Sunday Worship
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sunday before Advent, and the Feast of Christ the King. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "The King of Love My Shepherd is"
Today's Gospel
John 18:33-37 Jesus Before Pilate
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Reflection
“You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Today we celebrate Christ the King. But King of what or where?
It is clear from Pilate’s question that Pilate is thinking in earthly terms of a king, like the Roman emperors. He sees a kingdom like an empire that is ruled by those with power and authority and status, based on wealth and might.
A king would have armies to conquer and rule others.
We should remember that in Jesus’ time, Jerusalem and the Middle East were ruled by the Roman Empire. The Jewish people, although no longer in exile, were living in occupied territory ruled by the invading Romans.
But Jesus’ kingdom and power are based on truth and love.
Jesus is a divine king who comes from God - the ultimate king, maker and ruler of all that is seen and unseen.
Jesus comes with humility and power as the Servant King, who wants to capture our hearts rather than our land and possessions. A king who wants to conquer, not people and lands with swords and spears or bombs and drones - rather He wants to conquer our hearts and minds with love, compassion and truth.
A love for us. He didn’t come to pander to the wealthy and powerful, but to walk humbly with the poor and excluded.
Jesus calls us to build God’s kingdom on earth by following His example.
He calls us to care for and love one another, rather than to make war and fight.
He calls us to be compassionate and share what we have, rather than selfishly ignoring the suffering or plight of the needy.
He calls us to help one another, rather than help ourselves.
We may think at times that we are in control of our own destiny and that we have the right to do as we please. But when we put ourselves first, we are making a choice to put the earthly kingdom before the heavenly kingdom.
We may deceive ourselves that everything we have is a result of our own hard work. But everything we have is by the grace of God.
When we are in Christ’s presence, we should feel a sense of humility. Christ is our friend and our redeemer, but we can only appreciate His friendship when we acknowledge that he is our King, our Saviour and our Lord.
So let us follow Jesus as our King of love until He returns to complete what He has started, and fully establishes His kingdom here on earth.
As the hymn says……….
He is the king of love, I’ll nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever.
Paul
Our Prayers
Our prayers for Christ the King come from Faye Rowlands, aka Mother Clanger.
