11/26/2023 Christ the King Sunday

THE CHRISTIAN WAITS

In his gospel, Matthew has a fivefold emphasis on the world not knowing when the Son of Man will come again (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44, 50; 25:13). The Christian waits for the second coming with eager anticipation and with knowledge that informs our life in the end time.

JOYFUL IN OUR KING

Lord, keep us joyful in Christ our King! On this final Sunday of the church year, we rejoice in the fulfillment of God's plan for our salvation through Christ our King. We rejoice because Christ our King reigns-the King who once came as a sacrifice; the King who still shepherds us day by day; the King who one day will conquer all our enemies. Rejoice in his reign and look forward to the day when every knee will bow with us before the King of kings and Lord of lords!

The festival of Christ the King was instituted by Pope Pious XI in 1925 to combat what he considered the destructive forces of the age: the rise of the Bolsheviks in Russia, fascism in Italy, confiscation of the Papal States, and materialism generally (Pfatteicher, 296). The celebration meant to assure and comfort the church that Jesus was still in control. While the church celebrated the coronation of Christ as King at the festival of Ascension, today we see what kind of king we have: one who reigns from the cross.

God bless your worship.

Pastor Adam Mueller will preach on 1 Corinthians 15:20–28; “One Down, Two to Go“

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