Elizabeth was not in line to be queen.
She wanted a simple life as an English wife and mother. Unexpectedly, her father became king, and she was heir to the throne. When she became queen, she was transformed and became a new person.
Today's article explains our transformation when Jesus saves us and we are born again.
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Today’s blog is the second entry in my series on “The Crown”. Last week I revealed THE HIDDEN GOSPEL WITHIN EPISODE ONE. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read this post yet, I’d recommend taking a look at it before diving into episode two!
The Crown, Episode Two – “Hyde Park Corner”
‘You must be born again.’ What does this command from Jesus* (4BC-30AD) have to do with “The Crown?” You will soon see that Elizabeth (1926-2022) leaves her old life behind her and moves on to the new. So it is with everyone who enters the Kingdom of God. What we see in this episode is a remarkable metaphor of new life in Christ Jesus. Check out my earlier blog DOES BORN AGAIN MEAN SAVED? and keep these thoughts in mind as you enjoy this engaging and life-changing episode!
An asterisk* following a name means that person has a short biography in SPIRITUAL LIVES.
Up in the air!
Episode 2 begins. As the plane flies, we see the princess and the duke on their way to Kenya, far from London’s culture. Standing in for her father, Elizabeth steps into the milieu of statesmen, diplomats and the complex world of commonwealth politics.
Back at the palace, the king feels like a new man and organizes a hunting party. But his tranquility is broken by an intrusion from a power-hungry minister, brilliantly rebuffed and sent walking by both George VI and Albert Windsor (1895-1952).
Turning to Africa, we see the young royals awed by the giant wildlife of Kenya where their courage is tested and their love for each other grows. Elizabeth writes “Dear Papa” yearning for his ok to return to Malta.
At this very hour, “Dear Papa” is singing a duet with his other daughter, igniting cheers from the entire household. Undressing for bed, the king sees Elizbeth and Philip (1921– 2021) boarding the plane, turns off the television, and goes to bed.
At 7:30 am, his faithful valet finds him cold, commands everything to cease, and tells the Queen Mother her son “has passed away.” Pandemonium breaks out, first in the household, then in the government. “Hyde Park Corner” is the code that communicates the tragic event. As the news is broadcast worldwide, contact with the royal couple has been lost, and the British liaison in Kenya scrambles to find the new queen. He finds her just as she is about to mail her “Dear Papa” letter.
No one can sleep in England, especially Prime Minister Churchill (1874–1965), who struggles mightily to address the nation. He labors through the day, while the queen prepares to go home. Surrounded by legions of Kenyans, she walks down the stairs, and a tall, stately African man kneels before her and kisses her feet.
A New Life Begins
Suddenly, all is changed. Yesterday’s thoughts and plans vanish. King George is no more; Queen Elizabeth has ascended to the crown. During the drive to the airport, scores of Kenyan chiefs, one wearing a magnificent crown, share her grief. As the plane takes off, beautiful Swahili singing underscores the poignancy of the moment.
The nation gathers in mourning. Prime Minister Churchill reads his eulogy, of a man loved by all his peoples, who feared God but no man, who led Britain through its darkest moments and now has rested from his labors. “Death came as a friend,” he tells the people after a night of family time with his wife and younger daughter.
The PM turns to the illustrious reigns of England’s queens from Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603) to Victoria (1819 - 1901), in whose era he was born. He asks the nation to join in once more in the old familiar anthem and blessing: “God Save the Queen.”
On the plane, distress and uncertainty prevail. When they land, a black dress is brought to her along with a letter from Queen Mary ( 1867 – 1953), her grandmother. She writes that her beloved granddaughter must say “goodbye” to Elizabeth Windsor and step into the role of “Elizabeth Regina.” The old lady has seen the fall of three monarchies because personal individuality corrupted the rulers and led them to desert the dignity and duty of the crown. She warns that Elizabeth will live her whole life in the conflict between the personal and official, between preference and duty. Her verdict: “Duty must always prevail. The Crown must always win.” HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=FNBJB5IMPLY&FBCLID=IWAR1NJ_NU0DC5ZCME1-SSANKKA0OBVQROCMUPWAZSOS7YZ_5IYF2KDH-NU3W
As Elizabeth reads this letter and changes into mourning clothes, the monarch's personal secretary arrives and begins to arrange deplaning. The cars of government leaders surround the plane, and crowds of dignitaries await. When Philip prepares to lead his wife off the plane, the secretary prevents him with words he will regularly hear: “No, sir, the Crown takes precedence.” The couple begins to learn protocol.
The Prime Minister bows and kisses her hand before she enters the motorcade to Buckingham Palace. There, all is changed. The faces and people are familiar, but she has become the queen. Everyone bows, men from the waist, women bend the knee. Her family members halt their gestures of familiarity and defer to Her Majesty. Her mother and sister curtsy and step back to let her take precedence. As the new status hits them., they slowly begin to understand. The final seal of authority comes as her grandmother, Queen Mary, dressed in black to mourn the death of her son, the king, comes into her presence. All eyes are on the majestic old lady in black. She bows deeply to her knees: God save the Queen. Elizabeth’s face shows an awed realization that Elizabeth Windsor has become The Queen.
What does this have to do with me?
What’s next? The issues she deals with are those we will have to deal with, too. What happens when God intervenes in our lives? What do we do when our plans are aborted? How do we handle death, especially the death of loved ones? How does the Gospel sustain us? Where is our faith? To whom do we look for guidance? How do we seek God’s will? It’s all in the One Book, the Bible, the Truth that changes lives but never changes! I would love to hear your comments and questions and will be happy to share with you what the Lord has done for me. Just use the comment section to send me an email or sign up for our newsletter. God bless you today!
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