King of Kings

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

~~2 Samuel 5:1-3~~Psalm 122~~Colossians  1:12-20~~Luke 23:35-43~~

The church ends the liturgical year this weekend.
It is fitting that we are given the kingship of Jesus for the closing liturgy.
Most of the year we do not focus our attention on Jesus as a King.
His kingdom is not and never was of this world.
This is what was so confusing, disappointing, and confusing for the Jews.

The kingdom of Jesus is in heaven with his Father.
His kingdom is ruled by the hand of love and mercy.

In his final days he was mocked and dressed up in a robe and a crown.
This crown was not one of gold and precious stones,
it was fashioned from thorn branches.
This king did not sit upon his throne and rule over the land.
This king was nailed upon a cross and raised up covered in blood to be spat upon.
This king was not flanked on either side with palace guards,
he had common criminals hanging beside him.

The sign above his head read 'King of the Jews'.
No one that day took it seriously with the exception of the good
thief hanging beside Jesus.
 

 

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."

Jesus was not the king the people were expecting during Biblical times.

He had no earthly kingdom...he had no regal robes...
he had no servants or slaves to wait on him...

 

KING

 

K...knowledgeable

I...intimate, inclusive

N...never-ending, non judgmental

G...generous

Jesus had full knowledge that he came to do the will of the Father.
Jesus desires to have an intimate relationship with each of us.
Jesus is inclusive of all people. saints and sinners.
The love Jesus has for us is never ending...freely given
we are not judged whether or not we are worthy of this love.
Jesus generously gave us all that he has...he gave us every drop of blood
in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 

 

 

Let us give thanks to the Father....

Today we have so many reasons to give thanks to the Father.
It is right and just that we should give him thanks and praise
for all that he has done for us.
What king today would lay down his life to save his subjects?
We have a king who is the King of Kings and Lord of all the Universe...
all of creation...all that is good.

He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
 

Someday we will be welcomed into his kingdom.
God sent his Son to save us so that we would be able to enter into the Kingdom of God.
The word became flesh to show us the way to the Kingdom.
I pray that the day that I die I too will hear Jesus say...

...today you will be with me in Paradise.

Begin taking an inventory of your blessings today.
Give thanks first to God for including you in his divine salvation plan.
Our King is like no other...he loves like no other...
he provides for us like no other could.