In recent weeks the British royal family has been in the news related to one-time Prince Andrew (now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) and his close relationship to Jeffrey Epstein. While this scandal has a distinctly modern twist, the idea of a royal scandal is nothing new. In fact, when another one hits the wires, I don’t even blink anymore. In 1887, Lord Acton wrote to an English bishop: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” His profound observation has been proven true, again and again.
When mortals ascend to a position of power over others, more often than not, something gets twisted in them.
A Long History of Scandal
Think of all the brutal dictators of the past 126 years. Most of them probably didn’t start out that way. But as they gained power, and people bowed and gave them whatever they wanted, they learned that they could do pretty much anything and get away with it.
Think of the rulers who lived long before our time. Louis XIV, and his wild parties at Versailles. And before him, the Tudor dynasty in Renaissance England--Henry VIII creating his own church, just so he could get a divorce, executing anyone he didn’t like. The tragic Crusades of the 11th-13th centuries with European rulers invoking the name of Jesus to justify the deaths of millions of people. Empress Wei, a ruthless and decadent Chinese powerhouse of the 700s. We could go on and on, back through time. Powerful people--kings and queens, princes and popes--inflicting their unchecked greed, lust, pride, and violence on the poor and vulnerable they were commissioned to serve. It’s a true shame, and it continues today.
Even the Old Testament king, David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart,” was plagued by royal scandal. He married the daughter of King Saul, and when Saul decided to take her away from David and give her to someone else, David went out and found himself several other wives. Later, he abused his power again: he stole a woman, impregnated her, and had her husband killed. Then, David’s son raped his own sister. Another son had him killed for it. Years later, that son orchestrated a plot to overthrow his father, David. While David was in exile, his son went into the palace and had his way with David’s harem. And on and on it goes. Royal scandals, enough to make you blush, again and again, world without end.
A Different Kind of Royal Scandal
Perhaps the greatest royal scandal of all time is tied to the King of Kings, Jesus of Nazareth. You didn’t expect me to say that, did you? But, it’s true.
Jesus, Messiah, holy Son of God was a friend of sinners. He Himself was no sinner, but He spent time with them. Regular, run-of-the-mill sinners and really raunchy, notorious sinners. He ate dinner with them, healed them, loved them and, get this, He forgave them, too. The audacity! “I have come to seek and save the lost,” you could hear Him say. “The healthy don’t need a doctor, only the sick.”
Yes, the most infamous scandal of all is the scandal of grace.
That Jesus would make Himself nothing, become a slave to death on a cross, all to redeem His fallen creation. It’s outrageous! Hard to believe. Tough to wrestle with. To think that anyone who comes to Jesus in faith can be set free from their baggage--it’s more than we could’ve hoped for.
In this sacred season of Lent, may we each reflect on the world’s most audacious royal scandal and give thanks to the One who endured it for us.
Abby Shaffer is a 2005 graduate of Grove City College and was licensed into set-apart ministry in 2006. She received her ordination in 2017. After serving in district ministry for ten years, God called her to serve her home congregation as a pastor, in 2019. She lives in Western PA with her husband, Dan, and their rabbit, Gary. She marvels daily at God's grace!
