Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100:1-5
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
I think for many of us, but I can really only speak for myself, when I hear the word King it brings all sorts of images to my mind. We don’t live in a monarchy society and I suspect most of us have not lived in one in the past. Some of the things that come to mind for me when I hear King are, the Kings in Jordan or Saudi Arabia. How about King Hennery the VII of England or the legend of King Arthur?
Ideally, what do we expect of a King towards his subjects? Ideally I think of a King that has builds a castle to protect his people. They live freely outside of the castle walls but are sheltered when problems arise. The King cares for the people and brings them close to him for their protection. The king is a provider.
Today’s readings first start off with language equating God as a Shepherd of God’s flock. God seeks out the lost sheep, rescues the sheep and provides them with rich pastures to feed upon. The Shepherd will care for the injured and will strengthen them. The transition between Shepherd and King starts, when we hear that David will be the prince among all the Sheep.
David is among the sheep; he is one of God’s sheep. David, was a king anointed to be the king of the Israelites in 1011 BC. David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons. David was the one tending sheep when the Lord told Samuel to anoint him. A shepherd, anointed to be king.
David, having the Spirit of the Lord upon him, did many great things for the people of God. He also did some very terrible things. David was a human like you and I, born of human parents, to lead humans, even with all of his flaws.
I know, David as King sounds great, but he might sound awful to. David unites the two kingdoms, rules over one united kingdom with Jerusalem as the capital. David was also the same king that had an affair with Bathsheba who becomes pregnant with David’s child. To cover his deeds, he sends Bathsheba’s husband to the front lines of a war. If that was not enough, David instructed others to fall back and allow Bethesda’s husband to be struck down while fighting. Not exactly the kind of king I would want.
Here is some good news for you. From the line of David, there is another king. This king is all that is just and pure. This king is human too but this king is also the divine incarnation of the Son of God. Sent by the Father, to be born of a virgin, being 100% human and 100% divine, pure, just and free from sin. This human and divine king gives His all for His fellow humans, not just some but all of humanity.
Jesus Christ, gave his life so that in His death and resurrection, we might live and defeat death. We can trust that this King, through His death and resurrection, has united us with Him through His human flesh and united us with his divinity. He being both human and divine, we become brothers and sisters with Christ.
The King, Jesus Christ, a king in the line of David, now is our King, our protector, and provider. Jesus fulfills all that is good of being a king, without sin. Our King who sits at the right hand of the Father, will come again. When He does, he will seek out His sheep. His sheep will be blessed and receive the kingdom that has been prepared from the foundation of the world.
Who are the sheep? The righteous, are the sheep of Jesus. Made righteous through His death and resurrection. Righteousness is available for all. “…God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because [they have] not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”[1]
Our crucified King, Jesus Christ comes to us, seeks us out even in our darkest times. Our king protects us, loves us, and provides for us. We believe, we respond to our King. How do we respond to our Lord, our Shepherd our just and pure King?
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ [2]
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Jn 3:17–18.
[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Mt 25:35–40.