Christ the King Sunday
…Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:4-8 (NIV)
Imagine knowing the end of the story before it unfolds. As we come to the end of our worship calendar for the year, we celebrate the victory that Jesus has already secured for us. His kingdom will reign forever, and this truth illuminates our path like the first light of dawn. And next week, we begin again with the anticipation of Advent, marking the start of a new liturgical cycle.
Christ the King Sunday is a significant feast that emphasises the sovereignty and lordship of Christ over all creation. From the towering mountains to the vast oceans, all of nature proclaims his majesty.
Throughout history, kings and queens have ruled over nations, but their reigns are temporary and limited. In contrast, the reign of Christ is eternal and encompasses all of heaven and earth.
Today, on Christ the King Sunday, we celebrate the culmination of the Christian liturgical year. Throughout the seasons, Jesus is at the centre of it all: entering our world in Advent, ministering to all people in Epiphany, saving us in Easter Preparation, rising in glory at Easter, sending the Spirit at Pentecost, and building his church in Ordinary Time. This day marks the end of our journey through these seasons and brings us to a crowning conclusion: Jesus is King.
Our journey through the seasons, and everything in between has led us to this moment. Each season has prepared us to recognise and honour Jesus not just as our Saviour, but as our King.
The Reign of Christ Sunday serves as a reminder that Jesus’ authority extends over every aspect of our lives and all of creation. He invites us to reign with him in eternity, sharing in his glorious kingdom.
Christ’s kingship is not bound by cultural or geographical boundaries. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, reigning over every nation and every people.
As we gather to worship and honour Christ the King, we are united in our recognition of his ultimate authority and our commitment to follow him. Together, we acknowledge his reign and look forward to his eternal kingdom.
As we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, let us come together in worship, lifting our voices and hearts to the one who reigns supreme over all.
This study is the transcript of an equipping video to empower and inspire Grace Communion International congregations around the world to live and share the gospel. It has been produced by the Home Office Team in Charlotte, NC, USA, and was first published in the 1 October 2024 edition of the Equipper publication.
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