The Coronation of King Charles III is a major event for the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries of which Charles is the King. In the Bible kings play a major part. The first king of Israel was Saul who was appointed because none of the prophet Samuel’s sons was fit to be king. When the people asked Samuel to appoint a king for them so that they would be like the nations around them he was unhappy because he saw it as a rejection of God. He warned the people that a king would claim his rights from them in demanding their service and taxes. Saul was a bad king and met a disastrous end.
The greatest king of Israel was David. He killed Goliath, the giant Philistine, and led the people in defeating their enemies. He was a man who loved God and honoured him and was described as a man “after God’s own heart”. But he shared in the frailties of all human beings and sinned grievously when he committed adultery with the wife of one of his most faithful soldiers and then arranged for the man to die in battle to cover his sins.
Jesus is the greatest king this world has ever seen, and his life and reign were unique. He is the “King of kings” and his rule brought great blessing to many. The blind received sight, the lame walked, those who had leprosy were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, and good news was proclaimed to the poor. He humbly rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and received acclamation from the crowds. Yet just a few days later the same crowd cried “Crucify him!” King Jesus had come “not be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” His kingdom was not of this world. The criminal dying on a cross next to his asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
After his resurrection and ascension to heaven Jesus has continued to exercise his kingly power and authority. People from many nations have submitted to his gracious rule and entered his kingdom while all earthly kingdoms and empires have fallen. One day “every knee will bow at the name of Jesus, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” As King Charles III is crowned, we pray that his rule will be blessed by God and that God will save the king.