Art Reading Scripture

Christ Pantocrator Baptistry of St. John Florence Italy Ceiling Mosaic by Tuscan Craftsmen 1260-1275

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world." John 18:33-34

The image of Christ Pantocrator was popular and repeatedly depicted in icons, the ceilings of places of worship, and paintings. Pantocrator is a title meaning "ruler of the universe." Most often it appears in the context of the last judgment. "... and he will come to judge the living and the dead." The imagery is always majestic and authoritative. Christ sits, though not on a throne but sort of hovering in the air. Often the hues are of rich gold signifying both the eternal light of heaven as well as songs of the saints in light, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Revelation 5:11 The indication of "the Lamb that was slaughtered" appears in the wounds in Christ's hands and feet. The halo surrounding Christ's head also has within it a cross.

This is a judgment scene. Surrounding the figure of Christ Pantocrator on both sides scenes of the redeemed and damned unfold. Towards the top, (outside of view in this photo), angels blow trumpets and show signs of the Passion. In the middle to the left is Mary with 12 angels and on the right is a hairy John the Baptist with the 12 apostle. Below are scenes of the resurrection of the dead. Jesus open right hand blesses those on the left to life. With a closed left hand hand Jesus judges those on the right to all the gruesome horrors of hell. Those baptized here would look up from the waters to see their salvation. To see this imagery in greater detail visit https://duomo.firenze.it/en/discover/baptistry/9166/

Christ the King Sunday a recent addition to the church calendar. It was added to the church calendar in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Pope Pius XI instituted it in response to a perceived secularism and nationalism arising in the world which directed authority earthly rulers. In America we elect a President at the beginning of November and proclaim Christ King at the end of November. At first it was observed in October, and later moved to the last Sunday of the Church year just before Advent. In some Church calendars the Sunday's of November are called Sunday's of the last times, culminating in this scene of Christ the King as the Last Judgment. Some Churches call it Judgment Sunday.

In John 12 after Jesus had entered Jerusalem for Passover Jesus spoke about his impending death. "Now is my soul troubled." His hour had come, the hour of crucifixion and death. Ironically he spoke of it as a time of the glorification of God's name. Then Jesus spoke of the judgment of this world. "Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself. He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die." John 12:31-33. The judgment Christ gave from the cross was forgiveness and mercy, rather than wrath and condemnation. The ruler of this world, sin, death and the devil, were driven out by the love and life of God given for the world in the only Son. It is because of mercy and grace, forgiveness and love that people are drawn to Christ, rather than because of fear and hell. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17

As much as images of Christ Pantocrator, Christ the King, are beautiful and majestic, I remain skeptical of the idea. Christ's life was service and love. Christ's judgment was life and freedom from bondage to sin, death and the devil. The Gospel readings for Christ the King do include the Parable of the Last Judgment from Matthew 25. But they also include John 18:33-37, Jesus before Pilate, and Luke 23:33-43, the crucifixion and the words from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." Perhaps the culmination of the Church year might reflect this. Rather than an image of judgment, power and majesty, might we consider Christ the Crucified Sunday, or Christ the Merciful Sunday. It is finally this Christ that we look to, and this Christ we yearn for.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer