Boring Kings

And they knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” – Matthew 27:29b (NRSVUE) 

I’m confident Jesus wouldn’t share my devotion to the series: The Crown. In fact, I think Jesus found earthly rulers to be utterly . . . boring. “Render unto Caesar” was practical advice. Not a theological mandate.  

Jesus had such little interest in kings beyond what they might do to the people. Because, you see, when Jesus made his way to that Cross at Calvary … he showed a completely different power.  

Here’s what you need to understand: 

The power at play in the story of Jesus’ death was about the might of a fist. On God’s scale, whatever a fist can do will always be temporary. 

The true power Jesus showed us was the power of love. Which doesn’t end.  

Love walked Jesus from town to town. Love healed the sick and brought comfort to the distressed. Love brought Jesus to his knees in prayer. Love made Jesus weep at the state of Jerusalem. Love walked Jesus down that lonely road, mocked and scorned by a crowd that just didn’t understand. Love brought the women and the beloved one to care for Jesus at the cross. Love buried him whole.  

And love got him up from the grave. Love brought him back that night! 

A king, you see, holds his power for himself, his heirs. But the Messiah—God incarnate, Word made flesh, true God from true God? His power is for everyone’s benefit. For all to share and enjoy.  

“I came to give life and life abundantly,” Jesus said. 

The abundant life is a life that values the power of love above everything else.  

Prayer
Make me spiritually bored with everything inconsequential to you. Thank you for your love, God. Thank you. In Jesus’ name.

About the Author
Kaji Douša is the Senior Pastor of The Park Avenue Christian Church, a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, in New York City.