Healing Rays of Righteousness

Pontius Pilate wanted a simple, quick “yes or no” answer from Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus stood there, ragged, bruised, bleeding, and exhausted after a long night of questioning and abuse. He certainly did not look like a king. There was nothing royal about him. At least nothing that Pilate’s eyes could see.

And after Jesus briefly describes his kingdom, he answered Pilate, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:33-37).

When you think of yourself as being a child of the king, do you think of it more often as a costly duty or as a treasured gift? Does being a child of the king seem to you to feel more like dutiful enslavement or privileged royalty? These are good questions to ponder during these weeks of Lenten meditations.

Today we live in a culture that is hostile to the idea of kingship. Kingship is directly opposite the thought of being my own boss, doing what I want to do in disregard to the rights and desires of others. But even though the idea of kingship may be countercultural to our society, the biblical scriptures assure us that it is a gift to those who claim to be Christian, that is, Jesus followers. Those scriptures repeatedly remind us of who Jesus Christ is as the King of Kings, and furthermore, it is because of God’s love and mercy that we are invited to be in relationship with Jesus as a child of the King.

Listen to the apostle Paul telling us that “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry ‘Abba, Father.’  The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17, ACB).

As children of God, and together with Jesus, we are co-heirs of God’s glorious eternal kingdom, and we would enrich ourselves by thoughtfully meditating on all the heavenly treasures that are presently ours to enjoy, as well as what awaits us throughout eternity. And as children of God, should we not be daily enjoying the rich blessings that belong to us as heirs of God’s riches? I think “Yes!”

Harriett Buell wrote a hymn while walking home from her Methodist church service that encourages us to think more intentionally about our relationship with God. The hymn is titled “A CHILD OF THE KING.”

My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full – He has riches untold.

Chorus:   I’m a child of the King, A child of the King!

With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of the King!

My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men, once wandered o’er earth as the poorest of them;

But now He is reigning forever on high, and will give me a home in heav’n by and by.

I once was an outcast stranger on earth, a sinner by choice and an alien by birth; but

I’ve been adopted; my name’s written down – an heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there!

Tho exiled from home, yet still I may sing: All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.

Amen, and Amen! THANK YOU, JESUS!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 3/19/26