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On April 30th in the Netherlands, a king was crowned for the first time in 123 years. The last one was Willem III, who was replaced by Queen Emma in 1890, Wilhelmina in 1898, Juliana in 1948, and Beatrix in 1980. After 33 years, she abdicated, and her oldest son, Willem Alexander took over and became the king.
We were visiting the Netherlands when all this took place on April 30th. There were great festivities; there were flags out everywhere; there were games for children, parades, concerts, and sailing events. The Queen officially abdicated, and the new King was sworn in. All the activities were shown on television all day long.
Many dignitaries were invited. Most, if not all of the kings and queens in waiting of other European kingdoms were there, as well as representatives of other countries from around the world, including the Governor-General of Canada. It was a festive day indeed.
Then on May 2nd, there was an article in the paper about the succession to the throne as it is now. Queen Beatrix's sister, Princess Margriet, who was born in Canada during the Second World War, was, at one time, high on that royal list, but now, she was replaced by the present king's three daughters as well as his brothers and their children. Princess Margriet is eighth in line to the throne, and her grandchildren have no royal status at all now.
In contrast, I love the story in Acts 10 where, in a vision, Peter was shown the equality of all people, while he was resting on the flat roof of the house of Simon the tanner in Joppa. Cornelius, a Roman officer, had had an angelic visitation, in which he was told to summon Peter. When Peter arrived, he gave a wonderful introductory speech:
Acts 10:28a,34-36 – You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (NIV)
That made me think of the Royal Family that we belong to, as members of the kingdom of God. There is no loss of succession to the royal throne of King Jesus by any of us. That is the wonderful truth of the good news of the Bible. In God's eyes, we are all equal, and we do not lose our place.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You that through faith, we can all be part of Your Royal Family. Amen.
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Wonderful reminder Joel.
Thanks for reminding us that everybody is equal before God.
(Cameroon)
Thank you so much for the history lesson and then the promise that we are all equal in God’s eyes.
Joel, Thanks for the reminder that we belong to God’s royal family through Jesus Christ. Blessings.
Joel, thank you so much for sharing with us today. This was awesome and I enjoyed it very much. Please share again real soon.
Thanks Joel for your well-made point that being in the Family of God trumps all other earthly royalty. Our crowns are assured us and we shall never know either abdication or dismissal. And our Eternal Father has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Heb. 13:5. We shall be in a Kingdom that knows no end….and all have crowns!
Blessings.
Hello Joel:
I am very happy to read your meditation today. It is very interesting particularly as I have a Dutch son-in-law so our family followed the festivities you refer to. I loved reading your straight forward reminder that we never lose our special place with King Jesus. I needed to hear that today.
God bless.
Excellent!
Amen to a wonderful truth Joel. Blessings.
Thank you so much for the history lesson and then the promise that we are all equal in God’s eyes.
Well done! You can always find a “real life story” and work it into a sermon or in this case a devotional. You are so amazing.
Thank you, Joel, a great reflection! I did see some of the festivities on TV here, but this gives the historical context much better, and the Canadian connection as well.
Good Morning Joel:
Yes you are correct – with our Jehovah. The ONLY true God all persons are equals. Would it not be wonderful if this were true here on earth in our time. Unfortuntely “so-called ‘humanity’ gets in the way!
Blessings to you and all those you love.
Wonderful words. Painted beautiful pictures in my mind…upon the roof…the roman speaking…
The words & images touched my heart & soul.
But I should not be surprised. They are FATHERS words spoken through you, HIS chosen vessel.
Thank you for with out YOU I would not have experienced the message…and thanks for all who work to provide this site… For the many readers and my self would certainly be at a loss.
You help many find salvation and many people be able to retain it.
My prayer for you:
May FATHER rain down HIS blessings of health, happiness & prosperity all the days of your life until called home by FATHER
AMEN & AMEN,
(Texas)
That was great! Thank you.
You have good insights.
Totally aside from your point, I have to say how impressed I was with the Dutch royal family. I didn’t see a lot, but what I did see and read made me think they are just really nice people who don’t have a lot of
pretensions and who genuinely like each other. I saw either a picture or a video of Beatrix giving Willem a hug and a kiss when he “took over” and it was just so heart-warming.
Dear Mr. Jongkind,
Thank you very much for your devotional about the coronation of koning Willem Alexander! A dear friend forwarded it to me, and I was so happy to read it!
You see, I was also in Holland on April 30. It was wonderful that I could be there for this historic occasion. As you said, the decorations, the tv programs, the abdication and coronation, the dignitaries, the singing of the Wilhelmus in church..it was truly special.
What made your devotional even more special to me was the scripture passage quoted from Acts 10! This Bible passage, Acts 10: 34 and 35 made me realize that it was not for me to decide whether was a “good enough” Christian, but that in every nation he that feareth him is acceptable with him.
Although I love Holland very much, I believe the Lord has used our settling in Canada to open my eyes to the true gospel.
Thank you again, and may the Lord richly bless you!