King Charles III

Charles Philip Arthur George was born on November 14, 1948, during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and became heir apparent to the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, acceded to the throne in 1952. He waited 70 years, until the death of his mother on September 8, 2022, to become the King of the United Kingdom. He chose Charles III as his royal name.

We who live in democratic countries, theoretically ruled by the people, demos, don’t understand the value of a kingly or queenly rule. Even in the United Kingdom, it has lost its significance. But some Middle Eastern countries with sultans and Asian countries with kings or queens (e.g., Thailand and Japan) understand the importance of living under a monarchy where a supreme leader decides the direction of their country. (Sadly, dictatorial countries experience this, but not in a benevolent way.)

But what if we have been made the king or queen of a country? What if the rule of a nation has been given to us, with us having the privilege to name that country and rule it as we wish?  

That was what Jesus promised his disciples.

“Little flock – don’t fear because your Father was pleased to give you the kingdom/rule.” (Luke 12:32)

When nations choose leaders, they seek powerful and strong rulers. The Israelites chose Saul, who stood taller than the rest of the people. But God chose David, who even his father didn’t think was significant enough to bring before Samuel, who had gone to his house looking to anoint the next king. The Lord Jesus knew this principle of the least ruling God’s kingdom and called his disciples the little (micro) flock. From the world’s point of view, they were nobody! They wouldn’t qualify for nobility, much less for royalty. Yet, from God the Father’s perspective, the kingdom or rule of God belongs to them. And just as he strengthened Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah, and David to rule his people, he would strengthen them. That was why they shouldn’t fear. God was pleased to give his kingdom to them, and he would strengthen them to fulfill his mission.

This promise went along with what he had said to them earlier.

“You seek his kingdom/rule, and all your needs [food and clothing] will be given to you.” (12:31)

When God’s people sought his kingdom/rule, God gave it to them and made them kings and queens. When one had God’s kingdom and was God’s king or queen, s/he had everything that s/he needed and more; after all, s/he was the king or queen. That was why they shouldn’t worry about food or clothing; instead, they should seek the kingdom/rule.

In a way, the Lord was enlarging their vision. They were narrow-minded and sought food and clothing. Instead, they should want more – a kingdom – like King Charles III, who patiently waited 70 years to become the King of the United Kingdom!

We, too, can become narrow-focused, seeking only what we need for food and clothing. But the Lord wants us to have large visions – how we may be kings and queens in his kingdom and bring about his rule on earth. We achieve that by seeking it and not fearing our limitations and what others think of us. Instead, we focus on the Lord, God, and their kingdom.