This weekend on Sunday 24 November, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. The kingdom that Jesus proclaimed was so different to what was expected. His kingdom was about serving others, showing justice, mercy and peace to others, and caring for the poor, the weak, the lonely and the rejected. He calls us to build his kingdom here on earth.

Daniel 7: 13-14

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,^[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

John 18: 33-37

³³ Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

³⁴ “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

³⁵ “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

³⁶ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

³⁷ “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Time to reflect:

• What does a king or queen do? Do they live in a big house or castle?
• What is the lifestyle of a king/queen like? Are they rich?
• Jesus is a king. Was he rich? Did he own a lot?
• Jesus was very poor, and he owned hardly anything.
• He came to serve others not to be served. What did Jesus do to help others?
• Jesus came to serve people so that their lives would be better.
  He was a person of peace, justice and compassion – this is the kind of kingdom
  Jesus wanted for everyone.
• He wants all of us to be peace loving, to show justice to others, to show compassion, mercy and forgiveness, and to treat others as we want to be treated.
• He challenges us to make his kind of kingdom present here on earth.
  How could you do this today in your own lives?
• How can you show justice to others? Compassion? Kindness? Understanding?
• Let us take a few moments in prayer to think about how you could be a kingdom person.

Let us pray today that we can be kingdom builders.

Loving Jesus, you are our king and today we celebrate your kingship.

We thank you for all that you have taught us and pray that we listen to you and follow your ways.

Help us to be kingdom people who willingly serve those most in need. Gracious God, on this day we celebrate Jesus as our king.

May the light of Jesus shine in our hearts and minds so that we may see his presence constantly in our lives guiding us and showing us the way to be kingdom people.

May we listen to his words and imitate his deeds so that we can share in his kingship.

We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen