November 24th Reflection - The King - by Bill Lynch

Luke 23:33-43

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. [[ Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 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.’

 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

Reflection-The King
All this talk of kings. How appropriate and how intentional on this day. I can almost see the spittle coming from the mouths of those mocking Jesus, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" Can't you see the sign over Jesus' head dripping with hateful sarcasm, "This is the King of the Jews." The hatred is intense and the mockery is overwhelming in this passage of scripture.

Yet... yet, we see Jesus hanging with a couple of criminals from a cross. A cross that he did not deserve. A cross that was the result of Truth. Truth with a capital T. Truth that is of God and only of God. Truth of which we as human's couldn't take or understand. The Truth is that God sent Jesus to us... to us to save us... to heal us... to wipe all tears away... to take us to himself... to proceed before us in a resurrection that takes us to that wonderful place.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
(Revelation 21:3-5)

That's my King! That's the King that I have that sits on the throne. A cross is replaced with a throne fit for my King. A King of Truth. A King of Love. A King that sets his home with me... a criminal on a cross... with me the guilty of sin... with me a person that needs salvation.

All this talk of kings. How appropriate and how intentional on this day. 

Thanks be to God for the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Thanks be to God for Jesus the King.

Prayer

Father, I give you thanks and praise for sending a King into this world to reign from my here and now into your eternity forever and ever. For you are King... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen