THE RETURN OF THE KING (4 OF 4)
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
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The Return of the King (4 of 4)
Series: Season of Advent
Patrick Edwards
Luke 2:8-20
Introduction: ''Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, steward!'' There's such a great condescension in Gandalf's voice as he reminds Denethor that he is merely a steward of the kingdom of Gondor, not the king. You see, in the third installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy the kingdom of Gondor is in a bad place, struggling to keep the armies of Mordor at hand. If Gondor falls all of Middle Earth will fall with it. But in large part the reason Gondor is failing is because of the insufficient leadership of Denethor, the steward of Gondor. Denethor is merely a placeholder, if you will, illustrated by the fact that in the throne room he does not sit on the throne but on a lesser throne much lower to the ground. Gondor needs her true king to return and to lead her once more to glory and victory.
It's an obvious allegory that Tolkien, himself a devout Christian, tells here, for the kingdoms of this world and our leaders over us are merely stewards and placeholders themselves until the return of the King. As we've been discussing this advent season, we wait then as Christians between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ, the once and future King. As Jesus has inaugurated His Kingdom, as He has been vindicated as King with authority over all, we now look forward to His return and seek to make ourselves ready.
Thus, we've lit, today, the Shepherd's Candle to remind ourselves that the King has come and He brings peace to those whom He favors. It's a very familiar passage we have, one that is traditionally read at this time of year, but it's one that shouldn't only lead us to the nativity of Christ but also to His second coming as well. The announcement of the angels in Luke 2 shows us that God's promises reflect His perfect plan for all creation. He is able and good to keep those promises, which must lead us to worship Him with the totality of ...
Series: Season of Advent
Patrick Edwards
Luke 2:8-20
Introduction: ''Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, steward!'' There's such a great condescension in Gandalf's voice as he reminds Denethor that he is merely a steward of the kingdom of Gondor, not the king. You see, in the third installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy the kingdom of Gondor is in a bad place, struggling to keep the armies of Mordor at hand. If Gondor falls all of Middle Earth will fall with it. But in large part the reason Gondor is failing is because of the insufficient leadership of Denethor, the steward of Gondor. Denethor is merely a placeholder, if you will, illustrated by the fact that in the throne room he does not sit on the throne but on a lesser throne much lower to the ground. Gondor needs her true king to return and to lead her once more to glory and victory.
It's an obvious allegory that Tolkien, himself a devout Christian, tells here, for the kingdoms of this world and our leaders over us are merely stewards and placeholders themselves until the return of the King. As we've been discussing this advent season, we wait then as Christians between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ, the once and future King. As Jesus has inaugurated His Kingdom, as He has been vindicated as King with authority over all, we now look forward to His return and seek to make ourselves ready.
Thus, we've lit, today, the Shepherd's Candle to remind ourselves that the King has come and He brings peace to those whom He favors. It's a very familiar passage we have, one that is traditionally read at this time of year, but it's one that shouldn't only lead us to the nativity of Christ but also to His second coming as well. The announcement of the angels in Luke 2 shows us that God's promises reflect His perfect plan for all creation. He is able and good to keep those promises, which must lead us to worship Him with the totality of ...
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