“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.”
– King Charles III
We’ve all heard the news and seen the flags at half-mast. Today marks D-Day+4; the queen’s body is being prepared to be transported in a procession from Buckingham palace to Westminster Hall, where the body will lay at rest for three days. The Westminster Hall will be open 23 hours a day, where civilians can pay their tributes and condolences to HM the Queen. On D-Day+9, The queen will have her funeral, and the whole nation will pause to have 2 minutes of silence for HM Queen Elizabeth II. Her body will then be transported again in procession to Windsor Castle, where her body will be buried at her final resting place.
The National Anthem will be changed to “God save the King” as King Charles is coronated. Currencies will change and have the profile of the new King. And all members of parliament must pledge allegiance to King Charles. Operation London Bridge has been brought to such detail in commemorating the queen’s passing.
But I now want to bring your attention to a more significant death; a victorious death on a dark day.
There were no processions. There were no flowers or deep condolences. There was only a display of humility, an exhibit of blood and suffering. Crowds only gave their deepest hatred and pride for Him to carry on His back. A walk of shame in Golgotha, to the hills of calvary. Bloodshed and suffering, in obedience to God, as our one and only King of Kings was crucified on a cross.
There was no anthem.
Only Love.
Every person on this earth will pass. The monarchs, people of power, and civilians. Nothing can save you. No amount of money can prevent death. No power will last forever. There is only one sacrifice that saves us all.
Because nothing can separate us from the love of God.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What differentiates the deaths of Her Majesty the Queen and the lowly servant Jesus Christ?
Great sacrificial love. Love for His people, in obedience to God. Although the queen’s death is a great mark of darkness, we can never forget the sacrifice that God made for His people.
There was a rainbow on Friday the 9th of September at Buckenham Palace. Coincidentally, this was the day after her death. Rainbows are a sign of God’s Covenant with His people. It may or may not be a coincidence, but it is just another reminder of His love.
My condolences,
Jeremy Sangtoki