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King Oyo; The king who worshipped another king
The association with the divine in relationship to the King evokes the Supernatural. If King Oyo were to have been a proud and arrogant character, it would have been difficult for him to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King.
Rt Rev. Dr Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa. (File)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa (PhD)
It is rare in historical and modern records to come across a king who can publicly acknowledge the power, glory and fame of another King. Kings, by their very nature and attributes, are supposed to be invincible, immune to sickness or even death, as suggested by the description of their passing on being codenamed “okutuuza” for a ceremonial, dignified send-off instead of using the term “okufa” for death.
King Oyo was referred to as 'Rukirabasaija’, literally translated as, ‘the one who is above all men, thus extraordinary.’ King Oyo's other name, "Kabamba Iguru’ is translated as ‘one who stretches to heaven? The association with the divine in relationship to the King evokes the Supernatural. If King Oyo were to have been a proud and arrogant character, it would have been difficult for him to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King.
In a viral social Media post that featured an interview he held, he categorically acknowledged Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. He emphasised that he was not ashamed to share his faith publicly with those in the circle of believers or even those outside the circle of believers. He went on to describe the foundation of his faith as having been the seed that was planted by the Queen Mother at a very early stage when he was orphaned. He says from then on he never looked back to Jesus Christ as the fountain of his life.
Could this be the first royal in the world over to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour? Perhaps. Could this have been lip service? It seems not. According to Romans 10:9, 'If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved?
In a viral social Media post that featured an interview he held, he categorically acknowledged Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. He emphasised that he was not ashamed to share his faith publicly with those in the circle of believers or even those outside the circle of believers. He went on to describe the foundation of his faith as having been the seed that was planted by the Queen Mother at a very early stage when he was orphaned. He says from then on he never looked back to Jesus Christ as the fountain of his life.
Could this be the first royal in the world over to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour? Perhaps. Could this have been lip service? It seems not. According to Romans 10:9, 'If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved?
King Oyo seemed to fulfil this important framework for kingdom affirmation when giving prominence to the name of Jesus Christ. Some of us who had the rare chance to interact with King Oyo saw what could be considered to be the sign of his acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord and King.
On Saturday, August 24, 2019, at St James Cathedral, Ruharo, while attending my silver Jubilee wedding anniversary, my wife Dr Alice Mwesigwa reminded me how, to the consternation of many, King Oyo knelt at the altar during thanksgiving prayers. Now, how many of us in modern times, including religious leaders, are enthusiastic to kneel while praying?
King Oyo was not only impactful on the local scene through being a United Nations goodwill ambassador for Causes like the campaign against HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, immunisation, etc., but he will turn out to be the King in history who willfully acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and King: the King of Kings. He will go down in history as an exemplar of being humble and a servant King, who, despite the power, glory and fame that surrounded his station in life, didn’t fail to acknowledge his human limitations and the temporary nature of his earthly reign.
The writer is Bishop of Ankole Diocese and Dean of Province of Church of Uganda Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University
On Saturday, August 24, 2019, at St James Cathedral, Ruharo, while attending my silver Jubilee wedding anniversary, my wife Dr Alice Mwesigwa reminded me how, to the consternation of many, King Oyo knelt at the altar during thanksgiving prayers. Now, how many of us in modern times, including religious leaders, are enthusiastic to kneel while praying?
King Oyo was not only impactful on the local scene through being a United Nations goodwill ambassador for Causes like the campaign against HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, immunisation, etc., but he will turn out to be the King in history who willfully acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and King: the King of Kings. He will go down in history as an exemplar of being humble and a servant King, who, despite the power, glory and fame that surrounded his station in life, didn’t fail to acknowledge his human limitations and the temporary nature of his earthly reign.
The writer is Bishop of Ankole Diocese and Dean of Province of Church of Uganda Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University