Festival of Jesus Christ as Chief Elder
Jesus Reigns
We Moravians delight in singing these hymns of our faith: “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun,” “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” These beautiful words affirm that we stand confident and hold fast in believing that Our Lord Jesus is indeed the Chief Elder of our denomination. Today our thoughts turn to the church leaders who in 1741 voted by lot to confirm Jesus Christ as Chief Elder and the Great Shepherd of our worldwide Moravian Church.
In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesies the birth of a child who will become our King, who will reign and bring peace, justice, and righteousness. In the Gospel of John, we read Jesus’ words: “I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved”; “I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”; and “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:9, 11, 14 NIV). What comfort we find in these words!
In this world of turmoil and constant disagreements, we can turn to Jesus, our constant and sustaining leader. We feel his presence in our worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, our times spent in nature, and our moments of meditation. We feel his leading as we volunteer for missions, teach Sunday school, donate food and resources for the hungry and underprivileged, provide activities for group home residents, visit the sick and lonely, and feed bereaved families.
As we continue our Christian journey. we fall back on words of St. Patrick:
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me, . . .
Christ to comfort and restore me.”
(Moravian Book of Worship, p. 237)
Kitsy Mathis, Konnoak Hills Moravian Church
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
