No! This is not a Christmas Message, but about three other kings.
When King David announced that his son Solomon would take over from him, he set Solomon on a mule and paraded him before the people. King Solomon’s reign started so brilliantly, but ended in disaster as Israel fell into civil war.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. There was a great parade, with people hailing Him ‘King of Israel’ and singing ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’. But within a week He was given a crown of thorns and it was thought His short reign also ended in disaster. But by rising from the dead He conquered the greatest two enemies which afflict us all: sin and death.
And soon Charles III will parade before people, riding neither a mule nor a donkey, but sitting in a golden carriage pulled by two magnificent horses. And the crown he shall wear will not be one of thorns, but one containing 444 gems, including rubies and sapphires. And, unlike Solomon and Jesus, King Charles will have no real power – not even the right to vote.
However, he has been around a long time and has many contacts throughout the world. His mother wielded great ‘soft power’ and he has been building up his. After all, he was years ahead of his time when he expressed concerns about the environment.
The Apostle Paul gave the young man Timothy many instruction, including “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
In a democratic monarchy, the monarch has little, if any, authority. None-the-less, I shall be praying for him … and hope you will join me.
Michael Penny, Chair of Churches Together in Reading and Berkshire.
