Murray Smith
Last Saturday millions worldwide joined on-line, with London’s masses for the coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the ‘commonwealth realms’. The incredible detail and the planning for this spectacle beggars belief.
Although intrigued with the origins of pageantry and complex ceremonial traditions, I see a cavernous gap of detachment between this occasion, and how most of us live. Might an inbuilt longing for participation in a more ‘glorious reality’ address the inexplicable appetite this event held for so many?
The budget (reported to reach £250 million – over $NZ500 million), is an eye-watering sum. More than £150 million (over $NZ300 million) was shelled out on security alone!
Planning for the occasion began years ago, under the code name ‘Operation Golden Orb’, in recognition of Queen Elizabeth’s advanced age and anticipated passing. Charles became king immediately after her death on September 8, 2022. During Elizabeth’s reign, planning meetings for Operation Golden Orb were held at least once a year, attended by government representatives, Charles’ staff and Church of England leaders.
Saturday’s coronation service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Abbey, was witnessed in person by 2200 invited guests. Watching the coronation splendour of this earthly king serves to remind us that all the layers of grand pageantry, symbolism, music and celebration were nothing more than a very, very faint shadow of an unspeakably more glorious ‘coronation’ yet to come.
I’m referring of course to a coming moment in time, when the world will acknowledge Christ, the King of all Kings, taking His throne and establishing a rule of perfect order, truth, justice and righteousness.
Much of the symbolism in Charles III’s coronation existed centuries ago, ‘pointing’ to the reality of this supreme, eternal King being revealed. The be-jewelled orb, for example was originally made for Charles II’s coronation way back in 1661. The cross above the globe represents “Christ’s dominion over the world.” When the Archbishop of Canterbury placed it into the king’s right hand, he said, “Receive this orb set under the cross, and remember that the whole world is subject to the Power and Empire of Christ our Redeemer.”
The Coronation Chair is a very old wooden chair on which a total of 26 monarchs have sat since 1296 to be crowned at their coronations in Westminster Abbey. Again, a pale shadow symbolising Christ ultimately ruling from His throne.
The crown is the centrepiece of the United Kingdom’s Crown Jewels. Different crowns have been used to crown British monarchs since the 13th century.
More than nine centuries later, believers eagerly watch the signs of the times and wait for the coming of Jesus Christ — the King of Kings and Lord of Lords — to whom every knee will bow, and they pray for the hastening of that coming kingdom.
An exclusive few were invited to last week’s coronation. But you, along with every person, are extended an open invitation from God, to share in King Jesus’ coming ‘coronation’ and reign.
RSVP by acknowledging Jesus now, receiving Him as your Saviour and Lord – before it is too late.
