The King

Created using ChatGPT

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

This is the last Sunday of the liturgical year and we will celebrate Christ the King or the Reign of Christ. This commemoration is always immediately followed by the season of Advent, when we prepare both for the remembrance of the birth of Jesus and for his coming again. The texts this week remind us of exactly what kind of king Jesus is, and nowhere is this clearer than in his interaction with the two criminals who were crucified on either side of him. Since neither man is named, we can easily place ourselves on one of those crosses. We are guilty. Our punishment is just. But the One who hangs beside us is innocent. What do we say to him?

Which criminal will we be?

Will we lash out with the crowd, mocking him for not being or doing what we expect? Or will we take a chance on faith and plead for mercy we don't deserve? That Jesus would, or could, even entertain this conversation is unimaginable. He had to be in agony - not just physical pain, but emotional and spiritual pain. In this moment, those hours, when good and right seemed defeated, and the ugliness of the world he was dying to save was on full display, Jesus still took the time and and used his energy to extend grace - first to those who didn't even know to ask for it and then to the one who did. This is Christ the King. He reigns with power - not power conferred by a golden crown but, the selfless power of a suffering servant, with thorns for a crown. Power to forgive, power to love the unlovable, power to lift others even with his dying breath. He's not the king they wanted or expected. He may not be the king we want or expect. He is the king we all need.

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79)

11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

(Colossians 1:11-14)