The Odd Paradoxical Situation of Kings

I spoke months ago about the image of the circle in describing all ancient and modern systems of political and social organization.  The one with the greatest authority is in the center of the figurative circle, those who the one at the center gives authority to constitute the circle itself, and the overwhelming majority of those in the system are outside the circle; they are the excluded and marginalized.  In ancient Israel, the King was the one at the center, surrounded by the religious and political authorities (on the circle itself); with virtually everyone else on the outside; children, women, the outcasts, the unclean, non-Israelite males.

This system creates and perpetuates anxiety, suffering, and persecution, with those on the circle neurotic about maintaining their place on the circle, and excluding and marginalizing those on the outside.  Those on the outside were punished for being on the outside of the circle.

You would assume that the one person in the system who was free of anxiety, suffering, and marginalization was the one at the center of the circle; the King.  Today is Christ the King Sunday in the liturgical year, when the image of Christ as King is explored.  This provides an opportunity to reveal the odd paradoxical situation of Kings in the ancient world, as well as their modern equivalents (e.g. CEO's in the corporate world, leaders of sovereign nations, etc...).  The irony is that the one at the center of the circle was actually the one most marginalized, vulnerable, and excluded.  In fact, modern anthropology would suggest that the origin of Kings has its roots not in the process of the most powerful male seizing power, but in the primordial need to sacrifice and scapegoat; that is, that the practice and system of monarchy actually arose out of those who were marginalized to provide a scapegoat--a figure for the community to sacrifice to alleviate tensions that arise within the community.

Jesus said that the one who is greatest in the Kingdom of God would be the one most willing to sacrifice for others.  It is often said that the cross is the last place where you would expect to find a King.  In reality, the ancient world know that this was the first place where you would expect to find a King; being sacrificed for the Kingdom.  The image of Jesus as King refers not to power and glory in the world's eyes, but to a willingness to sacrifice.  When we sing that our cross will be exchanged for a crown, it will not be a gold crown of glory in the world's eyes, but a crown reflecting our willingness to sacrifice ourselves for others as one who has lived under the Lordship of Christ.