Why Are We So Fascinated with Royalty?

Photo by King’s Church International on Unsplash.

It has bemused me for the longest time how we, as Americans, are enamored with royalty. In particular, we are fascinated with British royalty. Weeks ago, ten million Americans tuned in for the coronation of King Charles. Our news feed keeps us up to date on the lives of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Before that, we had our fascination with Princess Diana, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne …

Does anyone remember a time when we had an issue with British royalty … King George … the whole Revolutionary War? Even after the second conflict, the War of 1812, our two countries maintained an uneasy peace for decades.

To all my British readers, I like youse guys. My wife and I are making plans to visit your wonderful state … er, country. You gave us Charles Spurgeon and the Beatles. I just don’t get our American fascination with royalty—any royalty.

I’m currently reading a book called 1215 and All That: Magna Carta and King John. In this book, the author lays out the events that led up to the creation of the Magna Carta that King John was forced to signed. (For those who need brushing up on their world history, the Magna Carta was a document asserting the king was not above the law. It is considered foundational to our own constitution. It’s kind of a big deal.) What led to this document was the issue of the kings’ behavior. They were ruthless, highly immoral, and pretty much into it for themselves.

Consider Fulk III who died in 1040 A.D. When he discovered his wife had committed adultery, he had her burned at the stake in her wedding dress, even though he was well-known for his own sexual degradations. But he was not alone. His kinfolks continued the royal traditions of cruelty, greed, and violence.

Let me stop picking on the British. Look at any country whose government is built on the presence of a king, czar, or supreme ruler. For every benevolent or good king, history includes others who were not shining examples.

The nation of Israel in the Old Testament certainly gave us some great examples of kings—David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah—but most of the other kings did not follow God or lead the people to follow God. In fact, when Israel split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, not a single king in the Northern Kingdom followed God or did what was right.

I’d like to make a motion that we stop idolizing royalty and putting our faith in world leaders—and I’m including American presidents in that. They all fall short—even the good ones.

There’s only one king worth following because there is only one king who is perfect, all-powerful, and overflowing with love and grace toward His people: Jesus Christ. This king was announced 1000 years before He came to earth (2 Sam. 7). When Jesus began His earthly kingdom, He announced His kingdom.

“Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:14-15).

He secured a place for us in His kingdom through His death and resurrection. All who repent and look to Him as King Jesus have a place in that kingdom. As King, He reigns in the hearts of His followers, but a day is coming when He will return and set up His eternal kingdom.

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

“Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (21:3-4).

That’s a King I will gladly follow.

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This post supports the study “God’s Promise of a King” in Bible Studies for Life and YOU.