Christ The King

Christ the King Sunday, when we celebrate our Lord’s Office of King of Kings, is a perfect time to examine all three of Christ’s offices:  Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus Christ is the summit of a long line of prophets, priests, and kings. But unlike all who came before Him, Christ bears all three of these roles and perfectly fulfills them.

We sometimes talk about a president “taking office” or “leaving office”—office meaning a particular role of authority. In the same way, theologians sometimes speak about the offices of Christ: particular roles of authority that Christ fulfills.

Jesus’ title Christ itself points towards the threefold office of prophet, priest and king. Christ means “Anointed One,” and in the Old Testament, prophets were anointed with oil. Priests were anointed with oil. And kings were anointed with oil too. So the Christ, the Anointed One, was the One anointed for this unique threefold office of Prophet, Priest and King. No one in the Old Testament held these three offices together. But Christ does.

Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had their prophets, priests, and kings, so in the New Testament God’s people finally meet their ultimate Prophet, Priest and King, Jesus Christ. He is the summit of a long line of prophets, priests, and kings, even the very best of whom were flawed and fallible, and none of whom were all three at once. But Jesus was the fulfillment, the Prophet, Priest, and King… the Greatest Prophet, the Great High Priest, and the King of Kings. The earlier prophets, priests, and kings were mere shadows; Christ is the reality to whom they were all pointing.

In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus answer Pilate:

“My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

Because Christ is the King, and because He rules by the truth of His revelation, we all would do well to learn the attitude of faith that was expressed by the Centurion. He said to the Lord Jesus, "I am a man under authority." (Matt. 8:9)  And because of the virtue of our faith, we are all under the authority of Christ the King.  As such there are certain things which we should not compromise:

1. God's commandments.

God's laws have not changed, regardless of what our secular culture would like us to believe. God has spoken, and we must preach is His word, not the amoral fashions of this sinful world. To be people under authority clarifies these things for us.

2. The Gospel.

Perhaps a warm and fuzzy new message would fill up our pews, but no souls would be saved from sin and death. A man under authority has only one Gospel to preach.  And that Good News can be distilled into this straight-forward message:

That Christ fulfilled the words of the Prophets (the meaning of "according to the scriptures") in that:

1. He died for our sins,

2. was buried,

3. rose again the third day, and

4. appeared to witnesses after His resurrection.

Do we have any other message, anything else to offer for those who do not like the Gospel Truth? No, we have nothing else that we have been commanded to preach. Other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have no message whatsoever. Take it or leave it.  Many exercise their free will and leave it. Some religious leaders may offer something else, something more with the times, something shiny and entertaining, and sometimes those shiny things sell better for a while. But as a man under authority, I have one message: Come to the Living Christ with "hearty repentance and true faith." We, faithful Christians under authority, preach the message and words of Christ the King. Everyone who is of the truth hears His voice.

AMEN.

--Fr. Chris Fish

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee

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SERVICES & EVENTS

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland) 

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Nursery 9:00 & 11:15 Services

Vestry Meeting, this Monday October 28, 7:30 PM

Wednesday, 12 noon, Holy Communion and anointing for healing, (for online participation for the service go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)

Wednesday at 7:30 PM,  Bible study with Fr. Bragg  on Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews (bring your Bible and for parishioners and our readers across the country who are not able to attend in person you can see it online at https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)  It will also appear later on St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland's YouTube Channel.

Friday November 1,  All Saints Day Service, 12 Noon.

Saturday  November 2, All Souls Day Service, 10 AM.  Names of the Faithful Departed to be remembered on All Souls may be emailed to ScotlandSaints@gmail.com

Saturday, November 30, 7:00 PM, Kirkin of the Tartan and Evening Prayer with bagpiper followed by a great reception with Scottish foods and beverages.  Please put it on your calendar now and invite your family, friends and neighbors.
 
Updated list of needs for MaRIH crisis pregnancy center

MaRIH Center with its all volunteer staff provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed.. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 In Bold and with an asterisk are a critical need.

Diapers (sizes newborn, *1, 2, 3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies
*Baby wipes
*Diaper rash ointment
*Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
*Baby bottles
*Bibs toddler
*Formula: Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
*Wash clothes
*Hooded towels
*Fall Winter clothing: 3-6 mo, 2T
*Winter coats 2T
*Grocery gift cards
 
Food Bank Needs
Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
 individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
 coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
 
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