"King Jesus the Disguised"

Mark Galli, of "Christianity Today," shares a thoughtful reflection on what it means to call Jesus "King."

Here's an excerpt:

"...At other times, we think of King Jesus as British royalty, something akin to Queen Elizabeth the Figurehead. Americans remain fascinated with the English royal scene, especially the pomp and circumstance that goes with it. I still recall our country's enthusiasm for the wedding of Prince Charles and soon-to-be Princess Diana. It was a magnificent ceremony in one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals, St. Paul's. Some 750 million watched on TV, and millions of those were Americans glued to their sets in the wee hours of the morning. The apparel and music and liturgy were rich with color and texture and brilliance. We ate it up. We're so fascinated with British royalty, we even think the changing of the guards is pretty cool.

"But if Queen Elizabeth were to issue a directive, ordering us to pay taxes to help with the upkeep of Windsor Castle, we'd politely, or not so politely, decline: 'Are you kidding? Who do you think you are? We learned long ago—in 1776 to be exact—how to manage our lives without you.'

"This, of course, is a continuing temptation for those of us who love the 'pomp and circumstance' of worshipping King Jesus—both high-church Anglicans who relish fine robes, classical music, and exquisite liturgy and low-church Pentecostals mesmerized by praise choruses and miraculous gifts. But on Monday morning, when the very King we've worshiped taps us on the shoulder and says, 'How about forgiving that co-worker? Or giving up that nasty habit? Or volunteering at the food closet?' we're tempted to respond, 'Are you kidding? Who do you think you are? I learned long ago how to manage my life without your continual interference.' It's hard to honor and obey Jesus if we think of him as Queen Elizabeth the Figurehead...."