Children of God
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:29 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I didn’t expect still to be reflecting on the state funeral of Her Majesty the Queen, but there are many things from that day which will stick in my mind, and I’m sure yours as well, for many years to come.
One little thing, just a few words, that struck me on the day and has remained with me since is the way the Queen was referred to as “our sister.” I’ve gone through the service, both the state funeral at Westminster Abbey and the committal at St George’s Chapel, and I counted four such references, with two further references in the prayers to “thy daughter Elizabeth.”
So, at the funeral, she was called “this our sister” in the opening bidding and “our sister here departed” in the closing commendation. And at the committal, she was called “this our sister Elizabeth” in the bidding and “our sister” in the prayers.
It was a beautiful thing. Imagine meeting her in heaven, where you won’t be addressing her as “Your Majesty”, but as “sister,” and she will respond by addressing you as “sister” or “brother.” It’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. Because in that day, there will be only one person on the throne, only one monarch, and it won’t be Queen Elizabeth (or any other queen or king for that matter), but King Jesus.
And yet we will be not only her sisters and brothers, but sisters and brothers of this King, Jesus. That’s what Paul says in Romans 8:29: that God’s Son will be “the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” As firstborn, he is the heir, and as his brothers and sisters we get to inherit along with him and through him.
It also makes us realise that, for all the styles and titles of the Queen, including “the late Most High, Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, Elizabeth the Second” (which were poignantly handed on to King Charles before the committal was over, and which she had to lay down), the one she can take with her into eternity is “child of God.” But that is the only style or title that really matters, and exactly the same privilege is ours if we too belong to Christ: to be children of God and his sister or brother.
Lord, we thank you that along with our sister Elizabeth we are brothers and sisters of your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords; we are your children with the privilege of calling you ‘Father.’ Amen.
Yours warmly, in Christ,
Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)