You Preach Your Eulogy Every Day

The King Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is to Come

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:4).

Did you catch what John just told us?

Jesus is King.

Not a distant or future king, but the King of our lives right now. Revelation 1 offers a powerful vision of Jesus as the ruler of all creation, challenging us to recognize his kingship not as a mere concept but as a present, living reality.

I thought I understood this. But years ago, it became real in an unexpected way. I visited Fr. Thomas Moore at Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in West Columbia. After praying together, he invited me to venerate an icon and tour their worship space. The moment I entered, I felt the holiness of the place.

There were no chairs or pews. Curious, I asked why. Fr. Thomas simply replied, “In the presence of the King, you stand or kneel—you don’t lounge.”

That stayed with me. It wasn’t just about furniture; it was about a posture of life. In their community, Jesus wasn’t just their King in name; his kingship shaped their worship, their fasting, their feasting, their entire way of life. They lived like Jesus was King right now.

What about us? Do we live as though Jesus is our King?

Jesus, the King of Kings

Revelation 1:5 calls Jesus “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” He’s not just the ruler over all earthly powers—he’s the ruler over us.

And this King is calling us out of the things that kill us—our overwork, stress, and sin—into life. Not just eternal life someday, but life now.

But for Jesus to bring this life to us, he must truly be our King. As Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Or Isaiah 6: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” And in Matthew 28:18, Jesus himself proclaims, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Yet, we resist. We live in a culture that fears kingship, preferring autonomy and self-determination. But Jesus isn’t a tyrant—he’s the King of grace, truth, and love. His death and resurrection restore all creation, inviting us to live under his perfect reign. When Jesus is truly our King, we find not restriction but freedom, not drudgery but joy.

Living in Readiness

If Jesus is our King, what does readiness for him look like? How do we prepare to meet him—not just in his second coming but in the daily moments of our lives?

1. Reverence and Awe

Fr. Thomas’s church reminded me that we often forget the holiness of the King. In the busyness of life, we lose sight of his majesty. This Advent, commit to moments of awe. Take a walk under the stars and marvel at his creation. Reflect on the people who’ve blessed your life and thank God for them. As Hebrews 12:28-29 says, “Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

2. Faithful Obedience

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Readiness isn’t about anxious effort; it’s about living in love. When we love Jesus, obedience becomes our natural response. As 1 John 2:6 reminds us, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

3. Repentance and Renewal

Revelation 1:5 tells us that Jesus “freed us from our sins by his blood.” But this freedom invites daily repentance—a turning from sin and toward God. When we fail, we remember that we have an advocate in Jesus (1 John 2:1). He has already dealt with our sin. Confess, repent, and move forward in love.

4. Witness and Proclamation

Finally, we are called to proclaim Jesus as King. Revelation 1:6 declares that we are “a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.” This means we are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, sent to represent the King in every aspect of our lives.

Think of St. Michael’s as the embassy of God’s Kingdom here in Columbia. What happens in embassies? Ambassadors gather, receive their instructions, and carry out their mission in the world. Similarly, our life together at St. Michael’s equips us to represent Christ’s reign wherever we go—our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

My mom likes to say, “You preach your eulogy every day by how you live.” When we live with reverence, love, and service, we proclaim Jesus as King—not just with words, but with our whole lives. The world is watching, and through us, they see a glimpse of the Kingdom.

Standing in the Presence of the King

Imagine standing before the King of kings. Will he find you ready—standing in awe, kneeling in surrender, or distracted and lounging?

The truth is, this very week, you will stand in the presence of the King—not in some distant or metaphorical sense, but here and now. And so, let our words and actions proclaim“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 1:6).