Kings - Part Deux

I didn’t plan to stay on the subject of “kings” again this week. Yet, after spending three days in post-coronation London and now history-rich France, the topic is hard to escape.

There are many different opinions and perspectives on the value and history of kings. The issue brings me back to 1 Samuel where the people of Israel had no “man king” and began to demand one. Their true king was God but they wanted a “man king” that they could see - one who could protect and care for them. All of the threatening nations around them had kings so they wanted one as well. Basically, they were choosing to live by sight instead of faith.

The English, along with their fellow Commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada, have a man King. They may not fully understand what he does but I imagine that they take some comfort in a Monarchy that they can see. It’s definitely part of the culture whereas matters of the faith seem to be of declining interest.

The French used to have kings but the people decided that they didn’t want them anymore. The last monarchy was overthrown in the French Revolution in 1793. King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antionette lost their lives as a result.

The picture above is from a cathedral that we visited tonight for a concert - Sainte Chapelle. It was built in 1248 and has some of the most incredible stained glass in the world depicting scenes all throughout the Bible. There were 22 holy relics kept there for centuries including what was believed to be the crown of thorns, fragments of the Jesus’s cross and Moses’s staff. What is left has since been moved to the nearby Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Despite the incredibly rich spiritual history of Sainte Chapelle, they no longer hold any worship services held there. It was been completely secularized despite housing some of the most treasured Christian artifacts in the world for centuries. It has gone the way of many places of worship in Europe - now museums and concert halls.

Christianity requires a life of faith that puts our trust in One we cannot see. Some have a “belief” barrier to our faith. They only want to trust in things they think can be seen like image, money or power. Others have a “lordship” barrier that keeps them from submitting their will to anyone but themselves. Both are obstacles that have to be overcome to have a saving faith.

As I was sitting in the concert, amidst all of the Biblical images in the stained glass, it reminded me of this truth - our life of faith should reveal King Jesus to others. Others should be able to see glimpses of Him in us since we are now made in His image. A saving faith will produce this fruit in our lives. We truly have a King that can be seen after all.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6