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Verse:“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” —Revelation 11:15, NIV
The coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom in May 2023 attracted attention around the world. In London, cheering crowds lined the streets to celebrate and share in the pomp and pageantry associated with the event.
The coronation service itself is steeped in history, based on rituals going back almost a thousand years. It is essentially a solemn religious occasion, with hymns, Scripture readings, and a sermon, as well as the anointing, consecration, and crowning of the monarch. One aspect that caught my attention as I watched the telecast was that on entering Westminster Abbey, King Charles was greeted by a young chorister with the words: “Your Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in the name of the King of kings.” King Charles replied: “In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve,”* echoing Jesus’ words in Mark 10:45. There is no doubt that King Charles has already given many years of service and will continue to serve the people over whom he reigns. And yet, once the rituals were over, the king and queen returned to their palace. Jesus’ service, on the other hand, involved an act of astonishing love and condescension—He gave up His heavenly throne to become a lowly human being in order to serve and save humanity. The apostle Paul highlights Jesus’ humility in taking on the status of a servant and dying on the cross in obedience to His Father’s will (Philippians 2:6–8). The wonderful news is that our Servant King rose again, and “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (verse 9, NIV).
By His grace, I hope to be among the vast heavenly throng celebrating our Savior King and singing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12, NIV).
Will you be there too?
Jennifer M. Baldwin
* “The Coronation Service—Order of Service,” Royal Household, May 6, 2023, https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-05/The Coronation Order of Service.pdf.