In these last few weeks of the liturgical year, we journey through Luke’s Gospel and seek the face of Jesus.
This is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year and we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday. What does it mean to speak of the Christ who reigns, or Christ the king? I believe that Jesus redefines what it means to be king. The one who reigns over us is the one who was tried as a criminal, who was punished by oppressive authorities and crucified – a truly horrific form of execution. This is the one to whom we pledge our faith and devotion. This is who we follow, who we worship. As we worship in praise and in singing, let us also worship by living lives that have been changed by God’s love.
Luke 23:33-43 (NRSVue)
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 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!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Consider these questions:
- Whom does Jesus address in verse 34? What does this address reveal about Jesus? What does it reveal about God?
- What might Jesus’ response (verses 34, 43) say about the nature of God’s kingdom/reign?
- What might the criminals’ responses reveal about how we can respond to Jesus?
- What difference does it make to believe that Jesus is the Messiah? Why is it important that your church invite others to experience Jesus as the Lord, Savior, Deliverer, and the One who Reigns over all of heaven and earth?
- Why is it still shocking that the one we call King, Messiah, Christ, is also the one who died for the world?