VISIT FROM THE KING
VISIT FROM THE KING
On May 26, 2025[1], King Charles III arrived in Ottawa with his wife, Queen Camilla, for his first visit since his coronation. This visit was intended to be strategic, organized in the midst of a tariff war and the threat of annexation by the US government. The visit ended the following day with the Speech from the Throne, followed by a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the return to Ottawa's MacDonald-Cartier International Airport.
This visit aroused
a variety of feelings in the population: joy among monarchists, cynicism among
independentists, indifference among others, then satisfaction among
non-monarchists for whom this visit is welcome for the message it conveys about
Canada's sovereignty.
Our country, Canada, was founded on a
Judeo-Christian culture. This brings me to the Bible. The Jewish people were
the people who received the divine revelation. This is what gave us the Old
Testament. Israel’s neighboring nations were ruled by kings.
In the biblical writings, in the Old Testament, from the book of
Deuteronomy onwards, the topic of kingship is dealt with. In Deuteronomy[2], we have advice regarding a possible king for the nation of Israel.
Then, several years later, Saul was chosen as king. But because of his
spiritual backslidings, he was replaced by David, a "man after God's own heart"[3]. His son Solomon was renowned for his wisdom for a few years after succeeding
his father David to the throne. However, his spiritual and moral deviations led
him away from God and, under the reign of his son Rehoboam, the kingdom was
divided (kingdom of Israel and kingdom of Judah). Later, after several
centuries, the nation was deported to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. This was
the end of royal rule in Israel.
The theme of kingship can also be found in the prophecies announcing the future coming of the Messiah, both in the book of Psalms and in the books of the prophets, including Isaiah and Daniel.
The kingship of Jesus Christ
In the New Testament, scripture written after the coming
of Jesus Christ, the Messiah is described as a king, indeed as the King of
kings[4].
Just as we were visited by King
Charles III to consolidate and strengthen our political situation, Jesus
visited us over 2,000 years ago to fulfil his mission to save, through his
death on the cross, all those who put their trust in him.
As with King Charles III, opinions
about Jesus differed from person to person.
The apostle John, speaking of Jesus as
"the Word", tells us:
"He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But
to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the
flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word
became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the
only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth[5]".
What impact does the kingship of Jesus Christ have on my life?
The theme of kingship fills the
Bible, particularly that of God's sovereignty.
When Jesus was ‘grilled’ during the
interrogation prior to his crucifixion, the governor Pontius Pilate asked him
the question: "Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus replied: "You have said so"[6].
Moreover, this reign is not limited to the Jewish nation, but extends to all true believers, whatever their nationality. This is what we see throughout the New Testament. Every human being who willingly receives, by divine grace, the forgiveness of his sins, and wholeheartedly follows the teachings of Jesus, enters this spiritual kingdom.
Conclusion
King Charles III’s visit was an event
of great importance, but there are definitely differences of opinion about it,
depending on the viewpoint one adopts regarding the place of the monarchy in
Canada.
But Jesus'
kingship is not the same as Charles. As far as Jesus' kingship is
concerned, its importance is primordial on the spiritual level, because the
redemption that he acquired for all those who trust in him is fundamental. It constitutes
our only means of being saved and forgiven of all our sins. Jesus is
incomparable. No other prophet, no other human being can grant us eternal life.
That's why he is called the "Prince of Life.[8]". Then, at the end of the New Testament, he is called:
"King of kings and Lord of lords[9]"
Come, in your heart, to this Prince
of life, call on him to receive full forgiveness and eternal life. He is a most
accessible King. He said:
"Come to me, all who labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from
me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls[10]".
[1] I
wish to thank Deborah Lynn Kuz Jongsma for volunteering to proofread and revise
this English translation.
[2] Deuteronomy
17:14
[3] 1 Samuel 13:14
[4]
Revelation 17:14
[5] John
1:11-14
[6] Matthew
27:11
[7] John 18:36
[8]
Acts 3:15
[9] Revelation 19:16
[10]
Matthew 11:28, 29
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