Christ The King / Proper 29
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Object:
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch....
-- Jeremiah 23:5a
The promise of a messiah from the line of David was a continuing theme of the prophets. While Jeremiah agonized over the fate of his nation, he remained confident of the power of God to save. For Jeremiah, the rulers had failed because they had been preoccupied with themselves and their own well-being and neglected the people. The parallel to the struggle within the contemporary church is unnerving. How often have we failed God because we have become so preoccupied with saving our institution or our own positions that we have neglected to feed the people? The temptation faced by Jesus on the cross was, "If you are king of the Jews, save yourself...." But the true shepherd does not manipulate the powers to serve himself but rather is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the people.
In this, the true messiah embodies God's righteousness. The thief on the cross in Luke 23:33-43 was like one of the scattered sheep. He recognized the righteousness of God in Jesus who was willing to suffer. By doing so, he was invited back into paradise. The body of Christ recognizes Christ as our king and follows a shepherd that was willing to lay down his life for others. This king rules by serving and invites obedience because at last we see one who is committed to our well-being.
-- Jeremiah 23:5a
The promise of a messiah from the line of David was a continuing theme of the prophets. While Jeremiah agonized over the fate of his nation, he remained confident of the power of God to save. For Jeremiah, the rulers had failed because they had been preoccupied with themselves and their own well-being and neglected the people. The parallel to the struggle within the contemporary church is unnerving. How often have we failed God because we have become so preoccupied with saving our institution or our own positions that we have neglected to feed the people? The temptation faced by Jesus on the cross was, "If you are king of the Jews, save yourself...." But the true shepherd does not manipulate the powers to serve himself but rather is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the people.
In this, the true messiah embodies God's righteousness. The thief on the cross in Luke 23:33-43 was like one of the scattered sheep. He recognized the righteousness of God in Jesus who was willing to suffer. By doing so, he was invited back into paradise. The body of Christ recognizes Christ as our king and follows a shepherd that was willing to lay down his life for others. This king rules by serving and invites obedience because at last we see one who is committed to our well-being.
