This feast is a relatively modern Roman Catholic one dating only from 1925 initiated by Pope Pius XI. It has been adopted in more recent times by Anglo-Catholics. Saint Luke tells us that at the Annunciation the Angel Gabriel told Mary “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
When Jesus began his ministry in Galilee he proclaimed “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mark 1:15). He taught his disciples to pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”. Submission to God’s will is the rule of the Kingdom “on earth as it is in Heaven”. At His trial before Pilate Jesus replied “My kingdom is not of this world” and the superscription on the Cross read “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. In his vision Saint John the Divine saw the King, the Risen Christ enthroned in Heaven with “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” written on his garment. A phrase unforgettably rendered by Handel in the Hallelujah Chorus “for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev.17.14).
This is the biblical background to the famous Ghent altarpiece, a copy of which is in the chancel of Colemere Church. The top centre panel depicts Christ enthroned as King of Kings with his hand raised in blessing. The two bent fingers indicate his two natures of Christ, those of God and man, and the remaining three fingers indicate the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The crown of an earthly king lies at his feet.
Christopher Jobson
Feature Image: Saint_Michael_Church_(Kalida,Ohio)-_Christ_the_King_window. P.D.