In this week's video, Bishop Richard uses backdrop of Hereford Cathedral's corona – a symbolic representation of Jesus' crown of thorns – to explore the paradox of Jesus' character and ministry, and Jesus' favoured description of himself as the 'Son of Man'. He is both 'Christ the King, but at the same time remarkably human.'
'If Jesus is this extraordinary ‘both and’ character, it is no surprise that his Kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. The origin of Jesus' Kingdom 'is not in the will of human beings with their desires for power and control. It is an expression of God’s justice and righteousness which will never end.'
'The marks of the Kingdom Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount are about character, behaviour and ethics, and perceptive insight into where happiness is really to be found. It paints a picture of a transformed earth of kindness, love, mutual support and contentment. But these things don’t appear in isolation, but when we submit to Christ as King.'
Now may you find in Christ, riches and rest
May you be blessed in him, and he in you
In Heaven, where to grant you your request
Is always blessing, for your heart is true:
True to yourself and true to Christ your King.
Breathe through this coronation psalm and view
The glory of his golden crown, then sing
The exaltation, goodness, life and power,
The blessing and salvation Christ will bring.
But first he wears a darker crown. The hour
Is coming and has come. Our Lord comes down
Into the heart of all our hurts to wear
With us the sharp corona spina, crown
Of thorns, and to descend with us to death
Before he shares with us the golden crown.
Bishop Richard's weekly video #223
There is a transcript of this week's video on the diocesan website.