What King Is This?

Scripture

Luke 23:33–43 NIV

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. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 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.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Introduction

Today we celebrate the coming of Christ, our King. That is what the season of Advent and Christmas is really all about It is a time when we remember His coming to earth in the form of a child.

This will be the first time our church will celebrate Christ the King Sunday - the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and also the last Sunday prior to the season of Advent.

HISTORY

The celebration of Christ the King was originally instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in a declaration called the Quas Primas.

In the 21st Century many Western Christians - Catholic and Protestants - celebrate Christ the King Sunday. Because of its value, it has been adopted by many and we celebrate it here today because of an aspect of the Fourfold Gospel. We look forward to Christ’s eventual return as our King.

At the time of its institution, secularism was on teh rise and many Christians doubted Christ’s authority and even His existence.

1925 was an age when dictatorships in Europe was on the rise.

Pius hoped that the annual celebration of Christ the King would work toward the accomplishment of the following:

That nations would see that the Christ has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state.

That leaders and nations are bound to give respect to Christ.

That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies.

The goals of this celebration are much needed today, as these problems have not vanished but instead have worsened. The language of “king” is not popular in some churches and Christians have not taken time to consider what the Kingship of Christ means.

In a world that seems to scorn any kind of authority, many Christians proudly celebrate Christ the King Sunday, where the loving and merciful and just king of the universe is praised and glorified.

This morning I am going to pose a question which I will humbly seek to answer:

What kind of King is this?

Luke 23:33–43 NIV

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. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 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.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What kind of king is this that we have gathered this morning to celebrate?

Is Christ a tyrannical King who forces obedience? Or is Christ a weak king unable to rule HIs Kingdom?

ILLUSTRATION: Soren Kierkegaard

On the incarnation of God in Christ:

A certain king was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was most unhappy, for he desired a wife. Without a queen, the vast palace was empty.

One day, while riding through the streets of a small village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. So lovely was she that the heart of the king was won. He wanted her more than anything he had ever desired. On succeeding days, he would ride by her house on the mere hope of seeing her for a moment in passing.

He wondered how he might win her love. He thought, I will draw up a royal decree and require her to be brought before me to become the queen of my land. But, as he considered, he realized that she was a subject and would be forced to obey. He could never be certain that he had won her love.

Then, he said to himself, “I shall call on her in person. I will dress in my finest royal garb; wear my diamond rings, my silver sword, my shiny black boots, and my most colorful tunic.

I will overwhelm her and sweep her off her feet to become my bride.” But, as he pondered the idea, he knew that he would always wonder whether she had married him for the riches and power he could give her.

Then, he decided to dress as a peasant, drive to the town, and have his carriage let him off. In disguise, he would approach her house. But, somehow the duplicity of this plan did not appeal to him.

At last, he knew what he must do. He would shed his royal robes. He would go to the village and become one of the peasants. He would work and suffer with them. He would actually become a peasant. This he did. And he won his wife.

So did God consider how He might win humankind. God in Christ became one of us. He took upon Himself the form of human flesh to dwell among us (). Paul says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” ().

EXPOSITION

When the Romans would crucify a criminal it was common for one of guards to carry a sign that announced the crime that the person was condemned for. In the case of Jesus, no actual crime had been determined, so His official crime was in claiming to be the King of the Jews, though he never directly made this claim.

He claimed to be one with God and it was the reason why religious authorities pressured the Romans to crucify him. Jesus spoke of His kingdom which is not of this world.

The Kingdom of Christ is not a kingdom of earthly treasures and palaces. Jesus said, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” ( ESV).

The Kingdom of Christ is an upside down kingdom where the first are last and the King is a servant of his subjects. Referring to himself, Jesus said,

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

What King is this who lays down His life for His subjects?

Matthew 18:1–4 ESV

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I love interacting with young children - especially my niece and nephew. They are easily wowed by things around them. They are excited about new opportunities and experiences - because it is all new to them. I love teaching new things to them whenever I see them.

There is something beautiful about the simple and sincere heart of a child. I am convinced that reflected in the eyes of a child is the clearest image of God.

Finger-wagging preachers have convincingly told us that God is someone to be feared much more than to be loved. But this is not so. We do not serve a God who is primarily concerned with judgment - we serve a God who loves, laughs, and play.

Can you imagine a God of judgment creating the heart of a child? Can you imagine a God of condemnation creating the wonder and mystery of the human expressions of hope, peace, joy, or love?

God’s primary attribute is love and the most natural expression of His love was to create reflective objects to love. Living objects which are capable of not only receiving love but also of experiencing and expressing that love.

Faith is more of a dance than a science.

In Christ, we have been invited to participate in the love of our Creator. Religion is dry. Theology is but rhetoric. Experiencing the love of the King; that is true faith.

Conclusion

In Jesus called a child to come to him. He then tells his disciples, and us, that unless we turn and become like a little child we will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

To be citizens of the Kingdom of Christ, we need not be great and powerful people. The Kingdom of Christ is an upside down kingdom where the first shall be last.

To be citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, we must be like a child; honest, genuine, sincere. We serve a God who, very much like a child, is “wowed” by HIs creation!

While the legalists - the Neo-Pharisees - of our day are not likely to share my joy-filled perceptions of God and interpretations of His Word, the words of King Jesus need not be authenticated by self absorbed scholars to be valid.

What King is this, you ask. He is King Jesus! He announces and proclaims to us the very heart of God!

And it is our responsibility to share about King Jesus with other people. We know our King is coming soon!

As we enter into this Advent Season, I invite you to join with me in celebrating so much more than simply another festive season. Let this Christmas season be about even more than presents and cranberry sauce; though those are good things!

Let your heart be drawn into a deep worship of God as you celebrate the git of grace which is found in Christ! Let your soul be drawn into a deep reverence of God as you celebrate the coming of Christ - Our King!

Applications

We need to be ready!

We need to proclaim the gospel because Jesus is coming soon!