SO MANY CROWNS

 

November 27, 2023

 

"Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Hark how the heav'nly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

"Crown Him the Lord of heav'n, enthroned in worlds above, Crown Him the King to whom is giv'n the wondrous name of Love. Crown Him with many crowns as thrones before Him fall; Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all."

Although there may be few such rulers in our world today, kings most often come into their kingship because of the death of the previous monarch. We witnessed this with the death of Queen Elizabeth, and the immediate ascending to the throne of her son, Prince Charles in 2022. In other circumstances, as in ancient times, a king might take up his reign after conquering his enemies and taking their territories as his own.

Jesus, the "Lamb of God", came into His kingship by way of suffering and dying. As we reflected on yesterday in our service, Jesus was crowned, not with gold, but with thorns. He was lifted up, not on a throne, but on a cross. His kingship was mocked by the sign posted above His head, a warning to others who desired kingly power: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19b). Jesus the King died and was buried, not with great ceremony as might be done for a monarch, (again think of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral) but in haste because of the nearness of the Sabbath day. On the third day after His death, Jesus the King appeared in triumph over death, a victory no earthly king, however powerful, could claim. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered His adversaries, our enemies, sin, death, and the devil, as many of the creeds put it. Our risen and exalted One ascended to reign in splendour and glory and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Bible tells us that Saints and angels celebrated as the King of Kings received His throne: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever," says Revelation 11:15b.

The verses of the hymn above celebrates the "many crowns" of the Lamb who was slain for us. Jesus is crowned as the virgin's Son who, even though He was God, humbled Himself, taking on our human flesh to be born among us, or as John’s gospel describes it Jesus “pitched his tent among us.”  Jesus is crowned as the Lord of love, who carried our sins in His body on the cross. “He who knew no sin, took our sins upon himself, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21) He receives a crown as the Lord of life because He conquered death to gain eternal life for us. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him," declared Peter in Acts 2:24. Ephesians 1:21ff says that God seated him (Jesus) at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Finally, Jesus is crowned as the Lord of heaven, the One to whom all authority is given. So many crowns! Yet all of these crowns are hardly enough to reflect the power and glory and grace and love and mercy of our King Jesus, who will one day present to each of His faithful followers the crown of life. Paul articulated the promise best, “there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

“Thanks be to God, for his incredible gift to us in Christ Jesus our Lord” Amen.