Next week the
Netherlands will take a historic step that none alive have seen in the Netherlands. They will once
again have a king instead of a queen. The last King of the Netherlands was
Willem III who died in 1890. Since then there have been three queens. But on
April 30 the monarchy will pass into the hands of Queen Beatrix’ son who will
become King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
What is so great about
a king (or queen)? Isn’t that what most countries without a monarchy fought to
free themselves from? Of course, most modern monarchies are mostly ceremonial
unless we look at some of the examples in the middle east. The monarch is
beholden to the constitution and often has very little real power in the
country, although he/she may have quite extensive wealth. These monarchs do
have various forms of influence, however, which they exercise to varying
degrees of success.
In Belgium, King
Boudewijn had to step down for a day for a law allowing abortion to pass.This
was a law the government had written and passed but which the king personally
would not sign into law because of his beliefs. In Thailand, the king has often
been called on to help settle political disputes between parties. Queen Beatrix
in the Netherlands has always been seen as a powerful influence in getting
Dutch companies good contracts around the world. Her networking is what makes
the difference.
So next Tuesday, the
Netherlands will turn orange (the color of the royal family, the house of
Orange) as the country welcomes a new monarch. It is a time of parties, parades
and plenty of fun for a day. And when, as happened in 2010, someone is unhappy
and the day ends in tragedy, it is the whole country that mourns. Queen’s Day
is a day of national unity, in joy and in sorrow. And now it will be King’s
Day.
And because I come from
one of those countries without a monarch, certain links between this and the
King of kings, Jesus Christ jump out at me. Here are just a few thoughts:
- A king is not
elected. He is king, whether we want it to be so or not. Jesus is King, not
because we like him or want him. We can choose to accept him for our lives, but
he is King whether we follow him or not.
- On King’s Day everybody
(or almost everybody) is a fan of the king, at least on the surface of things.
It is only after this day, in the
day-to-day living that we see how much we really follow or rely on the king.
- Our kings are limited
by us. Am I limiting Jesus’ influence in my life? Making him simply a
ceremonial head of my days? Using him to influence business deals and parties,
but not really paying attention otherwise?
- Can I be crazy for my
King? Does it really matter to me so much what others think of me? Or can I put
on His colors – act like Jesus in my daily life – and let people know who I
belong to?
I will enjoy King’s Day
next week and I will continue to allow it to remind me of who is really in
charge, and who I really want to be in charge of my daily life.
