THE LOVE OF THE KING

Ezekiel 24:11-16a
Romans 15:4-13

 Last summer, I inadvertently taught my two year old niece a lesson I never wanted her to have to learn this early in her life.  That is that people are going to let you down.

 I was gently pushing her in a home made swing in her grandmother's backyard when she decided to turn around and get out of the swing.  Before I could catch her, she did a belly flop onto the ground.  I tried to catch her, I really did, but I was just too slow.  For the rest of the visit, it was obvious that I had lost her trust.

 Any human being, any human institution, is not perfect, and with or without the best of intentions, will let us down.  

 Is there anyone, any leader who can love us so perfectly that they will never let us down?

My little niece is joyous and daring and on the move every moment.  It amazes, delights and sometimes scares me.  She will fling her little body out into space, confident that she will be caught by an adult or land on something soft.  She trusts in the love of her parents and family.  Unquestioningly, she puts her well-being in the hands of those whom she had been entrusted to.

Well, she did, at least until last summer when her Aunt Lane let her down.  And not everyone who has power or authority in our lives loves us.

In the time in which Paul wrote his letter to the Roman Christians, the Roman emperors insisted that all those who lived under their rule call them, "Lord."  Lord, as in Lord God.  The emperors placed themselves in  the pantheon of gods worshiped by  the peoples Rome had conquered.  As a "god," the emperor, and the emperor alone, was the source of their peace and their salvation.

History tells us that the Roman peace was maintained through brutality and oppression.  Keeping the peace was not about the common good or for the love of the people but rather the system by which the emperors kept their power.

In Romans 15:4-13, the image of the Emperor of the Universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords Paul gives us is in sharp contrast to the reality of the earthly ruler they lived under.  The perfect, unconditional, all inclusive love of God as expressed through the love and rule of Christ.  The Romans Christians, both Jews and Gentiles, had all experienced being welcomed into the family of God and being encouraged and strengthened by the grace of God which brought them true peace and salvation.

The rule of the Kingdom of heaven is laid on a foundation of love that is other-centered, as seen in the humble sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Being a shepherd was one of the lowliness of all jobs in the land of Israel, yet it is this image that Psalmist uses to describe the King of love.

Our shepherd, the Good shepherd, Jesus, makes the well-being of every person in his care his top priority.  If we are a scattered, a divided people, wandering lost and all our own, he does not rest until everyone of us is gathered back, safe and sound.  People are unified under His rule.

Our Shepherd King leads us to places of healing, peace and rest.  There He nurtures us, strengthens us and encourages us as He walks with us even on the rockiest of roads.  In those times when our lives lead us through dark times filled with uncertainty and loss, He is with us.  Out of a love that is beyond our understanding, He never let us down.  Our Shepherd King is by our sides, no matter what, guiding us and protecting us, and even when it seems like chaos and fear rules our world, He brings the light of God's love into the midst of darkness and lights our lives with hope, peace and joy.

Paul's message to the Roman Christians is to love and welcome others as Christ has loved them.

To us, in this season of Advent, it is simple.  Because we have experiences the light of our Lord and King, go.  Be the light.  Share the light.  The world needs the light of the love of the King.






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