November 25, 2007

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Festival of Christ the King   

Please Read:

Luke 23:33-43

Also read:

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Luke 1:68-79

Colossians 1:11-20

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there   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 no 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."

What Kind of King Is This?

The story  comes full circle.

He hangs upon his cross

even more weak and vulnerable

than the baby that years before

lay in Bethlehem’s manger,

the butt of their jokes,

the victim of their cruelty

as once more, Herod and Pilate

and all the power of the state

destroy the innocents.

History repeats itself.

Above his head, a derisive label,

“This is the King of the Jews.” 

If only they knew,

if only they could tell

that he was destined

to be King of the Universe.

But in reality, it’s up to us

whether the inscription is to be

cruel joke or promise and prophecy.

For His is a kingdom of the heart,

in truth, a pure democracy

where each person has a deciding vote.

And the King’s realm is as small

as the inner recesses of our being

and as wide as eternity.

And those who vote for the King

find themselves walking with him each day

in Paradise.

--- rvc

*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.  Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.

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