Sorry this is late. I'll try to do better in future.
Song: The King of Love my shepherd is
This is a time of year when we think of kings. The Christmas story contains the three wise men, or Magi, who are traditionally referred to as Kings in the nativity plays of our schools, and many of our carols.
Of course, in the U.K., we are also thinking about kings, we anticipate that our new king, Charles III will be crowned on the 6th May 2023 (D.V.). It has been said that he is the man with the longest apprenticeship in history!
In the past, when people were looking for work, they would look in the, local paper for the “Situations Vacant” adverts to see what was available. Is Sheffield, this was the “Star” on a Thursday. If we read the advert, or asked for the further details, there would be a job specification, saying what the successful applicant would need to be able to do.
What is the job spec. of a king? What characteristics would we want him to have? Our congregation at Mayfield came up with a few suggestions when asked this: Young, Patient, Christian, Wisdom and Sociable. The ability to get on with everyone, from world leaders of all types, to the “man (or woman) in the street”
Our reading contains a potential job spec. for a king.
Reading: Psalm 72
Song: From Heaven you came
From Heaven You Came Helpless Babe (The Servant King) (Singing the Faith 272 / StF 272) - YouTube
Prayer:
Lord, at the moment there are many things on our minds;
The war in Ukraine, where citizens are suffering, bystanders, the young, the refugees, and the elderly. We pray for all affected, on both sides, those who mourn and those who suffer. We pray for peace.
The situation in Taiwan, and the potential for confrontation. We pray that this will not descend into war And chaos.
International trade, we pray that food and fuel may continue to flow freely, to avoid shortages.
Afghanistan, apparently forgotten, no longer in the news, but still a place of suffering, we pray for the work of the relief agencies who are working to alleviate the problems.
Our own country, we pray that people can afford to live, and that they may not haven to choose between food and fuel this winter.
Across them world, we pray that health services may be properly funded and resourced so that all may have access.
Amen.
Of course, Psalm 72 is a prophecy of the characteristics of Jesus, but could it refer to King Charles III, or indeed the monarch or leader or any other country?
As king, Jesus is set apart from us, he is with God and the angels, and yet he moves among us. As king, Jesus threatened Herod and the others on a path that led to the cross. He put his personal interests second to his job spec.
The king should administer God’s justice and righteousness, not his, you notice, God’s. He is the servant of the Lord, doing God’s work. Justice for the poor.
In verse 3, the king is urged to live in harmony with the land, this could have been written for Charles with his well known interest in green issue.
In verse 4, the king is urged to defend the afflicted from the oppressor. The king should look after the people, take care of them, overcome those who would oppress them.
Although the modern king has little power, he has great influence. King Charles III will have the ear of the prime minister every week.
We look for Charles to share his faith, as his mother did before him.
Similarly, we are called to look after the poor and vulnerable.
We want our King to be in the image of the heavenly king.
This is how kings will come to pay homage to him as the psalm prophesies, not because they have been conquered (The traditional reason for paying homage) but because of the justice of his reign.
We pray that Charles may live up to this job spec, and that we also may be worthy members of the kingdom.
Song: Crown Him with many crowns
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