How does one worship this king?

Today's epistle lesson reminds us of the appropriate attitude and demeanor we are to express in the presence of Christ. At his name every knee is to bend...that is, at his name we are to remember that we are loved and protected eternally by the King of the Universe. When we bow our heads, bend our knees and acknowledge the reign of Christ over our lives, we are living portraits of gratitude. As we acknowledge the nature of the Love embodied by Christ, we also place ourselves in an attitude that is open to the counsel and guidance that will not only protect us from our own folly but that will also move us into a selfless lifestyle for the good of others. This ruler is one who provides everything we need...with abundance. In his presence we are made new and complete...and we are granted the freedom to proclaim His name and His power to the world.

As we heard in today's sermon, this whole idea of bowing before another is more than a bit "foreign" to many of us. In general, Americans tend to bow only if a tragedy has occured...if the occasion is somber...or when everybody is gathered to memorialize "something." In many churches kneelers have been removed and kneeling is seen as something extraordinary...or over zealous.

If the movement away from bowing before God were rooted in a truth that we have completed perfectly the mission to which we have been called, then maybe we could say: No need to bow anymore...we have accomplished all that you have asked us to do... we have worshipped you with our whole heart and loved our neighbors as ourselves in all times and places.

But that isn't true...not at all. Why is bending the knee disagreeable to so many? Is it pride? Or is it a lack of understanding...or is it that we haven't been "taught" how to bow with humility?

Or is it fear? We know that humanity has used bowing to lift up and emphasize human power...human oppression...rooted in egos and self-proclaimed authorities. We don't want to force others to bow before human oppressors. Far too many people have been forced to their knees only to be violated or executed...and to that we say NO MORE!

But recall the qualities of Jesus...and see if something moves just a bit as you envision yourself at his feet. We have nothing to fear in the presence of our creator, our redeemer and our eternal comforter/counselor. Can you see yourself bowing down before the one who himself bowed down on YOUR behalf?

Before you go too far along this week and drift away from the scriptures for Christ the King Sunday, I invite you to read them again... Express your love, gratitude and honor for the King who laid down his life for you....and, if at all possible, see what it is like to bend your knee or to bow down as you pray!