What do you imagine when you think of “kings”? Something from European history? The saga of King Charles and the royal family in England? Maybe even the “NO KINGS” marches happening now in our country? Usually, we associate the idea of kings with political power, the ruling of nations and possibly the dangers of corruption.
In stark contrast, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King this past Sunday with Luke 23:3343, from Jesus’ crucifixion. In these verses Jesus is nailed to the cross, scoffed at, taunted, and criticized. Not a kingly image at all!
Jesus’ whole ministry was spent proclaiming the kingdom of God – a kingdom centered on justice, forgiveness, and compassion; loving God with one’s whole heart and one’s neighbor as oneself; and living with kindness, generosity, and humility. Jesus even demonstrates “Kingdom forgiveness” by forgiving his executioners!
The leaders and soldiers around him mock the idea of his “kingdom” being worth anything. They only see “kingship” in terms of earthly power and authority, and Jesus clearly seems to have lost that fight.
One of the criminals hanging next to him, though, sees the truth, asking Jesus to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He recognizes Jesus’ kingship right in the middle of the suffering and sacrifice, repents and is received by Jesus into his kingdom.
So, what does this have to do with us?
We witness the events of Jesus’ crucifixion unfolding in new ways in our own time. We see the teachings and values of Jesus being ridiculed, ignored, or openly defied in our world. We see people losing faith in the kingdom of God because they see so much suffering and injustice; they think evil must be winning or that God has abandoned his children. We hear people say, “If God truly is loving and powerful, let him come down here and save us!”
What will we choose to do? Whom, or what, will we choose to follow as our King and allow to shape and lead our whole lives?
The Good News is that the love and grace of God far outweigh the priorities and rewards of the world, and the love of God sustains us right through the very worst of our earthly suffering. We can rest in knowing that Jesus suffered, too, before he died and was raised to life. This sounds clichéd, but Jesus has been there and will pull us through whatever happens. Evil and death did not and will not win, despite any temporary appearances to the contrary.
We can trust in Christ our King and choose to hold fast to humility and compassion, justice, and generosity, to being repentant and forgiving… because that’s what Jesus did and empowers us to do.
This Thanksgiving, give thanks for Jesus Christ still being our loving, life giving, very present King. Be thankful for the opportunities we have to share God’s love and peace with one another. We can show the world that God is not powerless and that Christ still leads with love, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and joy. May we follow with the same.
Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes you each Sunday at 10:00 a.m., where you will find a warm congregation, uplifting liturgy, and the good news of God’s love shared in word and sacrament. All are welcome; come be part of a community that stands together in faith and love.
