In just a few
days, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan
(the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) will leave their duties as a part of the royal
family in the United Kingdom. They
announced this decision to the surprise of many back in January in hopes of
living a more peaceful life.
I think that it is true that many American citizens have a
fascination with royalty. I first
became aware of that fascination back in the 1980’s when I was on the staff of
a church youth retreat that featured hundreds of teenagers. One morning, a group of teenage girls came to
myself and other staff seeking permission to arise early and watch television early
the next morning. I and the other adult staff of the youth
event were stunned by the request because this same group of girls had
struggled to arise for breakfast and morning devotions each day of that
week. We soon discovered that the
reason why the girls wanted to be “early
birds” one morning was so they could watch the wedding of Prince Charles to
Diana. I suppose some of those girls were
living vicariously through Diana as they hoped they would be a princess not
just to their parents but to a real Prince Charming one day.
The decision of Prince Harry and Meghan to step away from
their royal duties is going to have some consequences such as they will no
longer live in a royal residence… they will no longer receive royal monies… and
they will no longer receive security as members of the royal family.
I know little about the faith and religious life of
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. It
does occur to me that they have something in common with Jesus. As Prince Harry and Meghan are giving up their royal titles and benefeits, so the
Lord Jesus did the same when he left being the “King of Kings, Lord or Lords”
to be the “word made flesh” as the son
of Mary living a simple existence in a town called Nazareth. While Prince Harry and Meghan gave up their
royal life in hopes of seeking a more serene life, the Lord Jesus gave up his royal status
because of His love for you, me, and the whole world. I am reminded of the words of Philippians 2
where we read:
5 In your relationships
with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in very nature[a] God, did not consider
equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human
likeness. 8 And
being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that
is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Have a joy-filled week!.-
Pastor Randy Wall
Prayer: Lord and God, we pause with gratitude and
humility at the wondrous truth that the Lord Jesus left his seat at your right
hand in glory to live among us and die for our sins. Grant that our life might be an unending song
of praise to you. Amen.
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