The King of Kings

From the Head of Junior School, South Plympton

I must say that during the holidays I became quite obsessed with watching and reading about the Danish coronation and the new Queen of Denmark, Australian born Mary. On reflection it is like the fairy tale come to life. The ordinary Aussie girl meets her Prince in a bar, falls in love, marries and becomes the Queen… little wonder my interest and fascination. 

The coronation was on a literally, freezing Danish day. The news reported ‘tens of thousands turned out in freezing temperatures to see the new King and Queen’. Can you imagine heading out to line up with that many people with temperatures between -2 and 2 degrees?    

I was reminded of the British coronation less than a year ago and all the pomp and glory that surrounded that and again the hundreds of thousands of people turned out to get a glimpse of their new King. Imagine being in that crowd and the king calling out ‘Hi Liz, how did you go with that dilemma that we chatted about the other day? Are you feeling better after your bout of flu?’ It is inconceivable that the king would notice and remember any one person in the crowd. 

However, as Christians we know that our King, King Jesus, knows us personally and knows our needs (even before we ask).  

‘We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.’  1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) 

In fact, Jesus says "Indeed, the very hairs on your head are numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’  Luke 12:7 (NIV)

'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’  Matthew 10:29 – 31 (NIV)

As I pondered, I thought about my King, King Jesus. Would he be standing on the balcony waving majestically and smiling to the crowd? Unlikely! I think he would be amongst the crowd standing alongside me (and you) ensuring that our needs were met, even to the point of stepping in to protect us from the cold or the pressing crowd. 

I think of the posture of reigning, earthly Monarchs and wonder whether they feel the deep compassion for their subjects in the way that our King feels compassion for each of us. I am reminded of his humility, being born in a stable. 

I think of his posture when confronted by the angry crowd as they brought the woman accused of adultery to him. We would expect him to stand up, step forward, or even ascend a stair and speak. But instead, he leaned over. He descended lower than anyone else — beneath the priests and the people and even beneath the woman. The accusers looked down on her. To see Jesus, they had to look down even further.  

He’s prone to stoop. He stooped to wash feet, to embrace children. Stooped to pull Peter out of the sea, to pray in the garden. He stooped before the Roman whipping post. Stooped to carry the Cross.  

Grace is a God who stoops. This is our King. 

Our children today are bombarded with Social Media images and ideas. They follow their favourite music idols, influencers or sporting idols. Some even get caught up with the media frenzy around Kings and Queens (I almost did). We need to work in partnership to ensure that they understand the nature of ‘their King’ and worship and adore only Him. We want them to model their lives and their attitudes on the one true King, Jesus. 

We want them to prize and value what is truly worthwhile, love, kindness, compassion not what the world seeks fame, wealth, and notoriety. At the South Plympton campus we are encouraging kindness. Students who are noticed performing random acts of kindness for which they will get no reward are nominated and may take home our Kindness Koala, Bob for the week. It is great to recognise these students in our Assembly. 

‘God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.’ Psalm 18:30 (NLT) 

Liz Hinrichsen

Head of Junior School, South Plympton