Many years ago a lovely woman named Hazel from Sri Lanka stayed in our home for several weeks during a large, international church conference. 

During the opening worship service the king of Norway made an appearance, and when he arrived the whole congregation of 2,000 people rose and saluted him, as is our custom. King Olav was a rather modest man and wore his usual, plain grey suit.

Arriving home that night, Hazel was very quiet. When my mother mentioned how nice it had been to have the king at worship, Hazel answered, ‘Yes, everything was very fine; but I had expected him to wear his crown.’

 

When Jesus approached Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he wore no crown, even though the people saluted him: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’

The King of kings, Jesus, does not need a crown to be recognised. When he lived in our world, he walked with, talked with, and touched ordinary people. He was one of them. Jesus is still close to us, offering loving companionship to anyone who seeks him, teaching us to be humble servants.

 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for being close to us. We are grateful that you came not as a conquering king but as a humble servant. Amen