As we come to Christ the King Sunday, it is a time to reflect on Jesus' kingship. It might seem strange but we are brought to the scene of the crucifixion in today's Gospel reading! It is from Luke 23. Here is an excerpt:
"And the people stood by watching; but the leaders scoffed at him saying, He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one! The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! There was also an inscription over him, "This is the king of the Jews." Luke 23:35 - 38
Jesus had been referred to as a king at other points in his ministry, but here again it surfaces. What we would notice here is that Jesus is not just a king with this title, but he is one who lives out his kingship even from the cross that might have confounded his captors. For instance, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father for forgiveness for his captors. There are two thieves crucified alongside him and Jesus says to the one thief who asked to be remembered: "Truly I tell you , today you will be with me in Paradise." Who else could say this with authority except Jesus the Son of God!
While we might see him as our king, I believe we also need to dig deeper into the implications of living under his kingship. Do we see him merely as one who has given us eternal life or do we see him as one who would influence the decisions we make each day? This reading would also make us reflect on the role of suffering in his kingship.
If you want to read the entire lesson, it is Luke 23:33 - 43. May God's blessing be upon your preparation for this Sunday's worship!
Pastor Marty
"And the people stood by watching; but the leaders scoffed at him saying, He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one! The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! There was also an inscription over him, "This is the king of the Jews." Luke 23:35 - 38
Jesus had been referred to as a king at other points in his ministry, but here again it surfaces. What we would notice here is that Jesus is not just a king with this title, but he is one who lives out his kingship even from the cross that might have confounded his captors. For instance, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father for forgiveness for his captors. There are two thieves crucified alongside him and Jesus says to the one thief who asked to be remembered: "Truly I tell you , today you will be with me in Paradise." Who else could say this with authority except Jesus the Son of God!
While we might see him as our king, I believe we also need to dig deeper into the implications of living under his kingship. Do we see him merely as one who has given us eternal life or do we see him as one who would influence the decisions we make each day? This reading would also make us reflect on the role of suffering in his kingship.
If you want to read the entire lesson, it is Luke 23:33 - 43. May God's blessing be upon your preparation for this Sunday's worship!
Pastor Marty
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