One of the ironies of the Christian faith is that the One who was born in a manger, claimed no earthly wealth or position, and died a criminal’s death, is frequently known by a title He neither requested, sought, nor claimed: King of Kings.

This Sunday Christians around the world will commemorate the various ways Christ’s Lordship is remembered, as King of Israel, (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11), King of Ages (1 Tim 6:15), and King Eternal (1 Tim 1:17).  Formalized by the Pope in 1925, as the Church’s reminder to earthly rulers of the Lord’s preeminence, this Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, reminds us of the ways God desires to rule in our lives today.

And despite the continued success of Christianity, which has been described as the largest, most vibrant faith in the world and is expected to continue growing, we are wise to point out that the reason behind the royal title is not wealth, power, bragging rights, or the prospect of world domination: but just the opposite, Christianity flourishes as it bows its knee in service. Christ is King because Christ loves, sacrifices, and gives all of himself for the sake of the world.

This week, in rainy West Cornwall, Connecticut, a conference with Episcopal clergy, played host to a renowned theologian, who reminded us of the preeminence of this love and sacrifice.  Yale University’s Miroslav Volf says the most powerful way to preach Christianity is not by well-worded arguments, but by generous living.  The kingship of Christ is found in the ways His followers imitate Jesus by giving freely of themselves.  Christians live out this kingship when they decide not to pursue the love of pleasure, but to seek the pleasure of love.

Not long ago a group of people was given $50 to spend on themselves, a second group was given $50 to spend on others.  Researchers measured their satisfaction and found those who shopped for others came out happier.  We’re not surprised that when we give, when we sacrifice, we are better off, we are happier, we become more of who we were created to be: heirs of a king, who is high and lifted up, only after coming low and bowing down.  May we seek out and find ways that we can do the same.

Reading

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work - Alain de Botton

God is Back - John Micklethwait, Adrian Wooldridg