This reflection was published in the November issue of Living with Christ (Philippine Edition).
In this time and age, kings belong to the realm of the imaginary, of fairy tales and legendary stories. Rarely do we encounter kings who rule over people in terms of civil governance and political power. Nonetheless, we have a classic image of what a king is: a crown on gold on his head, a royal staff in his hands, fine garments decked with jewels as his dress, and a lofty regal throne as his seat of influence and authority.
But Jesus had a different understanding of what it means to be a king. On his head was a crown of thorns, not of gold. In his hands were nails pierced to his flesh, not a royal staff. In his body was blood poured for our salvation, not fine garments decked with jewels. Behind him was a heavy wooden cross, not a lofty regal throne. In his kingdom, compassion and salvation were prime priorities, not the expansion of territory or material prosperity. He came to serve, not to be served. He was available to all, not to a chosen few.
The life, mission, and message of Jesus, which culminated in his passion, death, and resurrection, portray what a true king does and lives by: defending the dignity of the human person, standing for the truth, and serving with integrity and fidelity. The real king is not adorned in gold, but Christ on the cross.
