(2Sm.5:1-3; Ps.122:1-5; Col.1:12-20; Lk.23:35-43) "This is the King of the Jews." On earth, our King rules from a cross; in Paradise, upon a glorious throne. O Lord Jesus, "here we are, your bone and your flesh." May we die with you that we might reign with you in your holy kingdom. "All the tribes of Israel came to David" and anointed him king of Israel. He had been called by the Lord as shepherd and commander of Israel, and now he would finally receive his kingship. And he would make Jerusalem the city of the king, and make it holy when he brought the ark of the covenant within its walls. And so, here on earth David reigned, as God's anointed. And so Jerusalem becomes the place of worship, within whose gates all rejoice to set foot. And there "are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David." And so Jesus is called the Son of David, for He inherits this earthly kingdom blessed by God, anointed anew to reign from Jerusalem. But, of course, His kingdom is more than that of the flesh, for it is His own flesh that makes it holy – He is the Temple not made by human hands, through whom all things blessed of the earth and of heaven came to find their being: "In Him were created all things in heaven and on earth." He indeed is the beginning of all things and the fullness, or the end, of all things; nothing, and in particular the Church, exists apart from Him. And to what heavenly rule are we all thus called by His "making peace by the blood of His cross." By His sacrifice we shall indeed be saved; He will remember us when He comes into His Kingdom. And there shall be true rejoicing, for there the cross shall be borne no more. Having consumed all our sins and the darkness and death of this life, it shall be transformed into the throne of glory. Even now the Lord calls to us from the cross; even now His suffering beckons us. Even now we must turn to Him, our King, in our sin and let Him take our corrupted flesh and bone upon Himself to find the blessed reconciliation of our souls in the hand of God. As His forgiveness pours upon us in His blood, we come to the fullness of His heavenly kingdom and "share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light." Long live our King, who dies upon a cross. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Removing the Log from My Eye" (first part) from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, Jesus is our bone and our flesh – may He be our King! YHWH, your Son is King of the Jews – let us come with Him into Paradise, where He reigns forever. By the blood of Jesus' Cross all in Heaven and on earth are made one, are reconciled to you, O God and Father of all the redeemed. Through Him all things were made and through Him all are saved. May we all come to share the inheritance of the holy ones in light. David ruled from the holy city of Jerusalem; all Israel came to him to make him king. He was a man after your own heart because he sought your will in all things. But it is Jesus, your Son, He who is called Son of David for His eternal reign over Israel, over all those who strive to do your will – it is He who is and has always been true King of all Creation. To Him let us call out; in Him let us make our eternal home.