GOLDEN THREAD
Watching the pageantry of the celebration of Queen Elizabeth ll, was personal to me. Those of you who have been reading my blogs for a while, know that I was born in England. My dad was stationed there in the Air Force. I was 3 when we came back to the states, so I do not remember anything about England. Even though I was born and only spent the first 3 years of my life there and have no memories, I still feel a strong pull, a special tie to anything to do with that country. So, I watched this moment, this golden thread in history, which I will not ever see again in my lifetime, of a 96-year-old Queen who had reigned for 70 years. The people evidently loved her, as all of about 27 miles of road, from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle, was lined with thousands and thousands of people wanting to pay their respects and be a part of this historic day. People had started getting a place along the route to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin, several days before the funeral procession. She was truly loved by her subjects.
I started thinking of some similarities and differences to Jesus, between her life as a Queen who had served for 70 years-her death and burial, to Jesus’ life-death and burial. (Of course, I want to say here, there is no comparison between the Queen and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These are just some thoughts I had after seeing the procession and funeral.)
- The Queen’s life compared to Jesus and the differences of their lives here on this earth.
The Queen was very humble. She loved her subjects, her family, horses and her corgi’s. She was member of the church of England. She had a servant leadership. She trusted God and defended her faith in Him. She lived her faith. Walked the walk. She saw much change in the world during her 96 years on this earth and her 70-year reign. She devoted her life in leadership and in service to her people and to being the best Queen she could be. She had a human side-she loved to laugh and to joke. She was in the military before she became Queen. She loved her flower gardens. (Actually, the spray of flowers on her coffin, had myrtle in them. In her wedding bouquet many years before, she had the myrtle from the same gardens.) Her staff loved her and protected her just like the police and guards. She paid allegiance to God before she would let her people pay allegiance to her. She wore bright colored clothing and hats, not out of pride, but because she wanted her subjects to see her and realize that she was real and accessible.
On the other hand, let’s look at Jesus life here on earth. Jesus was humble. He did not even have an earthly home. Philippians 2:8 “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus loved everyone, even to the point of us not humanly understanding. Ephesians 3:19 “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Jesus was a servant and walked the walk. Matthew 20:28 “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” Jesus, Himself, lived what He taught. Jesus had a human side. When His friend, Lazarus, died He wept and felt human pain of the heart. John 11:33b,35 “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled…Jesus wept.” Jesus’ followers tried to protect Jesus. When He was betrayed and arrested in the garden of Gethsemane in John 18:10, Simon Peter “…having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.” Jesus did not wear bright clothing of course, but He was a real human being and was accessible. He wanted the people to realize who He was and that He was real. John 6:69 “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Now think with me, about the Queen’s death procession leading up to her burial. Let’s compare it to the last few days Jesus was on this earth.
Like I noted before there were thousands of people who lined the route, the hearse took with her coffin, wanting to show their respects. Some even said it was a privilege, not even caring how long they waited to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin. They said they would wait as long as they had to, to get even a small short glimpse. It was the least they could do for a Queen who had given her life in service for her kingdom. All along the route, people threw flowers in memory of their Queen. She was a member of a very close royal family who she loved with all her heart. Her funeral and procession were full of pageantry and splendor. Her funeral was made up of verses from the bible being read and sung from choir and the crowd. Her coffin was placed on a state gun carriage, drawn by 142 of Royal Navy service personnel. On her coffin were the nations flag. Also, lay her purple royal crown, made up of jewels and 2862 diamonds. Also, the scepter, which represented the Crown’s power. Also, the Orb, signifying that the monarchy’s power comes from God. Also, the spray of flowers with a personal note from her son, Charles, who is now King, saying “In loving and devoted memory.”
On the other hand, let’s look at Jesus path to the cross, His death and burial.
Jesus started His short ministry at 30. He had spent His short life, performing miracles, serving others and teaching the apostles, disciples and people. In Matthew 19:2 and many other passages of scripture, it tells us “And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.” As Jesus was praying in the garden, Jesus’ sweat was like blood. When He left the garden, he “found them sleeping…” (Luke 22:45) The disciples could not even stay awake waiting for Jesus. On Jesus pathway to the cross, instead of flowers being thrown at Him, in Luke 22:63-65, “Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying ‘Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?’ And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.” Luke 18:33, “They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Pilate asked the crowd if he should release a murderer named Barabbas or Jesus. Luke 23 tells us that they wanted the murderer released and said about Jesus “crucify Him, crucify Him!” Luke 27:28-31 reads “And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and a reed in His right Hand, and they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying. ’Hail, King of the Jews.’ They spat on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.” Luke 24 tells us that Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. This chapter also tells us that He appeared to His disciples and then in verse 51, “Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.”
Jesus’ life was short on this earth unlike the Queen who was 96. The Queen did not rise from the dead. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did. He is waiting on the right hand of God, waiting for us when we leave this earth. The end of Jesus life, was marked with much pain and belittlement. He succumbed to death on a painful cross.
We have shown a lot of attention to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and her celebration. She did reign for the people, who loved her so much. But we must show much more attention to Jesus, death-burial-and resurrection. If He had not suffered and died for us, we would have no hope of an eternal life in heaven with Him. Revelations 21 tells us of the grandeur of heaven. Our lives here on this earth are full of heartache, pain and suffering. But we are told of the streets of gold, and beauty beyond our comprehension. There will be no more tears, “…death, nor sorrow, nor crying…no more pain…” Such grandeur when we rise to meet our Savior in heaven!
Our world is blessed to have had such an amazing Queen Elizabeth ll! She has truly shown us a golden thread thru history. But let’s put our main focus on Jesus and His death-burial-resurrection and the golden thread He has shown us in history. The United Kingdom now has a new King. 1 Timothy 6:15 tells us that Jesus is “…King of kings and Lord of lords…” He isthe one and only true King! We are truly blessed to have a Savior who waits for us to leave this earth and come to Him. I look forward to that day when I can sing with the angels in praise for our God. I hope I can say when I die what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me, the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” DO YOU HAVE THAT HOPE! If not, there is still time. Become a child of God and live in service for Him. Become a member of God’s Royal family!
A GOLDEN THREAD THRU HISTORY! WHAT A BLESSING!
Till next time!
Keela
(I am having my other knee replaced-hopefully-October 4th. So may be a bit before I get another blog out. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.)