This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday as well as Thanksgiving Sunday. There are places in the world that do not celebrate Thanksgiving and some that do not follow the lectionary and do not even observe Christ the King Sunday. I think that it is appropriate to combine the two—be thankful that Christ is our King.
Holy Scripture records the last words of King David in 2 Samuel 23:1-7. We can read the text through the setting of an old dying king, but we can also read it through a Christological lens (while some scholars frown on this, I don’t care. I frown on their use of Scripture to promote their political agendas). There are many profound prophetic symbols discovered in this passage of Scripture if one is wise enough to look for Christ.
There is mentioned the man exalted, anointed, and the hero of songs in the first verse. Jesus was exalted on the cross, anointed with the Holy Spirit (not just oil), and is today the hero of our praise in songs. While the Spirit of God spoke through David, It was upon Jesus. We know that both David and Jesus had plenty of unrighteous enemies, yet both listened to Father God Almighty, the Rock of Ages, for encouragement to drown out any fear of men.
The fourth verse speaks of a king to come who is the light of the morning and brings grass from the earth. We Christians recognize Jesus Christ as the Light of the World and the Fountain of Life that brings life and light to all who would believe in Him. The fifth verse speaks of an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part with means no legal loopholes—this is a promise from God concerning David’s and our salvation. Jesus’ Hebrew name, Yeshua, literally means the LORD’s Salvation. He sealed the New Covenant with His own blood.
The concluding verses of passage focus on evil men being cast aside like thorns and the symbolism not only of the dice being cast, but also of the crown of thorns being forced upon the head of Christ. Sin and evil intent becomes real shame and mockery. A tool of iron or the shaft of a spear is mentioned due to the inability to touch the thorns. There again the representation of sin being so harmful to humans there is pain in handling it. Christ not only handles the sin, he withstands the tool of iron pressing the crown of thorns upon His head, and died for our sins before the spear was cast into His side. While the winnow fork has not yet been picked up by Christ to end the time of Grace and begin the time of Judgment, He has robbed Satan of power over death and sin. Sin and death have no power over Christ and because of His work on the cross—they are burned up and it lie at the foot of the cross. This is our salvation found in the dying words of David and at Calvary. So be thankful for Christ our King reigns!