I must say, I’ve been struggling a little with what to write about today, this Christ the King Sunday. I like to always try to find a personal aspect with which I can relate the readings to everyday life, and so I’ve been trying to think about what is relatable about recognizing Jesus as the King of the Universe? I mean there is so much we can pull out of these readings today, and I can sit here and talk about how Jesus is the image of the invisible God and how He was there before all creation and so much more theology and meaning.
But we already know that. We already know that Jesus, while human is also fully divine and today we commemorate that truth. But there is one angle today where we can relate this to our everyday lives. It’s not with Jesus, though. It’s with the men hanging on their own crosses beside Him. And so while there is a lot packed into these readings today, I think the message is simple – and so I’m going to keep it simple today. Short and sweet.
Both men beside Jesus were criminals, and according to the laws of the day, they deserved to be there. They were sinners. And so how fitting God’s plan was in that His Son is crucified to save humanity from its sin, and He has sinners on both sides of Him.
Those two thieves represent humanity. We’re all sinners. And many of us take the route of the first man, where he insulted Jesus and mocked Him, tempting Him in that, if He is God, then He should save Himself and the rest of them as well. How often do we disrespect God in this way? How often do we speak to God in this way? All too often I’m afraid.
But then there is the other criminal, often called the good thief. He hears this and he calls the other man out. Do you not know Who this is? Do you not know that the Son of God is right next to you? Do you not respect God?
The second man has made his mistakes, and he is paying for them. And he admits it. But through all that, he realizes that God, the Messiah is right there in his midst and he repents, and asks Jesus – God – to have mercy on Him.
The second man, the good thief – he gets it. And I think that is the lesson. That through all the stuff that life throws at us – through all our failures and our misgivings, and even through all the good – we can’t mock God. We can’t temp Him and insult Him, and look to Him to simply save us from temporal pain.
I want to be more like the man who knows who Jesus is. That through the trials and tribulations of life and all the uncertainty, knows his faults, and admits that he has made mistakes, but who also knows that the pain is temporary, and that this man next to him is truly the Son of God, the King of the Universe.
And so that’s what it really boils down to. We’re all sinners. We’re all strung up on a cross next to Jesus.
The question is, which one are you? Are you not wanting to bear your cross, and are looking for a temporary fix, wanting to enjoy just a little more temporal pleasure in this world, mocking God in the process?
Or are you willing to accept your cross, knowing that the Man beside you is God, believing that He truly can save you, not just in this world, but for eternity? Are you willing to bear that cross for Him?
I think it’s as simple as that.
God Bless.
2 Sm 5: 1-3/ Ps 122: 1-2. 3-4. 4-5/ Col 1: 12-20/ Lk 23: 35-43
