PC(USA)’s Hawkins calls people of faith to reaffirm God’s sovereignty in the wake of the national election
by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins (Photo by Rich Copley)
LOUISVILLE — Calling Christians yet again to move forward in hope in this post-election season, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins and colleagues from the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations led the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in worship on Wednesday.
In his words of welcome, Hawkins, the PC(USA)’s advocacy director, immediately established the tone — by turns provocative and contemplative — for the weekly online Chapel Service.
“As Christians, and Presbyterians,” began Hawkins, “our shared trust in God enables us to keep working for justice, equity, and the transformation of the world. Regardless of who you voted for, and the outcome of the most recent U.S. election, this is a space to heal, reflect and remember that we are each made in the image of God.”
Hawkins’s message, “Long Live the King!” — based on 1 Samuel 8:10-18 and Matthew 21:1-11 — was framed on either side by two soul-stirring hymns, Spencer LaJoye’s “Plowshare Prayer” and “How Great Thou Art,” sung respectively by the PMUN’s Bella Ramos and Leah Brooks. Jesse Lopedito provided guitar accompaniment.
In the Old Testament lesson, Hawkins explained that the Hebrew people appealed to the prophet Samuel to give them an earthly king in rejection of divine authority, while in the familiar Gospel passage, “we get a glimpse of what true kingship looks like, the peace-loving Son of God, who comes as the humble Prince of Peace.”
Speaking to the current national context, Hawkins continued, “We are fresh off of a presidential election that produced, for many, a result that was unexpected and traumatic. Many fear that the country has elected a fascist, a would-be dictator. But, in reality, America has elected for itself a king. But let us be clear, this is nothing new. America has always lived in a delusional state of mind about itself and its role in the world. … America has not only always wanted a king, but to be king of the world, the greatest nation on Earth.”
Hawkins reminded people of faith to be steadfast in saying “No! to hatred [and to] xenophobic, racist and homophobic Christian politicians” and to recommit themselves to their call “as mission co-workers, disaster responders, grant distributors, advocacy workers, and reparation demanders, for such a time as this.”
“It does not matter who is in the White House, or not in the White House, God is our King, our Creator, and our Judge,” said Hawkins. “Jesus is our Prince of Peace and only to him will we bend the knee.”
Following the closing charge from the prophet Micah to “do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God,” one worshiper using the chat function on Zoom responded by writing, “Long live King Jesus! We will not bow down!”
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