The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Recently the news has been abuzz with the faith journey of Kanye West. For those over 35, Kanye is a perpetually-controversial rap star who has been at the top of the charts and the front of the tabloids for years.

He has recently very publicly come to a belief in Jesus and has been trying–very publicly–to reorient his career in a way that will glorify God. He is denouncing the cult of drugs, sex and objectification of women that was the content of most of his greatest musical hits. He is doing a free open-air Church service in cities throughout the country with an enormous Gospel choir and in collaboration with local pastors. He is discussing re-recording his old hits without any vulgarity. And he just released an album of Gospel music called “Jesus is King.”

As we celebrate…

Now I have no idea what is going on in Kanye’s heart. I do know that we should pray for him and his faith journey, which is a very delicate and precarious journey, even without worldwide scrutiny. But I do think that the content of his message is appropriate for all of us as we celebrate this solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

Because each of us have put something else besides Jesus on the throne at the center of our lives. Each of us has put idols first in our hearts. And each of us has suffered because of it.

When you allow something other than God to reign over your life–whether a relationship, a job, money, sex, power, fame, comfort or even yourself–then you will suffer under the rule of a tyrant.

Jesus is King

Only when you put Jesus at the center, when you allow Jesus Christ to reign as King of your life, will your whole existence be re-oriented in truth.

This Advent Season, which we begin next week, will be a chance for us to allow the Lord to reorient us toward Him. To move from our petty forgetfulness to look up in joyful, hopeful expectation of the coming of our King. As we do so, the parts of our life clinging to false idols: to our pride, lust, envy, gluttony, greed and wrath, will give way to us joyfully declaring that Jesus Christ is King.

Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.