One of the most solemn feasts of the Christian religion is the feast of Christ the King.

On the occasion of this feast, Christians are reminded that kingship or leadership is about shepherding. The true king, the genuine leader who is acceptable in the sight of God, must be a shepherd who loves his sheep and who feeds and nurtures his sheep, one who sacrifices his own pleasures and comforts for the sake of his sheep. The true king, the genuine leader of Gods people is one who is sometimes challenged to sacrifice his very life for the security, health, comfort, and peace of his people. We are reminded on the feast of Christ the king that leadership is about care, nurture, concern and passion for justice, peace and ultimate fulfillment among those who are led. The kingship of Christ is one that is attained through suffering. The glory of Christ is one that comes after enormous sacrifice. The dominion of Christ came after he denied himself of his rightful place as Son of God. His Royal Crown came after he went through humiliation and the agony of the cross. Jesus presents us a radically different and perhaps contradictory model of leadership than we are familiar with in the world, and particularly in our country Nigeria, plagued as we have been by feudal lords, neo-colonialists, manipulators and looters of the national treasury. Jesus is the leader who is meek and humble of heart, whose York is easy and burden is light (Matthew 11: 29-30). He is a leader who takes pity on his suffering people, a leader whose compassion for the poor, weak and the distressed moved him to perform miracles for healing and for feeding the people. He did not come to be served, but to serve. He told his disciples that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, their great men make their authority felt. He warned that this should happen among them. Instead he said, anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave (Mt. 20: 24-27). Christ the king whose leadership means service. He taught his disciples a lesson in leadership by service that will continue to challenge all leaders in the world. He stooped down to wash the feet of his disciples. How many of our leaders today have this mentality? How many of them today still remember the purpose of governance or leadership? How many of them today still think of the good and fight for the betterment of the people in which they govern? Instead they think of
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how they would enrich they pockets. They do not have the concept service in their dictionary of governance or leadership. But Christ came to serve not to be served. Christs model of leadership is one of compassion and solidarity with the poor, not one that alienates and further impoverishes the poor. Christs kingship is one that frees the oppressed, it is not one that oppresses, intimidates and terrorises the weak and the lowly. Christ gave rooms or avenues to the oppressed. He was united with the poor. He ate, worked, drank, and lived with the poor. Christs leadership is one of purposeful leadership, a leadership with vision, with the fear of the Lord, and with commitment to the well-being of the people. On the contrary, our leaders no longer have the fear of God. They indulge in acts that do not befit the humanness of human. The feast of Christ the Universal king challenges the current leadership in many of our countries especially Nigeria, often characterised by exploitation, manipulation and widespread abuse of the people. The kingship of Christ challenges the apathy and acquiescence of Christians in a situation where the rulers have often appropriated the resources of the land for selfish use, while the multitudes of their people languish in destitute. Christians cannot afford to be onlookers in the unfolding of events in their society. By divine mandate, Christians are to teach the world the way of life and truth (Mt 28:20). By Gods imperatives they are the salt of the world and the light of the world Christians have the immense responsibility in the project of transforming their country from a less human to a more human society. They must employ every legitimate and peaceful means available to change the course of events in their country, they must not only pray for Gods kingdom to come, but also work hard towards its emergence. But how we achieve this mission remains the question. I think to achieve this mission; we must begin from the grassroots. People should be made to understand their rights and duties in a country like Nigeria, where her citizens do not know their rights and duties for their beloved country. Even at that, who shall we blame? Where shall we run to? To whom shall we go? Should we run back to our leaders who do not know what to do? People who cannot decipher their right from their left? People who do not have the interest of their citizens at heart? People who when the announcement of a particular area of their country is made would be happy because they do not want to spread the tentacles of good governance and leadership spiced with dividends to the people? In fact, it is a sorry story.
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The story is told of a man who travelled to London to attend an interview for an important post in the security services. When he arrived at the appointed place he found five other applicants in the waiting room, all discussing their prospects. There was no secretary on duty. A sign on the wall stated that applicants were to knock and enter the interview room at fifteen minute intervals, beginning at eleven oclock. They were to leave the interview room by another door, so that the nature of the questioning could be kept secret. The applicants discussed the strange arrangement; they reflected on what questions might be asked; they wondered what qualities would be needed for the post. At eleven oclock one of them, who said he had been the first to arrive, went to the door of the interview room, knocked and entered. The remaining five men continued to discuss various matters among themselves. So, the time passed. At a quarter past twelve the last man to arrive rose from his chair; walked over to the door of the interview room, knocked and entered. When he stepped into the room he was confused by what he saw. Behind the large oak table that dominated the room sat his interviewers: they were the same five men who had been in the waiting room. The interview was already over. So, Jesus unfailing witness to the truth marks his true kingship. As his subjects, we will be judged on how we witness to the truth, his love, his way. For a place in his kingdom we will be questioned on our attitudes and behaviours. We are going to be judged reference made to our lives. Leaders will judge likewise the citizens. We dont have to wait for the last judgment to find out the questions we will be asked. When it comes to place in the kingdom, the interviews are already taking place. Here and now. So do what you can do to earn the heavenly kingdom. When our time comes for judgment, we should be surprised at the familiar faces like the story of the traveler to London. Let us turn a good live. This is the best way to celebrate Christ as the Universal King.