No Kings! Christ is King
Christ the King in a “No Kings” World
Each year in late November, the church proclaims a strange and powerful truth: Christ is King. But in recent months, a phrase has spread online, painted on signs and shouted at rallies: “No Kings.”
In a time when “ruler” is often shorthand for oppression, patriarchy, and authoritarian control, what does it mean to declare Jesus as King?
Let’s be clear about what kind of king we’re talking about.
A Culture That’s Done with Kings
“No Kings” trend is layered.
Some use it to reject nationalism, others to resist celebrity culture or inherited or misused privilege.
It’s often aimed at power hoarded by the few—at structures where wealth, race, or gender decide who gets a voice.
People are tired of being ruled by systems that serve themselves. Many want shared power, not concentrated control. People are tired of leadership by domination.
But listen closely, and you’ll hear something deeper: a longing for fairness, dignity, and justice. The world isn’t saying we want no leadership—it’s saying we want leadership that liberates. We want someone who stands with the poor, who doesn’t exploit but uplifts, who brings equity instead of ego.
In this altarpiece by Jan van Eyck (1432), Christ is seated in majesty, yet the entire piece is filled with symbols of sacrifice. True leadership.
So when the church proclaims, “Christ is King,” it must be clear: we are not defending the power structures people are rightly resisting. We’re pointing to the one kind of kingship the world might actually be crying out for—one that looks like Christ.
What Kind of King Wears a Crown of Thorns?
When we say Christ is King, we’re not talking about gilded thrones or flowing robes. We’re talking about a king who rides into town on a borrowed donkey. Who touches lepers. Who washes the feet of those who would betray him.
We’re talking about a man who refuses violence, even when it would have saved his life. A man who redefines kingship by laying down his life for others, not demanding theirs for his own cause.
Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:37, “So you are a king?” And Jesus responded, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born… to testify to the truth.” He didn’t grab a sword or call down armies. His coronation happened on a cross.
Christ’s kingship is one of paradox: majesty through meekness, power through suffering, victory through death.
A King We Can Trust
Maybe you’ve been burned by authority. Maybe you’ve heard the word “king” and thought: not again. If so, you’re not alone.
Jesus understood the pain of unjust rulers. He stood silent before Pilate. He wept over Jerusalem. He called out hypocritical religious leaders and refused to partner with Empire.
When we say “Christ is King,” we mean that no one else gets the final word.
Not presidents,
not billionaires,
not ideologies.
Not death.
Christ’s kingdom doesn’t advance through control, but through love. Not by silencing others, but by opening a place at the table.
In Luke 23, one of the last voices to recognize Jesus as king was a dying criminal—hanging next to him on a cross. Not exactly royal company. But even there, Jesus made a promise: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is what it means for Christ to be King. He reigns not above us, but with us. Not over the powerful, but among the suffering. Not through dominance, but grace.
Christ the King Sunday: Not a Throwback, but a Challenge
Christ the King Sunday is the final Sunday in the liturgical year. It was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to rising nationalism and fascism.
The church was saying, “Christ, not Caesar, rules our lives.”
It was a protest in itself—a refusal to let empires have the last word.
Nearly a hundred years later, maybe it’s time to recover that spirit.
When the world says “No Kings,” perhaps the Church should say, “Us too—except for One.”
Not because we long for a hierarchy, but because we know how easily power gets corrupted. We don’t follow Christ because he’s in charge.
We follow him because he is good.
FAQ
What is Christ the King Sunday?
Christ the King Sunday is the final Sunday of the Christian liturgical year. It celebrates the reign of Christ as Lord over all creation—not through domination, but through love, justice, and humility.
What does the Bible say about Jesus being a king?
Scripture refers to Jesus as King throughout the New Testament. In Revelation 19:16, He is called “King of kings and Lord of lords.” In John 18:36, Jesus says His kingdom is “not from this world.”
How does Christ’s kingship differ from earthly kings?
Unlike earthly kings who rule by power or wealth, Christ rules by serving others. His authority is grounded in truth, compassion, and self-sacrifice, not fear or coercion.
Why is the phrase “No Kings” trending?
The phrase is used in protest movements that resist authoritarianism, patriarchy, or concentrated power. It reflects a cultural fatigue with oppressive systems—but also opens the door for Christians to present a different kind of King.
