• Date: November 24, 2024
• Bible Readings: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; 31:31-34
• The Point: No matter what we do, God promises a renewed relationship with us.
• Free Resource: Weekly Home Devotional (Sharing God’s Story @ Home, NL)
• Unit Theme (October 27—November 24): God Sightings

As we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, we hear the story of a king who rejects God’s message. How does he compare to his father, King Josiah, and the king of kings, Jesus?

Up until Now

Advent is nigh! As strange as it might seem (for me, at least), the season of Advent begins next Sunday. Throughout these last months in the season after Pentecost (or Ordinary Time), we have followed the people of Israel from the very beginning of their story. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah were united under Kings David and Solomon, but they split apart as soon as Solomon’s son Rehoboam took the throne (because he was mean and selfish).

The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam, set up idols within his territory because he was afraid that, if his subjects kept going to the Jerusalem temple to worship, they would join back up with Judah. So, the kings of the northern kingdom rejected God and God’s path “doing evil in the sight of the Lord.” This led to their downfall and destruction by the Assyrian Empire. The kings of Judah were a little better—but only a little. God sent prophets to warn both of what would happen if they rejected God. Jeremiah was one of those prophets sent to the kingdom of Judah.

Three Kings

Today is the celebration of Christ the King (or Reign of Christ), so it is fitting to focus on the kings of the story. And our passage in Jeremiah 36 is about the actions of a king (Jehoiakim) and the echo of his father (King Josiah). And Jesus, king of kings, is present in all we do. Perhaps there is some insight we can gain by comparing Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Jesus.

King Josiah

During a period of rulers who rejected God, King Josiah stands like a beacon of light. He was a good kid (gaining the throne when he was eight), unlike his father Amon, another who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21:19-22). I would guess it was his mother’s influence, but the text doesn’t say.

One of the things he decided to do in the eighteenth year of his reign was to clean up and repair the temple. During this process, someone found a scroll, a book of the law. I have heard the suggestion that it was a version of the Book of Deuteronomy. As it was read to him, he might have heard Deuteronomy 28, which describes what will happen if the people follow God’s ways (verses 1-14) and what happens if they do not obey God’s commandments (verses 15-68). Of particular interest here starts on verse 49:

The LORD will bring a nation from far away, from the end of the earth, to swoop down on you like an eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand, a grim-faced nation showing no respect to the old or favor to the young.

Deuteronomy 28:49-50

Josiah knew that his forebearers had gone down the dark path of disobedience and was dismayed. Significant to our passage today:

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes [and ordered his people to] “go and inquire of the Lord for me…”

2 Kings 22:11, 13

The priests and other servants consulted the prophetess Huldah, who gave the message that, indeed the dire consequences for Judah’s sins would be coming, but because Josiah repented, they would not happen during his lifetime.

King Jehoiakim

But, at the age of 39, Josiah was killed in battle, and his son Jehoiakim began to rule. Jehoiakim did not follow the path that Josiah had trod, instead:

He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, just as all his ancestors had done.

2 Kings 23:37

God sent Jeremiah to tell the people what God wanted them to hear, which included a continuation of the message God had sent through Huldah. But there was not just condemnation. God directed Jeremiah to get this message written down and read to the people and the king. God said:

“It may be that when the house of Judah hears of all the disasters that I intend to do to them, all of them may turn from their evil ways, so that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”

Jeremiah 36:3

Instead, King Jehoiakim burned the scroll while it was being read to him. He was somewhere between ignoring and trying to prevent the oracle from coming true. Outside of our reading, the narrator notes:

Yet neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments.

Jeremiah 36:24

While his father heard God’s words and tore his clothing in horror, Jehoiakim felt no guilt or responsibility.

King Jesus and Us

King Josiah repented because of God’s word, King Jehoiakim rejected God’s word, but King Jesus is God’s Word. The purpose of celebrating Christ the King Sunday is to declare and affirm that no king (or president), whether good or bad is above God and God’s Anointed. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the King over all kings, the Ruler of the universe. And if we do affirm this, then we should acknowledge and believe that we only have a secondary (or tertiary) allegiance to give to our country or party (hopefully after family as well).

For most age groups, you can compare the bad King Jehoiakim and to King Jesus (including Josiah or not based on the developmental levels and time allotment of your classes).

Note

Oh boy. I write these blog posts a few weeks before the week you likely read them. In this instance, I wrote this on November 5th (Election Day in the US). As I read this after the election, the entire concept of Christ the King Sunday hits differently. And I do not envy the faith formation leaders who must preach or teach now. But it might be helpful to look at this festival day through the lens of law and gospel, warning and promise.

• Warning: Jesus is the ultimate ruler of all. If we call ourselves Jesus’ disciples, then it is his way that we are following, not that of any earthly power, government, or political party. Christ’s way is that of empathy, service, and justice for people who are vulnerable, hurt, suffering, and oppressed. Any path characterized by selfishness, hatred, violence, apathy, and the admiration of power and wealth is anathema and condemned by God. Any time we walk away from God’s path, we are commanded to repent—confess our wrongdoing and the damage we cause, make amends, and return to the reign of Christ.

• Promise: Jesus is the ultimate ruler of all. No one in power—president, governor, legislator, judge, autocrat, dictator, oligarch, or billionaire—can remove Jesus from his throne or negate his promises of love, consolation, and shalom. As we walk Jesus’ path (and even when we stray), God will neither forsake nor abandon us. We are—and will always remain—beloved children of God.

May God give us wisdom and strength for the road ahead.

In the name of Jesus,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Free Resource

During the main Narrative Lectionary year (September 8 to June 8), we provide a free resource download from one of our products to help you in your faith formation ministry. This week, download our weekly devotional resource (bulletin inserts) for the upcoming week (including Thanksgiving in the U.S.) from our Living the Word: Sharing God’s Story @ Home (NL) product. Give your households a concrete resource for daily devotions!

Order Faith Formation Resources

Order now for winter (and spring)! The fall season of our year-long resources ends on November 24, 2024, so now is a great time to order winter and spring seasons for the Narrative Lectionary, Revised Common Lectionary, and Classic Sunday School products. Products are available for immediate download. If you don’t have much time for children’s Christian education, then check out our Kids Mini Lessons for the NL and RCL.

Are you looking for shorter resources for family/intergenerational events or Sunday school? Check out our Learning Together series, a set of five-lesson units on a variety of topics. You can read outside reviews on both our newest Do Justice and Created to Care units! Our faith formation resources are easy to use, theologically sound, and inclusive.

At Spirit & Truth Publishing, we might have exactly what you are looking for:

• Resources for the Narrative Lectionary (2024-2025): Products for all ages (with NEW mini lessons, if you only have a short time for elementary faith formation).
• Classic Sunday School Curriculum: Key Bible stories for PK-2nd and 3rd-6th, also great for your Christian elementary school!
• Learning Together: Five-lesson, topical units for VBS, Sunday school, children, and intergenerational classes.
• Cross+Generational Confirmation
• Resources for the Revised Common Lectionary (2024-2025): Intergenerational classroom, mini lessons for children.
• Worship and Liturgy Education

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