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WHAT IS A KING?
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I will let C S Lewis answer this question, with reference to two of the “Chronicles of Narnia”—The Magician’s Nephew and The Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader.’
The Magician’s Nephew (= MN) is the story of the creation of Narnia, but I will first get on my soapbox: this book should NEVER be read first! The argument that it should since it’s about creation is bogus! But I digress…
When the Cockney London Cabby is accidentally brought into Narnia on the day of its beginning, Aslan brings his wife there as well, and tells him, “…you are to be the first King and Queen of Narnia.” They were dumbfounded, but Aslan continued, outlining their responsibilities (yes, paralleling Adam and Eve to some extent)—they were to rule and name the creatures, doing justice for them and protecting them from enemies. The Cabby is doubtful, but Aslan asks him a series of questions—can you farm to raise food? Can you be kind and just to your subjects? Would you raise your children and grandchildren to do the same, with no favorites? If (actually, when) there would be war, would you be the first in the charge and last in the retreat? The Cabby is doubtful especially about the last, but he replies, “I’d try—that is, I ‘ope I’d try—to do my bit.” “Then,” said Aslan, “you will have done all that a King should do.” Wow.
The second reference is to The Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader.’ King Caspian pledged to seek the 7 lords who could have defended him against his usurping uncle Miraz; having accounted for them all, he now wants to change plans to sail to the World’s End, along with the noble Mouse Reepicheep. But he is opposed by Edmund, Lucy, Drinian, and Reeepicheep; their argument is that he is under oath and “…shall not pleasure yourself with adventures as if you were a private person.” No doubt Lewis had in mind England’s King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne so to marry the divorced American Wallis Simpson.
So what has this to do with Jesus? It’s very simple, really: Jesus is our King because He came to bring kindness and justice, and to be first in the attack (and never in the retreat) in the face of our ancient enemy, Satan, going all the way to the Cross to defend and redeem us. He came not to do His own will not to satisfy Himself, but that of the Father. He is the perfect model of what a true King should be, and He is the King of our hearts, if we will welcome Him.
Jesus Christ is our King: not a president or a prime minister or a governor—He is of royal lineage from eternity, and He is also our High Priest and ultimate Prophet, speaking God’s Word to us since He IS the Eternal Word. Christ Jesus, Victor! Christ Jesus, Ruler! Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer! AMEN!
