A Solid Throne

Pentecost Proper 29; Christ the King Sunday

From “Sitting on the Rainbow”

Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud

Scripture Reference: Psalm 93:1-2 

Preparation: Bring a chair that slides or rolls easily across the floor to serve as a throne. Place it where the children will be able to push it for some distance.

Today is Christ the King Sunday. Did you know that? Today we read Bible verses and sing hymns that remind us that the Lord is King over everything on earth and in heaven. How do you recognize a king? (Children can offer responses. You may prompt them with more specific questions.) What does a king wear? A crown, a robe. What does a king hold in his hand? A scepter. What does a king sit on? A throne.

Let’s pretend just for a bit that I’m a king and this chair here is my royal throne. I’m going to sit down; then you try to move my throne. Go ahead and push on my throne. Does it move? (Let children push the chair so that it slides a little.) My throne is not very solid and strong, is it? Is it made of heavy stone? Is it bolted to the floor? No. It can be moved very easily. That’s not surprising, though, because I’m not really a king. In fact, this is not really a throne.

Who is really a king? Who is our king? (Let children answer.) Let me read to you from Psalm 93 in the Old Testament: “The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has been established from time immemorial” (vv. 1-2 NLT).

Is God’s throne solid? Can it be moved? Can God’s kingdom ever be taken over by some other king? (Let children respond.) No, it can’t. God’s throne is even more solid than the earth! If you jump up and down on the earth, can you move it? (You can try jumping with the children.) The earth seems pretty solid, doesn’t it? But even the earth moves sometimes. There are earthquakes and volcanoes and land that gets washed away into the sea. God’s throne is stronger and more solid than the very earth that we’re standing on.

There have been many kings and queens who have lived at different times and in different lands. Some of them have wanted to rule the whole world. Some kings and queens have been very powerful and have taken over many countries. They have built huge, beautiful castles and have had fancy thrones. But when those rulers of this earth reach the end of their lives, are they kings and queens anymore? No. Usually another ruler takes over their throne.

The kings of this earth don’t compare to our heavenly King who rules over everything in heaven and on earth. God’s kingdom has no end. It is a kingdom of love. And we are part of that kingdom. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being the eternal King over the earth and the heavens. All glory and honor be to you, Lord God.