Image from agnusday.org
Hear the podcast here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Christ-the-King-Sunday-e1qnipg
Watch here: https://www.tiktok.com/@eradiovalverde/video/7165723785545452842?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 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 23:22-43 New International Version Bible)
I know our thoughts and stomachs are set on what's coming in a few days. Something of a national holiday where we can gather to eat a lot and should give thanks to God. HINT: It's Thanksgiving Day, coming on the 24th, but we turn our hearts and minds to the Sunday before the holiday which is Christ the King Sunday. On that day, the Christian Church celebrates that Jesus is our King. Wait. We have to talk about murder? Isn't that more a spring thing, like Easter? I can't wait to see the turkey and its dressings, and here you want us to talk about Jesus being killed? And why we do want/need a king? In our lifetime, we have seen the death of England's Queen and the ascension to the throne of her son, Charles, who will be crowned king in some days. The big question in the United Kingdom is whether they need to continue the monarchy or not. It is a costly proposition for the government and not all subjects are fans; yet, those who love custom and tradition love the idea of a king. Yet, it is at the cross that we see why Jesus is, indeed, king. Jesus may not fit the perceived ideas of who and what a king is, but He is one who willingly gave His life to save ours. What king would do that?
The drama unfolds in this way. Jesus has been led to the place called the Skull, where the Romans crucified their criminals. Crucifixion was their preferred method of execution because it was a proven deterrent; The Skull provided a good view of those who were to die and those passing by could see what happened to those who chose to break the law. And Jesus was in a three-for-one special; two criminals, whom we believed, deserved to die, were to die, one at His right, the other at His left. All Jesus could say to those listening and carrying out the execution, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." The soldiers took Jesus' clothing and played a game of chance called lots, to see who who win what. Among the spectators were common people, and rulers, who wanted to see what would happen to this famous radical. And the cheers and jeers came; "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is God's Messiah, the Chosen One." Then this makes the soldiers joined in as well, offering Him wine vinegar and mocking Him, adding, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." Pilate added his touch, a sign that read, "This is the king of the Jews." And the insults get worse when your neighbors join in, as the criminal being crucified next to you, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" Ouch! Mental and emotional pain upon the excruciating physical pain. And then the voice of your other neighbor, "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then the gesture that is remembered through the ages,"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Boom. Wouldn't that make a great hymn? Then the words of the King: Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." Imagine being that criminal who heard those words from the King. The first criminal knew Jesus to supposedly be the Messiah, this second one, for his faith at that crucial moment, got the personal invitation from the King to come into the kingdom.
The moments at the Cross cement the belief of all believers that Jesus is indeed the King. In this King we have life, but not only for this world, but in the world to come. In Jesus we have the fullness of life promised to those who repent of their sins and surrender their lives to Him. In Him we have the One who can make all things new, including our lives. He can take us out of the messes we have made of our lives and set all things right. He can take our wounds, bind them and heal them. And we then have the joy of sharing that joy with those who need to hear this message, too.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we praise and thank You for King Jesus. Let us live our lives that proclaim that faith to others. Glorify Yourself in us and make us new. Whatever we have encountered, whatever challenge is ours now, help us make it through it; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Show yourself in all ways that identify you as a subject of King Jesus' Kingdom!
Receive my blessings of love and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
