Giving everyone a chance

‘…for this I was born…’ (John 18:37)

John 18:33-37 (Christ the King)

Kingdom talk is all over the scriptures. This can be a little off-putting to some people as notions of royalty, privilege and submission are foreign to modern-day civic republicanism or constitutional monarchy tempered by a strong liberal democracy and equality before the law – at least in principle.  The idea of royalty only arrives late in the history of Israel in the Hebrew scriptures. God reluctantly agreed to making Saul a king (1 Samuel 8). To put it mildly, the behaviour of the various kings that followed was much less than exemplary. In fact, kings, at that time, were very often bullies, immoral and murderous to not put too fine a word on it.  The kings of Israel were almost as bad as if not as bad for much of ancient Jewish history. In this context ‘kingdom talk’ found on the lips of Jesus or in the traditions that followed Jesus’ earthly life must be seen as surprisingly subversive and provocative.

In what sense could Jesus speak of himself as ‘King’? Certainly not in the sense that the term was understood and applied in his time.  Whereas the passage in this Sunday’s reading from the gospel of John is not to be taken as a verbatim transcript of a conversation that happened almost 2,000 years ago we can be sure that somewhere along the line Jesus challenged prevalent notions of royal power and dynasty. He juxtaposed a completely different model and way of ruling based on love, service and justice. One of the reasons Jesus ended up being killed is that he walked, knowingly, into confrontation with the religious and ultimately Roman political authorities with whom the religious were openly collaborating with.  He could have chosen more nuanced language. He could have bit his tongue. He could have curried favours with the ‘powers-that-be’. He could have checked what he said with some legal experts to avoid lawsuits over defamation and libel. He could have avoided making a scene in Jerusalem and especially in the Temple. In fact, he could have stuck to the pious teaching, performed a few miracles and healings and generally led a quiet, sheltered life and not transgressed particular boundaries where the Sabbath, or purity laws or other conventions were concerned.

But this was not Jesus’ way.

His rule is one based on real love. It is a reign of profound gentleness, utter kindness and a loving and free invitation. In other words, it is a type of reigning with which we are very unfamiliar.  However, there is a chance that we can find the spark within us where the Risen Jesus is mysteriously present ever and always.  The first in-breaking of the Kingdom starts with its out-breaking in my heart and your heart and someone else’s heart. Where two or three are sincerely gathered in his name and united in his love there is the Kingdom right now, in our midst.

We have one sure goal - through all the twists and turns of life and through the experiences of earthly kingdoms that oppress not just in palaces but, sometimes, in places of gathering, of worship and at family tables. That light, that truth and that goodness is for each a possibility of witness and life fulfilment. Everyone without exception has some light, some spark of truth and some unique gift to make. Let’s not put obstacles in the way of others so that, truly, at the end of each person’s life they can say:

For this I was born and for this I came into the world.

Regardless of sex, age and religion is everyone’s unique talent acknowledged, affirmed and put to good?