‘The noise of the Day of the Lord is bitter!’ (Zeph.1:14)
The Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King, Nov. 24, 2002
Ezek. 34:11-17; Psalm 95:1-7; 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Matt. 25:31-46
If history were stretched alongside the liturgical year, today we can stand on tiptoe and see into events of eternity. As we strain to take in what unfolds, we behold the Lord Jesus Christ in the center of it all. More specifically, we see him as presiding over all the history which we have just completed.
The lessons show a composite of Christ in glory, the one who offers salvation and executes final judgment over the world he created.
In the psalm David likens the salvation of Christ to a rock so secure that we are forever safe standing on it (Psalm 95:1). No valley or mountain peak lies outside his power and sight. Likewise, as the sheep of his pasture, no shadow or deep recess of our lives escapes his care and redemption (95:4,5,7).
Paul points our vision to death and resurrection. We know the certainty of death as ending each and every life; now Paul displays our life after death.
He lifts us to see over the curtain of time to show the full victory of Jesus over our last enemy — death. We live by hope that as we breathe our last, we will one day be awakened from death to new life. Paul lets us see how that hope will become reality. Jesus, though eternally alive in the Father’s presence, also lives as the first fruit of all believers. As we await the last day in faith, we too will be raised like him and presented to his Father (1 Cor. 15:20, 24, 26).
Matthew’s parable shows Christ as the one to whom "has been given all authority in heaven and earth" (Matt. 28:19). We see him and his glory in several settings.
In this life "he had no place to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20), but now he is on his rightful throne. In this life he came not to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28), but now he is in his glory. In this life he submitted to centurions and Pharisees, but now his angels have come to surround him.
Standing before him are the nations of the world, to whom he has told us to go and make disciples. Only to the degree we are obedient have they had the opportunity of repentance and faith.
The final display of his rightful power and authority come in the judgment he alone can mete out, some to eternal punishment and others to eternal life. The judgment comes according to compassion, especially to his evangelists who are closely identified with him (Matt. 10:40; 25:40,45)
How appropriate to end this season with a call to worship: "O come and sing, rejoice, give thanks, kneel, and stand in awe of him, for we are the sheep of his pasture!" (Psalm 95).
Look It Up
How do these lessons sharpen the edges of what defines our hope?
Think About It
The collect, Ezekiel, and Matthew all speak of God’s plan for the nations. What is a "nation" and how will God have disciples in every nation?
Next Sunday
The First Sunday in Advent, December 1, 2002
Isaiah 64:1-9a; Psalm 80 or 80:1-7; 1 Cor. 1:1-9; Mark 13:(24-32) 33-37
