Down The Crown

Earlier this month, I was looking down on The Crown. This is a public house in Horwich and I was on the 125 service between Bolton and Preston. Aboard the upper deck, I was able to see this typically late Victorian or Edwardian pub from a higher angle than most of its regulars. Despite my being a traditional nonconformist and one raised to be suspicious of the demon drink, I have a fondness for historical pubs and regret their plight in these days of high taxation and soaring energy bills.

There are many who look down on that other Crown, too, the British monarchy. In a land of supposed freedom of expression, it is perfectly legal to despise our head of State and regret the institution that elevated him, as well as to engage in mockery of his age and appearance. Regrettable though this is, it is a price to pay for living in a free land (if, in fact, we do).

Furthermore, the ultimate Monarch of the Cosmos, best known to us as Jesus Christ, who wears many crowns, is frequently despised, mocked, ridiculed and ignored in this fallen, rebellious Republic of Man. Yet those who now look down on the Galilean Carpenter shall one day appear before Him when He comes to judge the living and the dead; they shall confess His honour and bow the knee to His dignity. Look down on Him while you may; those who now look up to Him, however, shall reign with Him, for He delights to share His glory and dignity with all who come to Him, believing and repentant.

Διὸ καὶ ὁ Θεὸς αὐτὸν ὑπερύψωσεν καὶ ἐχαρίσατο αὐτῷ τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα
ἵνα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων καὶ ἐπιγείων καὶ καταχθονίων
καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσηται ὅτι ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ εἰς δόξαν Θεοῦ Πατρός

-Phil 2:9-11