The kingdom of Jesus is on the cross
May 11, 2023 - Thursday, Fifth Week of Easter
Psalm 96:1-3, 10
Psalm 96 celebrates the enthronement of the Lord as king over all creation and any power, including powerful human leaders. The Lord reigned from the temple and the awe-inspiring liturgy conducted by the priests and Levites glorified and praised His holy name. The reign of God over the entire world and all nations was celebrated, proclaimed, and enacted in the liturgy of the temple.
The Church is the temple of God built of living stones - Christ’s believers. The constitution on Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II declares that through the liturgy of the Church “the work of our redemption is accomplished”. Then, the constitution adds that through the liturgy we “may express in [our] lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church” (see SC, 2).
The psalmist calls God’s people and all the earth to sing a new song to the Lord. We hear this new song in the book of Revelation sung in the heavenly liturgy. The song praises the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ for redeeming the world (Rev 5:9-10). The book of Revelation also tells us that no one could learn that new song except those who followed the Lamb of God (Rev 14:3-5). But it is not just about singing. The psalmist also calls God’s people to announce God’s salvation. The verb “announce” refers to the proclamation of Good News about God’s mighty deeds that bring salvation to his people. This verb is at the root of our Gospel. The Gospel of Mark begins with it: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
We are called to declare among the nations that the Lord is king and that he comes to rule the earth with equity and justice. The Bible is very clear on the fact that human authority fails to rule with equity and justice. It is evident in the failed kings of Israel's monarchy and the leaders of the worldly empires. Jewish kings were blasted for their injustice and corruption by God’s prophets, the Pharaoh of Egypt enslaved God’s people and the emperors of Assyria and Babylon destroyed God’s people. The only hope that remains is the direct rule of God. And so he comes to rule the people with equity and justice in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the kingdom of God in person.
In our liturgical translation of Psalm 96:10, we hear: “The Lord is king”. But there is evidence from the second century AD that our brothers and sisters in faith heard in this verse: "The Lord has reigned from the wood”. This is an incredible prophecy of Jesus’ reign. As the first Christians profoundly put it: “The kingdom of Jesus is on the cross" (the Letter of Barnabas).