We do not know what goes on in the heart of another before Christ.  Some, like the other thief, might scoff, but I think the more likely response for all who are presented with the reality of Jesus and stand in the presence of God, will be like the repentant thief, and will figuratively or literally fall on their knees with a desire to serve Christ the King.

 

There is more that we can explore from this passage.  We note that the royal reign of Christ is one of wisdom, justice and righteousness.  As we enter the Christmas season, we are looking to the second coming of Christ, when this rule of wisdom and justice and righteousness will be clearly seen.  But what about right now?  What does it mean for us now?

 

We belong to Christ and we are his hands and his feet.  The rule of wisdom, Justice and righteousness at this time needs to be shown to the world through the church.  More than this, each of us, through our baptism belongs to God – we are the church.  Each of us needs to allow the wisdom, justice and righteousness of God show through in our own lives.  But how? 

 

The answer lies in the theme of today.  Today is the celebration of the Reign of Christ, or Christ the King. 

In December of 1925 Pope Pius the XI instituted this feast.  This happened nearly 100 years ago.  The explanation from the Pope was to remind people of the supremacy of Christ in the wake of World War One.  In his writings about this feast the Pope points out that the chief causes of the “manifold evils in the world” were that the majority of people had “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives,” both in private and political affairs. While Christ is to rule over the hearts, minds and wills of individuals, Pope Pius reminds us that as long as states refuse to submit to the sovereignty of Christ, “there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.”  (https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/a-closer-look-christ-the-king-of-individuals-nations-of-time-eternity/60199) 

 

I find this statement quite amazing considering the trajectory of modern life and where life is at right now with the absolute abandonment of what has been traditionally considered God’s moral law for so many centuries.  Many more people have thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives, both in private and in political affairs.  What hope is there for lasting peace among the nations?

 

There is always hope.  But that hope is only found in Christ.  The world, like each of us, needs to realize a need for Christ and also acknowledge Christ as King.  This is not something that is necessarily going to happen nationally.  In fact, it can’t and shouldn’t happen that way, as it is something that has to happen one heart at a time and it must start right now with you and me.

 

Our lives are vital.  It is vital for the good of each other, the community, the nation and beyond.  It is vital that we understand that Christ is our King.  Wisdom, justice and righteousness comes through Christ via you and I.  We bring this to the world by our submission and dedication to Christ and by continuing to remain connected to the branch – to Christ, allowing his life to flow through us by his Holy Spirit.  It is simply something that we, like the thief, must consciously acknowledge - our need of a saviour and acknowledge the Kingship of Christ.  “Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom.”    We are already assured to be with him in his kingdom, but his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven through his Holy Spirit working through us, in our lives.

 

The word “Hosanna”, means, “God save us”.  It is a cry for help that became a term of praise.  Why?  Because God DOES save us.  “Jesus remember me, when you come into your Kingdom”, should also be for us, a phrase of praise.  God is our righteousness – He imputes to us all his goodness before the father.

 

We live in the reality, that in and of ourselves, we may tend to give in to temptations… we do fall, often.  But we walk in a spiritual reality where we are unconditionally accepted by God because Jesus is The LORD (Yaweh) our righteousness.  This is the Good News we need to offer the world.  Then, one heart at a time, the reign of Christ is manifest.  It begins with you and I consciously, each day saying, “Jesus Christ, you are the Lord and King of my life.  I live this day for you.”

ALL SAINTs (1st Nov) celebrated on 6th Nov 2022

 

All Saints 2022  - Daniel 7.1-3, 15-18   - Psalm 149 - Ephesians 1.11-23 -  Luke 6.20-31

 

Welcome to the celebration of ALL SAINTS DAY.  What is it that comes to mind for you on this day?  Perhaps it is those who were dramatically martyred like St. Peter, or the first martyr, St. Stephan.  Did you know that 45.5 million of the estimated 70 million Christians who have died for Christ did so in the last century?  That means that, in some places of the world, it is incredibly dangerous to be a Christian.  It is something we don’t really like to think about and the media is strangely quiet about it.

 

For me, being brought up in the Roman Catholic church, I remember the many stories of the many different ancient saints.  I remember having to choose a patron Saint for my confirmation.  For as long as I could remember, I was told by my mother that I should choose Therese… so wanting to be my own person, I chose Louise…. And really can’t tell you why, except that it wasn’t Therese.

 

In more modern times, as I reflect on All Saints Day, and great people of faith, the stand outs for me are, Mother Theresa or Saint Paul.  These had very different ministries and callings, but both gave their life to God and lived and breathed that calling.  For them and for all of those modern saints, they lived the beatitudes that we read in the Gospel today.  However, the beatitudes are written just as much for you and I.  The beatitudes are a promise that there is an inheritance worth more than these trials of earth.

 

Christians who take their faith seriously and live those beatitudes are all around us.  Do you know the story of Rachael Scott?  She was brought up in a Christian family and at the age of 11 in 1993, she chose to make her own commitment to Christ. By April 1998, when she was at Columbine High School, five of her closest friends had distanced themselves from her because of her increasing commitment to her faith. Furthermore, because of her faith, she was occasionally subjected to mockery by several of her peers. Rachel documented this in a letter to a relative a year to the day before her death. The letter included the words: "Now that I have begun to walk my talk, they make fun of me. I don't even know what I have done. I don't even have to say anything, and they turn me away. I have no more personal friends at school. But you know what, it's all worth it."

 

Rachael was observed by her family to be often praying on her knees and one person that she prayed for, was one who would eventually murder her in the killing spree at the Columbine High school.   Speaking about Rachael in the Eulogy, one of her school mates who had been considered an outcast at Columbine High School, stated: "All my life I prayed that someone would love me and make me feel wanted. God sent me an angel," 

 

Rachael was living her life in the reality of the beatitudes, knowing that there was an inheritance in heaven that was worth more than the rejection she faced from former friends.  She continued to reach out in compassion and love to others and pray for those who troubled her.

 

A couple of weeks ago we read the story of the rich man who asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life.  There are two interesting things in that question; Firstly, he asked about what he must do.  He was asking about the action he must take and the reason was so that he could perform some action to be assured eternal life… or earn eternal life.  The word he used in the second part of his question, however, was the word inherit.  And the interesting part about an inheritance, is that how a child inherits the parents’ property, is by simply remaining a part of the family…. They do nothing but remain connected.

 

In looking into the Hebrew and Greek meaning of the word translated as inherit, there is nothing different from our own understanding, except perhaps to emphasise that it is to gain something permanently.  The reason I’m so interested in this word, is that it pops up again in our readings for All Saints Day, in Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things….”

 

In Christ, we obtain an inheritance.  It is important to note that it is only through the accomplishment of Christ that we obtain this inheritance.  We need to note that it is not through something that we do, but something that Christ has done…. And ONLY Christ could accomplish this.  We also note the permanency of this inheritance in the prophecy of Daniel, where he says, “But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever--forever and ever."  The term “Holy ones” is often translated, “the saints”.  To whom is Daniel referring?  And just who are these “Saints”.

 

Being the celebration of All Saints, we could be thinking that we are celebrating the lives of particular holy people, whose stories should spur us on in our faith.  We may also be misled into thinking that these are the particular holy people who are the only ones who made it with any assurance into heaven.  We might also be misled into thinking that they are those who earnt their place in heaven.  This would be an error in our thinking, and we need to explore what the truth is, to discover the truly Good News that is ours.  The truly Good News which enabled those inspirational people to press on regardless of hardships and persecution.

 

It is true that the Holy ones, or Saints are those who are assured of their inheritance, but it isn’t just the Mother Theresa’s, or Saint Paul’s of the world who belong to this group. 

 

It is also, not our good deeds that ensure our salvation.  It is a common error to think that those good and inspirational people have earnt their place in heaven, but none of us can earn our way into heaven…. Not even Mother Theresa or Saint Paul… just to name a few.

 

We may need to take a moment to let that sink in.  Mother Theresa gave her life to serve the poor.  Saint Paul gave his life to proclaim the Gospel.  Surely these people deserve a place in heaven.  The Bible has many verses to tell us that only the good and perfect will inherit the Kingdom of God… and also tells us that all have fallen short of the glory of God.

 

These inspirational people are SAINTs and they are those who willingly bore hardships because they had a God given understanding of the Kingdom of God and the salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ.

 

Although, at this time we reflect on the inspiration of these people, the group designated as “Saints” is much broader than you might initially imagine.  You and I are even named in this category, as the term “Saints” is actually a term used in the Bible.  In the New Testament it is used, even in the greeting, in the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.   He writes in Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Saint Paul is referring to all believers and followers of Jesus. (NKJV).  The word “Saint” is sometimes translated Holy ones, meaning, “those set apart for God”.  You and I were anointed as one set apart and belonging to God at our Baptism. 

 

You and I are called “holy ones”… set apart, because of our faith in God and Jesus Christ. 

 

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, there are many mysterious prophecies and one talks about the people of God being sealed with a mark such that they are set apart as belonging to God.  We read about this seal here also… perhaps you missed it.   It is in our reading from Ephesians; “In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.”

 

Not only are we promised eternal life through Christ, as an inheritor with him, of the kingdom of God, but we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, ensuring our salvation and assuring us that God has accepted us.  We are also told in this message to the Ephesians, just how it works; it says, “In him, you also, when you had heard the word of truth…. And believed in him – you were marked with the seal.  The prerequisite for being sealed with the Holy Spirit and being an inheritor, is hearing the truth and believing in Jesus Christ.  Have you heard the word of truth and believed in Jesus Christ?  Then you too, are inheritor of this marvellous salvation.  Rest assured you are among the Saints.

 

Hmmm… well… that is the truth, but the problem is that we don’t always feel it, act it or look like it.  We live our life in the physical realm and our focus is on the physical.  Our preoccupation with the physical, more often than not, leaves us blind to the reality of God’s Holy Spirit working in us.  While we live on this earth and in this physical body, there will always be a battle.  The physical reality is that we are fallen beings.  The spiritual reality is that, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our Baptism which units us to him, we are clothed in Christ and we are redeemed beings.  We have his spirit alive in us and God has sealed us with this spirit as his own.

 

Today, as we celebrate All Saints Day, we need to take time out to stop awhile.  Take time out to focus on that spiritual reality.  I believe it is because of a revelation of that spiritual reality that the many amazing Saints, such as Saint Paul and Mother Theresa, and Rachael Scott could do the things they did.  It is for this reason that Saint Paul prays for the Ephesians, for a spirit of wisdom and revelation and that they be enlightened to know what hope to which God has called them and what are the riches of his glorious inheritance.

 

Let us take a moment now to pray to God for ourselves, that he will also give us this same revelation, so that we too can live a life uncommon, embodying his extraordinary compassion and grace, to the praise of his glory.