The Lord Jesus: Christ, King and Priest
I came into the world to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’
by Rev. Tony Gonoude, PP
GOSPEL
Pilate asked Jesus ‘Are you the king of the Jews? ‘.Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me? ’Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’ ‘So you are a king then? said Pilate. ‘It is you who say it,’ answered Jesus. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’ John 18:33-37
This is the great moment where we see Christ the King and Priest sacrifice himself to save us. As Priest he gives of himself into the hands of the Roman power and as King, he rules with the weapon of Truth.
First we see Christ the Priest. As Pilate rejects, Jesus is giving himself up. This is the offering of Christ the High Priest. After this trial in front of the power of this world, Jesus gives his Body on the altar of saving love. He could have preserved himself but he wishes to save us through his being lifted up on the cross of death. With his Risen and wounded Body, he will go into the depth of death to bring us to God’s life.
We see Jesus continue as Priest before all the rejection the ages have thrown at him. ‘So you are a king then? How much doubt and rejection surrounds the Lord’s Sacred Priesthood today. How many fail to understand the Priesthood brings God to the world and the world to God on the altar of every Mass and in the words of every Sacrament? How many fail to understand the image of the Priesthood in its vesture, ceremonies and the sacrificial nature of an office that imitates the giving of Christ? Yet, Jesus’ Priesthood is “not of this world” but of God. Every priest is inserted into this strength of the Lord. With Christ, the Pilate of rejection falls away and the majesty of the call is supreme. Every time a priest celebrates Mass, Jesus comes to shatter rejection and to bring the light of God’s presence into the darkness of time. The same is true of the other sacraments, administered by the ambassador of Christ. Many still “Wish to see Jesus.” In the Priesthood of this High Priest, it is possible to be with the Lord, to see him and to know him.
Then we see Christ the King. “‘It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’” Remember at Bethlehem how many came to this Child- King. The wise ones followed the star to come into his presence and kneel before him, the simple shepherds saw the angels and praised God, Mary and Joseph have already come to him by their following the call of God to open the world for his Son. Remember how many came to the Lord as his Apostles, disciples, believers: the sick, the possessed, those with the deepest of questions all went to this King.
Many however, failed to go to him in their hearts. The chief priests hand Jesus over to Pilate. They like the roman governor do not see a King, or a Kingdom. They only look to this world. This direction of our gaze will see us not go to the Lord. We must lift our eyes up to his Kingdom. This Priest-King is God’s Kingdom in person. His values are justice, love, peace, mercy. His law is Truth. This reign of Jesus sees the way of heaven become the blueprint for how we should live too.
Jesus as King is “handed over.” He could have stopped this but he didn’t. Jesus still hands himself over as King into every hour of history. This King comes in his teachings from the Scriptures, from his Holy Church, from his powerful example that shows he reigns from the throne of the cross. The Priest-King hands himself over to priests so that they can give his teachings to others. Every priest is called to be the voice for the King. They are to be as him and stand for Truth. The teachings of the Lord are given to priests to be dispensed, not for their own will but for his. Every day the example of the cross and its powerful image, must shine out in the life of the Priest who follows the King, not of this world. Each priest can teach the way of the Kingdom in this world to transform it into a reflection of heaven.
Jesus Christ, King and Priest. These two titles of the Lord are one. He is King who comes on the throne of the manger and opens life for us from the throne of the cross. He is the High Priest who rents the veil of time to bring eternity to us.
‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’
May many young men hear the voice of Christ the Priest King to be ministers of his Truth.
Prayers
Sovereign God, ruler of all creation, you sent Jesus to testify to the truth: that you alone are the Lord of life. Help us to listen always to his voice so that we may proclaim his realm of justice, peace, and endless love; through Christ, who reigns forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest, You offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the Cross and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood may be ever more conformed to You, the Divine Master. May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience. Let them be shepherds according to Your own Heart, single-minded in service to You and to the Church and shining examples of a holy, simple and joyful life. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother and ours, draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
(Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI).
Fr Tony Gonoude
Ordained in 2007, Fr Tony Gonoude is Parish Priest of Ballynacarrigy, Co. Westmeath and serves as Vocations Director for the Diocese of Meath.