King Henry VIII’s title: “Henry the Eighth, by the Grace of God, King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and also of Ireland in Earth Supreme Head.” A lot to remember, but relatively short when considering the late Prince Philip’s title consisted of 133 words.
The Royals. The British monarchy seems to have lost something since the death of Queen Elizabeth, but their lives are still interesting and, when you dig a little below the surface, a bit odd.
It is fairly common knowledge that you don’t touch a member of the royal family unless initiated by one of them, and then only a handshake, and that the King is not required to have a driver’s license. However, other aspects of their lives…
Everyone must weigh in before and after the meal when invited to Christmas dinner. According to Edward VII, who set the rule, you didn’t have fun if you didn’t gain any weight.
Queen Elizabeth had someone break in her shoes. According to an aide, “a flunky wears in Her Majesty’s shoes to ensure that they are comfortable and that she is always good to go.” However, it seems that Charles is a bit more prissy; after each wearing, someone must iron his shoelaces.
So that Charles does not become overtaxed too early in the day, he requires his valet to “squeeze one inch of toothpaste onto his toothbrush every morning.”
That’s only the beginning of oddities, but all this to say, “It really is good to be King (or Queen.)” It also proves the point of the prophets of Israel who told the people, “You really don’t want a king.”
We’ve been studying the Book of Judges on Sunday mornings and recently been covering Gideon. We’re soon going to learn that after a great victory, the people want to make Gideon their king, but Gideon says to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” (Judges 8:23) However, during Gideon’s lifetime, he had seventy sons (more than one wife.) Two of the sons were Jotham and Abimelech. Jotham was good, Abimelech, not so much. After the death of Gideon, Abimelech decided that he did, in fact, want to be king. Concerned that one of his sixty-nine brothers might have similar ideas, he murdered them all except Jotham, who was in hiding.
On the day of Abimilech’s installation as king, Jotham came out of hiding and prophesied against Abimilech and his followers. Jotham told them a parable, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’” (Judges 9:7b-15)
In the parable, the fig tree and the vine represent men who would have made good leaders for the people. Yet, like Gideon, the others recognized that they were doing good in their current position. They also recognized that the best king the people could have was the Lord, so they refused the position. However, the thornbush—Abimelech—thought he should be king despite his father’s promise that none of his sons would serve as king. When you think of the bramble or thornbush, you know that it grows through the forest, living off the life of the other trees. Eventually, it chokes the life out of them. In saying this, Jotham is saying that Abimelech will be a king who lives off the wealth of the others until he will choke the life out of them. If they do not submit to him, fire will come out of the thornbush and consume. In other words, if they do not submit, Abimelech will make war against them and destroy them completely.
Jotham was imploring the people to submit to the reign of the King of Heaven so that the would-be King Abimelech would not destroy them. The people did not listen, and it happened as Jotham had prophesied. Abimelech was eventually killed in battle, but the idea of having a king never left the people. Later, they would ask again for one, and after warning them, the Lord allowed it. Over 450 years, Israel would have forty different kings and great turmoil. Wars amongst themselves, political murders, coups, and more. It all led to the eventual destruction of everything in 70 A.D.
Having a monarch or even elected officials that act like it is never a good idea, and like with the Israelites, it never works out. They may start with good intentions, but the lure of more power, corruption, outside influences, jealousy, and whatnot cause them to fall to pieces in the end. If we were to take all of these problems and roll them into one biblical word, that word would be “evil.” Why does the evil flourish under such circumstances? Because God is placed on the sideline, and human interests and desires are raised up as new gods worthy of our devotion and attention.
In 1925, having witnessed the ravages of World War I and the work of earthly kings, Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Quas Primas—translated “In the First.” Pius writes, “In my first letter…I referred to the chief causes of the difficulties under which mankind was laboring. I remember saying that these manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: I said further, that as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations. Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ…. In the Kingdom of Christ, that is, it seemed to me that peace could not be more effectually restored nor fixed upon a firmer basis than through the restoration of the Empire of Our Lord.” (Source)
Abimilech’s little kingdom and the Kingdoms of Israel didn’t work out. A survey of history easily demonstrates that no kingdom has ever truly survived, except maybe in name. So what is the world to do? Pius suggested we establish the Empire of Our Lord. He suggests that we make Christ the King! Quas Primas established the feast day that we celebrate today—Christ the King and what it suggests is quite radical, but as Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36a)
Jesus, Pius, and the Church have always taught us that we, as a Christian people, are not looking for earthly rule. As has been proven, that does not work. So, instead, we seek to have Christ Jesus rule in the hearts of all people. To allow the King of Kings to instruct us and to guide and direct us daily. When we do this, we put something much larger than ourselves into motion. As the Lord begins to rule in our lives, then he begins to rule in our families. When He rules in our families, then His influence and reign can begin to extend beyond us into those around us. As His Kingdom expands, the Empire of Our Lord becomes a reality.
We are free to fight it and deny it, but in the end, Christ will rule over all—the righteous and the unrighteous, for as St. Paul tells us, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
There will always be many persons and things that seek to reign over your life. Abimelechs of a sort that would have you submit to them. Resist them and bend your knee only to the one who died for you and rose again. Confess Jesus as Lord of your life that He might lead you into His Eternal Kingdom.
Let us pray: Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Candle in a Cave 