Greetings from Christ Church Dunstable! On 6th Feb 1952, Princess Elizabeth II ascended to the throne. 70 years later we are celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. The first British Monarch to ever achieve such a thing. You will all have heard much about the Queen over these last months and depending on when you are reading this, you may have recently celebrated her Jubilee with a street party. All these festivities have got me thinking. What makes a good ruler? Be it a monarch, prime minister, president, even a manager in an office or parent! So, I asked our community groups at The Way Coffee House:
What makes a good ruler? Among the answers were: • Dedicated
• Honesty/integrity
• Caring for those under their authority • Someone who blesses others • Leads by example
I must say I agree with them! I’d be very happy with someone like this in charge. Whatever your opinion of the monarchy, we must acknowledge and applaud the Queen’s dedication to her role. On her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth recorded a message declaring to the commonwealth that she was ready and willing to devote her life to the service of the people. Although she never expected it to happen so soon, at the age of 25 she found herself ascending to the throne and bearingthe responsibility of the promise she made. And as she did, she called upon the people - and also her God - for help. In her very first Christmas address in 1952 she
said, ‘Pray for me … that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.’ Even though the Queen has the highest authority in the land she understood that her position was not one to use to exploit those under her rule, but to serve them which she has done for over 70 years. She truly has been a servant queen.
Throughout the years, the Queen has pointed to Jesus Christ as her ‘guide’, ‘inspiration’, and ‘rolemodel’. And we can see that her attitude of service is modelled by the only One who holds a higher authority than her, Jesus, the King of Kings and Queens.
In Philippians chapter 2 in the Bible, we read
that Jesus, “being in very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself
nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” Jesus says in Mark chapter 10 verse 45, referring to himself, “the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
King Jesus isn’t a tyrant or dictator but a loving and dedicated sovereign who loves his people. Even giving his life so that we might be saved, and the justice of God upheld. That’s the King who I, and Christians all around the world, serve. If you’d like to know more about him do come and see us at Christ Church Dunstable or in The Way, or why not send us an email? Warmly yours, Steve Neal Community Engagement Pastor
http://ccd.church • Telephone: 01582 661621 • Email: hello@ccd.church
6
www.thevinedirectory.co.uk
