Christ the King (Year: B)
Date: Sunday, November 25th, 2018, 11:00
Old Testament: 2 Sam. 23:1-7
Psalms: Ps. 132:1-18
1These are the last words of David: "The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel's singer of songs:
2"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
3The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,
4he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'
5"Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?
6But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.
7Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie."
2 Samuel 23:1-7 (NIV)
Epistle: Rev. 1:4-8
1O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured.
2He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3"I will not enter my house or go to my bed-
4I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids,
5till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
6We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
7"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool-
8arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
9May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy."
10For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.
11The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne-
12if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."
13For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling:
14"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it-
15I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.
16I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.
17"Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent."
Psalms 132:1-18 (NIV)
Gospel: John 18:33-37
4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits
5before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
6To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation of John 1:4-8 (NIV)
33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
John 18:33-37 (NIV)