©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
The world’s abuzz with the upcoming Coronation of the King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth areas. Who will attend? Who won’t attend? Where will certain people stand?
What if there was this much press attention and social media discussion given to the Kingdom of God? Who will enter? How can we meet the King of Kings?
As fascinating as the Coronation and Royal Family may be, there’s a far greater King who promises peace, love and joy as we follow Him. He offers protection and direction, and the plan for an abundant (and eternal) life in relationship with Him. And, how wonderful it is that we can know the King of Kings personally!
Let’s look at a few interesting facts about the King of England and some information about the Coronation, while seeing what the Bible tells us about the ultimate King and Kingdom.
- The first heir to the throne to earn a university degree, King Charles switched to history for his second year, but archaeology and anthropology were his focus as a freshman.
As Creator of the world, God’s knowledge is infinite in history, anthropology and archaeology, and His wisdom beyond compare.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:26-27
- A lifelong enthusiast of the arts, the King of England is no stranger to playing musical instruments, having learned piano, trumpet and cello, and the Coronation will have plenty of music, much originating from religious contexts.
As one of the 12 original musical works for the Coronation, renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is adapting Psalm 98 to Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord, the King which will include the Royal Air Force trumpeters, the Westminster Choir and the Coronation Orchestra.
Celebratory music has long been part of the worship of the King of Heaven and Earth – the Lord God, and Psalm 98 is a good example.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing. Psalm 98:4-5
Psalm 98 also points to the faithfulness and righteousness of the Lord, as well as His love, salvation and power.
Another Psalm (95:1-3) puts it like this: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
One of King Charles III’s favorite hymns Be Thou My Vision is to receive a contemporary refresh at the Coronation based on the blended works of three composers. Now in the public domain, the original words of that Irish hymnary staple include… “Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word” along with “Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always. Thou and thou only, first in my heart, Ruler of heaven, my treasure thou art.”
The Coronation is also welcoming its first gospel group, The Ascension Choir, whose eight singers will perform Alleluia (O Sing Praises). An expanded Westminster Abbey Choir will sing Alleluia (O Clap your Hands). Composer Debbie Wiseman, is quoted as saying: “The Coronation is a solemn religious ceremony and the natural inclination is to go for a reverential hymn-like approach, but I was keen to make this piece, above all, joyful and celebratory of the new King and the new era.”
Oh, that we would be both reverent and joyful, worshipful and celebratory as we walk with the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Immanuel (God with us!).
- King Charles III was carrying the title of Prince of Wales more than a decade ago when the Tanzania Masai bestowed a new name on him, calling him “Keeper of the Cows.”
Jesus has several descriptive names too, among them the Lamb of God, Light of the World, Messiah, Savior, and The Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
Perhaps one of the most familiar passages outlining the titles/names of Jesus is the prophesy found in Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?,” Jesus asked in Mark 8:29.
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
- Given his keen interest in the environment, King Charles’ promotion of tree planting is understandable. More than three million trees were planted in England during the Queen’s Canopy campaign that started in 2021 and tree planting will continue as part of the Coronation celebration events. After he plants a tree, the King is known to shake a branch as if shaking hands with it as sort of a gesture of wishing it well.
The original tree planter was God, the Creator of all.
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12
Jesus later used a horticultural example to show us how to have strength and growth through Him.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6
- Did you know King Charles is an author? Stories he shared with his brothers served as the foundation for the children’s book The Old Man of Lochnagar, but he’s also penned books on the environment.
God is the author of all things, and the stories, history and timeless truths in His Word have been shared with children and adults alike. The words of God are perfect, protective, and prized:
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. Psalm 12:6
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
God’s word is a guide to us, illuminating the way to walk.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
But there’s more to know. Yes, God gives us His words in Scripture, but He also gave us Jesus as the Word of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Whether you watch King Charles III’s Coronation live, see segments of it on the news, or listen to some of its musical compositions, let your mind go to the King who is the greatest, the most powerful of all.
As 1 Timothy 6:15b-16 says… “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
- If you had an invitation to go to King Charles III’s Coronation, would you go? Would it matter where you stood or sat, or would being there be enough?
- If you had an opportunity to meet and talk with the King in person, would you make time to do so? What if you had the chance to introduce your family and friends to him?
- When was an occasion that you were around someone famous or a local celebrity?
- When you consider the many descriptive names of Jesus, what name or quality resonates most with you?
- What stands out most to you about differences between earthly leaders and God?
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory in the heavens. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:1, 3-4
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™
*Scripture references are from New International Version (NIV)