Reflections On Royalty

The world took a pause this week in response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her death has brought the English monarchy into the spotlight as her eldest son Charles becomes King. The Wall Street Journal reported, “Queen Elizabeth II, who defined the monarchy for generations of Britons, died on Thursday, plunging the U.K. into mourning and giving the country its first new head of state in 70 years, her son, King Charles III.”

There is a lot that has been said about the Queen and her rule over the decades. Being crowned as Queen when Winston Churchill was prime minister, she ruled for decades over billions of people. “When she died at the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth was the head of state of 14 countries in addition to the U.K., and the lead of a Commonwealth that includes 54 countries with a combined population of over two billion people.”

The interesting part of this is that she didn’t really rule. Even though she is queen of England, she does not have a lot of power over all those people. England’s monarchy is referred to as a “constitutional monarchy”. This means that despite her being the queen, the rule of law lies with the English parliament. Elected officials make the laws. The prime minister is the head of the government.

I bring this up because with the widespread of democracy all over the world, monarch rule is very much a thing of the past. There are still countries that have Kings and Queens that have power, but that doesn’t  really resonate with us. They are small third world countries. We view them as living in the past. Because of this, it can be hard at times to understand living under the rule of just one person. People in modern developed countries vote to have the government they want. Case in point can be seen right in England where former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was ousted due to numerous scandals.

But we must remember we do live in a monarchy. Jesus Christ is the King over all. He reigns over more than anyone in history or currently. Unlike Queen Elizabeth He has great power. Whether we like it or not, we are His subjects and He is our King. Also unlike the English monarchy, it is not a mere formality. It is not just a nice title to His name. He is active, effective, authoritative, gracious and sovereign. His rule is more than just impactful on the world, it is efficacious.

Yet besides all that power, He is a humble and gracious King. The Queen herself was a faithful Christian. But her family succumbed to the temptations of royalty. When you look at the royal family, there is so much that hits the tabloids. From affairs, to divorces, family married to members of Nazi party, to Prince Andrew’s friendship with Harvey Epstein and subsequent sexual abuse accusations, to the most recent issue of the withdrawl of grandson Prince Harry from the monarchy. They have the markings of a rich, spoiled, arrogant and pampered family.

But not our King! He is so humble and gracious that He left his royalty behind to rescue us! He did not give it up to benefit Himself (like Prince Harry did), but gave it up for others and His Father!
“...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)
This is why He is King. He didn't happen into it like being born into royalty. He rightly deserves the throne.
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

This is why he not only deserves the throne, but deserves our praise, glory and worship! He deserves our service, our gifts, our time, our possessions…everything! Because who else is more deserving? And besides Him deserving it, how can we not praise and serve Him out of love for what He has done for us?

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
(Psalm 145:1)