Early Monday morning, my wife and I caught a little bit of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was laid to rest after serving as Britain’s Queen for 70 years. Her funeral may have been the most watched event in TV history, with viewers estimated to be in the billions.
To the glory of God, Archbishop Justin Welby walked the tightrope between honoring Queen Elizabeth’s life and presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to that massive audience. The following is an excerpt from his funeral address:
In 1953, the Queen began her Coronation with silent prayer, just there at the High Altar. Her allegiance to God was given before any person gave allegiance to her. Her service to so many people in this nation, the Commonwealth and the world, had its foundation in her following Christ – God himself – who said that he “came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Her Late Majesty’s broadcast during Covid lockdown ended with: “We will meet again,” words of hope from a song of Vera Lynn. Christian hope means certain expectation of something not yet seen. Christ rose from the dead and offers life to all, abundant life now and life with God in eternity.
As the Christmas carol says “where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.” We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: “We will meet again.”
According to this testimony of faith in Christ, indeed, God saved the Queen.