Last Sunday of the Church Year (Proper 29): Christ the King, November 24, 2024
The Clash of the Kingdoms Text: Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14
Other Lessons: Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b–8; John 18:33–37
Sermon Theme: Christ’s kingdom supersedes all human kingdoms.
Sermon Goal: That hearers are encouraged to work in Christ’s kingdom despite the many challenges from the kingdoms of the world. Based on a sermon outline by Dr. Joel D. Heck as printed in Concordia Pulpit Resources,
This Sunday culminates the church half of the church year; Advent, beginning next Sunday, will begin the Lord’s half of the new church year. We think of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Messiah, the ruler of all things. (The prayer before placing the crown on the head of Charles III included an acknowledgement of God as the King of kings). Christ’s reign will culminate in the full establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah in eternity. Christ came the first time as a baby, but he will come a second time as judge and king over all the earth.
But Daniel sees a glorious kingdom coming from out of this world: the messianic kingdom (vv 9–10, 13–14). This kingdom is ushered in by the King of kings. Clothing as white as snow stands for purity. Fire stands for judgment and the presence of God. There can be no doubt this “one like a son of man” is the Son of God (v 13). The “Ancient of Days,” God the Father, gives him the kingdom (v 13). All nations worship him. Jesus himself would use the term “Son of Man” for himself far more than any other title—even during his trial (Mk 14:61–62). All dominion has been given to the Son of Man. Both worldly kingdoms and the kingdom of God are derived from God’s authority. But there are huge differences between these kingdoms: Human authority covers some territory, but God’s authority is universal (v 14a). Human authority is time limited, but God’s kingdom is eternal (v 14b). Human authority will be taken away, but God’s authority will not (v 14c). The clash of these kingdoms—the worldly versus the messianic—will ultimately be no contest. The ultimate clash was decided on the cross. The prince of this world, Satan, brought his most powerful weapon to bear: death. But the messianic King triumphed over death. Satan was powerless to hold the “one like a son of man,” Jesus. Now the reign of Christ the King will be evident to all at his second coming. “All peoples, nations, and languages” shall most certainly serve him (v 13) That will include not only those who believed and will receive him with joy, but also those who denied or ignored or fought against him to the death and will then be forced to bow the knee before him (Rev 1:7; Phil 2:10–11). His dominion “shall not pass away,” and his kingdom “shall not be destroyed” (v 14). Society often rejects the transcendent values of the kingdom of God. But we remain committed to the principle that we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). We will struggle within each of our human kingdoms (Jn 16:33), but God assures us that he is with us (Mt 28:20) in the person of Jesus. Under whatever kingdoms we live, and whichever “kingdoms” influence us, this is always our assurance: the King of kings rules over all things, always for our good. On this, even the liturgy at the coronation of Charles III got it right. Just before he placed the crown on Charles’s head, the archbishop prayed: “King of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, supreme over all things, one God, world without end” (The Church of England, The Coronation of King Charles III, May 2023)
Amen.