Coronation of a King

 It is a day for sparkling water or champagne. We reach the end of the church year – having heard the whole story of God’s covenant, redemption, and promise; having walked with Jesus and the disciples, prayed with the early church, sung the psalms adding our voices to generations; we come to a coronation of sorts, a celebration naming Christ as King.  This is a day to celebrate … and yet…

It is not the Easter Jesus that stands in our midst.

Jesus comes on a cross wearing a crown of thrones – a different kind of king.

 

In May of 2023, the coronation of King Charles and Queen consort Camilla, is set to take place. Much planning and speculation is underway. One discussion is which crown will be chosen for Camilla to wear.  Reports suggest that Charles would like to use the crown given to his grandmother, made queen, at the coronation of King George VI. However, there is controversy about this crown because it includes one of the largest cut diamonds in the world: the Koh-i-Noor. 

This diamond was mined in the Middle Ages for the Kakatiya Dynasty, and since its debut has had a dark and stormy history, changing hands - succession, gift, stollen, spoil of war, surrendered. The stone arrived in British hands in 1849 following the second Anglo-Sikh war; the Koh-i-Noor was surrendered in the Treaty of Lahore. When India claimed their independence from British Colonialism in 1947, a request was made to have the diamond returned. It was not. Subsequent requests have also been made.

To choose the crown bearing this diamond tells the world much about the monarchy moving forward. The world waits to see - What kind of King is Charles to be?

Will the crown be used because it is the wish of the king? Will the monarchy choose a different crown to avoid and put the conversation of colonialism back into the closet – out of sight, out of mind? Or will the king do something different?

 

This dilemma for the Royal Family gives us a window to consider not only Jesus’ understanding of kingship, but the practicalities of living into a different definition of kingship.

Jesus was not the king that was expected. In many definitions Jesus would not be considered king material. Jesus’ ministry turned human concepts upside-down and in the end his reign began through his crucifixion. This is a different kind of king.

 

Imagine at the coronation of King Charles III, as his first immediate act as sovereign, he personally removes the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Queen Mother’s crown, before Queen consort Camilla receives the crown.  Then as part of the liturgy, words of reconciliation are offered to India and her people, as the diamond is officially returned to them.

 

That is a different kind of kingship – admitting and righting the wrongs of colonialism, working at reconciliation with more than words, and being prepared to face the costly consequences. Can you imagine the stir that that one action would create?! The British press would have a field day – some might commend him, but as the reality of the action sunk in – things would get messy!

David Cameron, British prime minister in 2010, when asked about the diamond said – If you say yes to one you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty. I am afraid to say, it is going to stay put.

David is right, to have the diamond stay put, is safe. For the British Empire to open up the vaults and repatriate items that were stollen, would be a watershed moment! Then ---would the Empire get to talking about land in the Commonwealth and compensation? Would truth-telling, transparency, and social equity become the kingship of a new era? Would other monarchs follow suit? The Church of England? The Vatican?

One kingly act has the power to change the course of history.

 

For the diamond to be returned to India is extremely bold, turning human concepts of kingship upside down. Many will say, “It can not be done.” But… it could.

Jesus’ actions to issue in a different kind of kingdom; leaders and people said, “It can not be done.”  But… it could.  In the giving of all of oneself – in crucifixion - Jesus of Nazareth, God-with-us – dared to die to imprint on the human heart to what lengths God will go to demonstrate unconditional love.

In return, the reign of God grows from the imprint of love on human hearts.

A different kind of king matters because we are heirs to this upside-down understanding of kingship. An understanding where diamonds can be officially and humbly returned. A new era where kingship is about being prepared to work through the messiness and consequences of doing so. This kind of bold kingship – is not just about the king- it requires subjects, us, to have a heart to be reconciling too. To build up and support leadership who dares to boldly go to great lengths to love; to be willing to return, sacrifice, or lose, accumulated resources for social equity; to be willing to sit in very uncomfortable conversations about the past and what reparations are required to make things right; to be humble, transparent, and tell the straight- out-honest truth.  Following a different kind of king will mean walking with some fear and trepidation – not knowing what instability and change will come. In our relationship with others it may mean biting our tongues or voicing unwelcomed opinions.

 

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, a few disciples and the Marys look on, as their teacher and friend doesn’t fight being nailed to a cross, as he forgives those who have him crucified, as he makes promises of life to the criminal who dies beside him, as he breathes his last. It was not easy to watch this different kind of kingship. In days and months and years to follow, it was not easy to live differently than the dominant culture. It costs the disciples and other followers, their reputations, their relationships, their freedom, their religion, their way of life, and their lives… all to usher in a different reign. God’s reign.  

 

This is a day for sparkling water or champagne. Today is a celebration. Christ is king. And there is hope that we might just be able to live into this different kind of kingship ---- let us return that which needs to be returned. Open our hearts to let God’s unconditional love grow and spread. Let us live boldly!