Kahu's Manao

Keawala‘i Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)

Reign of Christ
Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika

“A Wise Reign”
Revelation 1:4b-8 & John 18:33-37

I was in Honolulu a few weeks ago for an annual event known as “Nā Leo O Ke Ola: The Voices of Life.” The event was sponsored by the Pū‘ā Foundation, a non-profit organization that was established in 1996, in response to the public apology made by the United Church of Christ and the Congress of the United States regarding the overthrow of the kingdom of Hawai‘i in 1893 by American businessmen and American armed forces.

I have served on the Board of Directors for the foundation since its inception. The work of the foundation is focused on the development of educational resources for Native Hawaiians, as well as the development and management of properties on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i island.

In 2007 the annual event honored three of our Native Hawaiian kahu or pastors including the Rev. David Kaupu, the Rev. William Kaina, and the Rev. James Mersberg. A documentary of their lives and ministries is available on a DVD at our Gift Table.

In 2008 we recognized and honored the lifelong work of three of our Native Hawaiian kumu hula or master teachers of hula including Leina‘ala Kalama Heine of O‘ahu; Pua Kanaka‘ole Kanahele of Hawai‘i island, and Hokulani Holt Padilla of Maui. A documentary on their lives and their work was also done.

The initial honorees for this year’s event was to include the Ali‘i Trusts: Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop born Bernice Pauahi Pākīfor the Bishop Estate-Kamehameha Schools; Queen Lili‘uokalani born Lydia Kamaka‘eha for the Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center; King William Charles Lunalilo for Lunalilo Home; and Queen Emma Kalanikaumakaamano Käleleonālani Naea Rooke for the Queen’s Medical Center.

As members of the Board of Directors for the foundation, we realized after some discussion that to honor all four of the ali‘i would be a monumental task and so the decision was made to focus on Lunalilo this year. We know that following their deaths the estate of Pauahi was established to benefit the education of Hawaiian children and the estate of Lili‘uokalani was set up to benefit the Hawaiian children who were orphaned and destitute. Emma’s estate would provide health care for Hawaiians of all ages and Lunalilo’s estate would provide housing for the elderly.

Lunalilo reigned as king of Hawai‘i from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874. His reign of 1 year and 26 days was the shortest of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. He died from tuberculosis after moving to Kailua, Kona at the age of 39.

Throughout his reign the young king did not enjoy good health. He had a habit of drinking too much and while some may have maligned the young king for his consumption of alcohol, he was still regarded as “The People’s King.”

It was Lunalilo who sought to strengthen the Hawaiian government by seeking to strengthen the two houses of the legislature including the House of Nobles and the House of Representatives. Under his predecessor, King Kamehameha V, the two house were combined into one.

It was Lunalilo’s desire to restore the two houses into a bicameral legislature and to strengthen the democratic process for the people. It was also his desire to improve Hawai‘i’s economic situation.

Before his death Lunalilo made the decision that whatever benefits may come from his estate would be used to provide housing for the elderly. When questioned about his decision he reminded his listeners that it was Pai‘ea – Kamehameha the Great – who established Kanawai Mamalahoe or “the law of the splintered paddle” – a law which protected the human rights of non-combatants in times of battle, including women, children and the elderly.

Lunalilo said his commitment to the elderly was to further the work of Kamehameha the Great. What is remarkable about Lunalilo as well as Pauahi, Lili‘uokalani and Emma was their aloha and care for their people.

They did not build libraries to themselves. Instead they left to the people of their beloved kingdom resources for education, health care, and housing.

They were all educated at the Royal School which was established by the American missionaries. As such it would be safe to say that they were probably familiar with our reading this morning from The Gospel According to John.

Today is acknowledged as the Reign of Christ Sunday. It is a day when we affirm that the reign of God through Jesus Christ abounds whenever we choose to live under God’s authority and not the authority of a king or queen – or even president.

Emma ruled as queen to Kamehameha V. Near his death, Kamehameha V offered the throne to Pauahi but she declined his offer. Lunalilo did not name an heir to the throne. He had intended for Emma to succeed him but in the end it was Kalākaua who became king and upon his death it was his sister Lili‘uokalani who became queen.

There are some who lament the history of the kingdom of Hawai‘i wanting to point to the foibles and failures of the ali‘i. Yet what I have come to believe is this: Our ali‘i were men and women who despite their own weaknesses sought to witness to the truth of God’s reign of compassion in their care and aloha for others.

Our reading this morning opens with the trial of Jesus before Pilate. Pilate is the Roman governor of Judea. He ruled on the emperor’s behalf and commanded the Roman troops in Judea.

When Jesus is brought before him, he is questioned by the high priest. Pilate is there to listen and to observe the trial. It is Pilate who sits in judgment and he does so under the authority of Roman power. He is not there to dispute Jewish traditions.

Pilate is told that Jesus is a criminal. (John 18:30) But a more serious charge is made that Jesus presumes himself to be a king. (John 18:34)

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asks the high priest.

In other accounts in The Gospel According to John, Nathaniel confesses Jesus to be the “King of Israel.” (John 1:49). The crowd fed by Jesus seeks to make him “king.” (John 6:15). “King” or “king of the Jews” occurs nine times as Jesus stands before Pilate.

All the evidence seems to suggest that Jesus saw himself as a king. When the judgment is made that Jesus be crucified, the decision is not a religious one. Instead it is a political verdict. The trial and outcome rests on the charge against Jesus as king.

As a consequence of the decision that is made to crucify Jesus the people find themselves at odds with the ruling power. Even though Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world, Pilate knows this will not satisfy the Roman authorities or the Jewish people.

In the trial before Pilate, Jesus explains that he has been called to testify to the truth. (John 1:14; 17) Later we discover that “truth” is associated with the presence and work of the Spirit. (John 16:13)

The passage ends with the affirmation that those who belong to the truth hear his voice. It is this sense of listening and belonging that reminds us of Jesus as the good shepherd. (John 10) It may be that this connection is one that the writer of John makes intentionally. After all we know that sheep hear the voice of their shepherd and that a good shepherd is the one who lays down his life for his sheep, which will be the outcome of Jesus’ trial.

The other connection is that shepherd is a frequent metaphor for Israel’s leaders; especially kings. To recognize the reign of God in Jesus is to rely on understanding of what a shepherd is and does.

I believe that Pauahi, Emma, Lili’uokalani, and Lunalilo were good shepherds. I believe that they understood that the truth Jesus spoke was about ultimate power and that that power and authority was not theirs to claim. Instead Jesus’ invitation is that we take part in God’s wise reign here on earth by living out the truth of God’s compassion for all.

Mahalo ke Akua! Thanks be to God. Amen.

About Our Website
Any opinions expressed in this website are those of the writer or writers involved. Unless otherwise noted, such opinions are not to be construed as the position taken by any of the boards, committees, or council of the church.