Insights
Rev Gav
What does it mean that Christ is Sovereign?
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 in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Reflect
Today is Christ the King Sunday and the last Sunday in the church year during which we re-tell the story of Jesus. It is both interesting and helpful that this Bible passage from Luke (about the crucifixion) should be the set reading, as it reframes the common narrative of what ‘kingship’ is all about. Traditionally, on Christ the King Sunday, the church has focused on the supremacy, authority, power, and majesty of God as the ideal to which earthly sovereigns should aspire; however, this reading frames kingship in a different way — as one of love, service, and sacrifice.
Jesus had spent three years teaching in the regions of Judea and Galilee and the crucifixion was the ultimate ‘putting into action’ or ‘living out’ of his teaching. The idea behind being a disciple was that you followed in the footsteps of the rabbi, and the rabbi would live out the teaching which you were, likewise, expected to do. Therefore, Let us look at some of the teaching and examples found in Luke’s gospel and pick out a few verses that demonstrate how, through his crucifixion, Jesus practiced what he preached.
In Luke 4, when Jesus was tempted by the devil and evil tried to triumph over good, the devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world but he resisted the temptation choosing to, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Before his crucifixion, Pilate asked Jesus if he was the “King of the Jews”, and on the cross, they pinned this title over him, but on both occasions Jesus refused to adopt it — i.e. it was not a self-assigned or self-endorsed title.
Also, in Luke 4, Jesus was challenged to spare himself from the torment, but quoted, “One does not live by bread alone,” and, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” On the cross Jesus was challenged to, “save himself,” but he chose to remain devoted only to God’s will and purpose.
In Luke 6.27-28, Jesus taught, “Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.” During the crucifixion, Jesus did not retaliate nor seek to harm his oppressors. In fact, he prayed for them.
In Luke 6.29, Jesus taught, “If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.” During the crucifixion narratives he allowed himself to be struck, beaten, and executed.
Also in Luke 6.29, Jesus taught, “If anyone takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt,” and on the cross , “they cast lots to divide his clothing.”
In Luke 6.37 Jesus taught, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven,” and on the cross, Jesus forgave those who were hurting him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In Luke 6.43-44, Jesus taught, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,” and Jesus hung on a tree bearing good fruit through his words and actions.
And finally, who are the blessed? In Luke 6.20-23, Jesus taught that it would be the poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, reviled, and defamed quoting, “Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven.” It was the thief on the cross who fit the category of the ‘blessed’ and Jesus told him, “today you will be with me in paradise.”
These examples are by no means an exhaustive list! There are many parallels with the teaching of Jesus found not only in Luke but in the other gospels and the writings of the Old Testament prophets. The point is that the crucifixion was the ultimate expression, and a culmination of all that Jesus taught and embodied. It was also the ultimate expression of God’s self-sacrificial love. What was there left to give as a love offering other than his own life?
For us who are followers of Jesus, it is important for us to acknowledge that we do not follow only a great teacher but a great example. The world often puts Jesus into the category of a great philosopher or wise teacher, citing examples such as those I have already mentioned; however, John describes Jesus as “the Word become flesh” or “the living Word”. Jesus literally embodied God’s wisdom.
A person may well give their lives for an ideology, but Christians give their lives for a person — Jesus Christ. The world often tries to reduce Christianity to following or obedience to a ‘Christian ethic’ but this is not the same thing as being a Christian! Because of this, being a Christian is not something we ‘try’ our best to do. It is not defined by anything we do or do not do because it is a relationship.
Yes, Jesus taught his disciples, but all his teaching was summed up in the two commandments of loving God and loving one another. Jesus did not lay down a whole list of things to do or not do, but simply called his disciples to, “follow me”. In other words, do as I do, live as I live, and love as I love. A Christian is someone who knows, and is known by, God.
Jesus laid out a roadmap for us to follow and we are disciples, or apprentices, of Jesus. Unlike those first disciples, we cannot follow the rabbi in person; however, through his atoning sacrifice, Jesus unlocked the Holy Spirit — his Spirit — to fill and guide each one of us in person. And because it is the same Spirit, we all become connected to each other as the Spirit leads — forming or shaping us into communities or churches for mutual support and encouragement, each with a mandate to be a blessing to the world.
Like those first disciples, we are on a learning journey. Sometimes we will be close to the Spirit, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and at other times we will be lost and going our own way. We will make mistakes and get things wrong, but do not worry, you are not alone. You are part of a loving, accepting, community of people, all on the same path, and all filled with the same Spirit.
At FAB Church, God has drawn us together, I think, with the mission and purpose of reaching those who feel disaffected or rejected by God, to reassure them of God’s unwavering love for them, and to welcome them into God’s family. Our focus is not on maintaining buildings, funding clergy, nor church growth — but on helping and supporting those who feel unworthy, small, unheard, or are struggling.
No matter what your past, what baggage you are carrying, or what problems you have, you are welcome here, and I hope that you can call this small community your spiritual home.
Amen.
and then