Dear one,
A good friend of mine, who comes from a very different cultural current and theological tributary than my own, often prays in terms of “King of Glory.” I delight when he does so, for I am reminded of the richness reflected in our cultural differences, and how those differences manifest themselves. Moreover, as I hear him pray, I hear the language of a bygone era, when “king” or “queen” were titles that had every-day, life-and-death significance.
Within the past week, I have had the opportunity to reconsider the life of Herod the Great, King of Judea, c.39-4 B.C. Without question, his architectural and engineering legacy (e.g., Masada, Herodion, Caesarea Maritime, and the Jerusalem Temple) signal a greatness approaching genius. Likewise, his political maneuvering reveals the powerful combination of words and deeds: he knew when to submit, and he knew when to dictate. For instance, he was able to adroitly shift his allegiance from Mark Antony, whom he strenuously supported, to Caesar Augustus, who defeated Antony at Actium, 32 B.C. Remarkably, Caesar was persuaded by Herod’s candor and profession of “friendship,” whereby he granted Herod even greater authority.[1]
However, Herod’s was a greatly troubled soul. He demanded that persons of prestige and power must pledge their allegiance to him; if they did not, their lives would come to a sudden end—and this was no idle threat. He executed Mariamme I., the woman and wife he most “loved,” his two sons by her, a third son by his first wife, a brother, a mother-in-law, and many another “friend” of his court. The number of those who fell by his sword, either in battle or in prison, is legion.
Knowing that his slaughter of the children in Bethlehem was truly characteristic,[2] I have more fully understood that “king” can be synonymous with “dictator,” “tyrant,” “despot,” “Führer,” and/or “president for life.” It is for this reason, I think, that when Jesus stood trial before Pilate, He countered: “My Kingdom is not of this world”.[3] That is, His Kingdom is not a “kingdom” of god-like egos clutching for dominance and control, maneuvering with deceit, alliances, blackmail, and death. No. As Jesus directed His disciples: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, … slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”[4]
May “Thy Kingdom come …”
Stan
[1] Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Allen Wikgren, ed., (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990),
Book 15.6.6.
[2] Matthew 2:16-18.
[3] John 19:36.
[4] Cf. Mark 10:42-45.