It has been a little more than a week since the election. I have talked to JCPC members - some gave me high fives while others were in tears. Certainly the outcome of the election seemed like a shock to everyone. I know many ministers preached about this last Sunday, but since we had a guest preacher for Brian's installation service, I knew I had to wait. That was probably a good thing because for some of us, the emotions were still very raw last week.
In our church year or liturgical year, this Sunday is called "Christ the King" Sunday. We order our time around Easter and Christmas - focusing on the resurrection of Jesus and his birth or incarnation. We have two seasons of preparation before each one - Lent and Advent. But one Sunday a year we consider what it means in our day and time that "Christ is King." Since we have just elected the next president, which is our version of a king, it is timely for us to consider this.
This Sunday I want to talk about this question: "So, Who's In Charge, Now?" The Bible story we plan to start with is from John 18:28-40. I hope you will read it this week. It tells of the trial of Jesus and his encounter with Pontius Pilate. Pilate asks Jesus if Jesus is a king. Jesus answers with some insight I believe we all need to hear. It even evolves into an even bigger question: "What is truth?" In a world in which we struggle to know who is really in charge and how that might affect us, those we care about, and those who live on the other side of the world - we need some wisdom that can guide us in living our lives here and now.
Since so many are struggling with these issues, I hope you will invite someone to join you this Sunday. I believe people are especially open at this time to find some hope-filled answers to these questions. See you Sunday!
Prayer for Today
Gracious Lord, we are facing difficult times in our lives and in the life of our nation. We need your wisdom and truth to help us find our way forward. Open our hearts and minds this day so that we might hear your still, small voice. Help us to hear your words and live them out in the way we love one another. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus -- the King of your world! Amen.
