Luke 23:33-43. Christ the King! 25/11/07
(33) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. {35} The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. {39} One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Here at the last Sunday of the Church year our focus is shifted to the end of time – the final outcome of life and the fulfilment of all things; and of who and what is ultimately important. Now off course, this is something most people don’t want to think too much about. They would prefer to live for the moment – live for what they can get and have, here and now; they would prefer to make up their own rules and to do as they please; without any real regard for the future and for the truth and reality. When it comes to the end; well they will take their chances and hope for the best. And as to who and what is important in life; well naturally it is me and my freedom and happiness. Everything for them, revolves around self.
Now this thinking is very much in line with the story about this guy who inherited his way into a hardware store. He was raised with all the trappings of a moderately wealthy lifestyle and being spoilt along the way. Well, now it was his turn to take over the running of the store and training the next generation. Now he thought this ‘was it and a bit;’ strutting around in his self-importance; telling the workers and others what he thought, even though he had little idea, since he paid no attention to his father’s advice along the way. He would then spend on the outward and showy things. He would take time off again and again to do his own pleasurable things; But never taking the time to think about and manage the important aspects of the business. Along with that he would never listen to others and particularly the people who should know and who kept reminding him of things that he should be considering.
So as the money came in, he would spent up. His accountants told him that he must put some aside for the tax bill at the end of the year. But of course, he had it all under control - it would all work out - don’t worry. Instead he kept thinking of the moment and himself and what he wanted from life. Well, tax time came around and with it a bill of $1/4 million; and hardly a dollar in the till to pay. He was in trouble. He was then eventually brought before the courts and was about to be declared bankrupt, when his father steps in and pays the debt and averts a disaster.
Now the truly tragic thing was that he went back to the store and continues on just as before; not listening to his father and others around him – not thinking about his near disaster. Then of course, the next tax time comes around, but this time he was left on own and he finished up out in the street with nothing – not even a friend in the world.
Ridiculous isn’t it? Very few people would be that stupid; would they? Yet, that is just the attitude that many, many people have; and in a far more important area of life. They think that they can go through this life without any consideration and thought for the spiritual things of life – to that which has lasting value. There they think that life is free and easy; and that somehow it will all work out.
These people are like those who were there at Jesus’ crucifixion. Some are there watching, but not involved; looking on from the sidelines. But don’t ask them to commit themselves. Then there are those mock and scoff; openly ridiculing Christ and the Church. Others I am sure just walked on by, without much thought at all. Only a few people were taking seriously what was happening there on the cross, understanding that something very important was taking place.
Yet for all that, did Jesus stop being the Christ? Did he stop being the King of the Jews and of us? Did he ‘pull the pin’ on dying on the cross for us? Does it mean that the end and Judgement Day; heaven and hell, will cease to be a reality? Does it mean that God’s views on what is important and what will happen at that time, change to suite us? No it won’t – none of it!
The end will come and we all will have to face the Day of Reckoning. At that point we all will have to face reality. We will not be able to stand on our good name, reputation or our living a reasonably good life. We will not be able to face that day simply with an attitude that we will be able to take our chances and be let off somehow. Me and my desire for freedom and happiness on my own terms, will count for nothing.
The only thing that will count will be the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This account here of Jesus’ death on the cross, is only thing that can give any one us any real hope and any certainty when it comes to that day. Jesus’ death on the cross is the one single thing that will enable us to face that day with confidence. Confidence not in ourselves or any other single thing other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
It will be no good us saying simply that we are members his church; as much as that is important for us as we live between now and then; so that we are strengthened and encouraged through Word and Sacraments; and so that we can support and encourage one another. At the same time it is no good us saying simply that we followed Jesus’ example in living the good life. Again, yes, that is something we need to strive after and seek to do the best that we can, because he is our Lord and Saviour. Nor can we simply say that we know certain stories about Jesus and what the Bible says. But here again it will be another of our aims along the way through this life, to know as much as we can about Jesus and the Christian Faith. All of those kinds of things ultimately amount to nothing on that last day.
All we can then and now do, is to say, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ All we can do is look to him and trust in him. Knowing that because of his death and resurrection there is forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life with our gracious Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ alone is to be and will be seen by all to be King of all and Lord of lords. Yes, there are and will be many who reject this message, but they will still have to stand before the Lord on the last day, and acknowledge that he is God’s Son after all, but then to go to their damnation for having rejected him throughout this life.
Now if that is to be the situation then on that last day – the day of fulfilment; then surely now we can and will hold him as King above all kings and Lord of all lords. We will look to him now as our saviour and friend; and we will hold up Jesus Christ and his death on the cross as central to our lives as Christians. We will regularly gather together in his house to be strengthened and encouraged through his Word and Sacraments. We will seek to live and be his people each and every day of our lives. We will trust him in the present and for the future.
Then we will be able to go forward, full of hope and confidence. We will look to Jesus Christ our King, enthroned on the cross, reigning in his humble glory. That is our encouragement here today and as we look forward in life and to the end of time. The Lord Jesus Christ is King; to him then belongs and will be all glory now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
.
(33) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. {35} The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. {39} One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Here at the last Sunday of the Church year our focus is shifted to the end of time – the final outcome of life and the fulfilment of all things; and of who and what is ultimately important. Now off course, this is something most people don’t want to think too much about. They would prefer to live for the moment – live for what they can get and have, here and now; they would prefer to make up their own rules and to do as they please; without any real regard for the future and for the truth and reality. When it comes to the end; well they will take their chances and hope for the best. And as to who and what is important in life; well naturally it is me and my freedom and happiness. Everything for them, revolves around self.
Now this thinking is very much in line with the story about this guy who inherited his way into a hardware store. He was raised with all the trappings of a moderately wealthy lifestyle and being spoilt along the way. Well, now it was his turn to take over the running of the store and training the next generation. Now he thought this ‘was it and a bit;’ strutting around in his self-importance; telling the workers and others what he thought, even though he had little idea, since he paid no attention to his father’s advice along the way. He would then spend on the outward and showy things. He would take time off again and again to do his own pleasurable things; But never taking the time to think about and manage the important aspects of the business. Along with that he would never listen to others and particularly the people who should know and who kept reminding him of things that he should be considering.
So as the money came in, he would spent up. His accountants told him that he must put some aside for the tax bill at the end of the year. But of course, he had it all under control - it would all work out - don’t worry. Instead he kept thinking of the moment and himself and what he wanted from life. Well, tax time came around and with it a bill of $1/4 million; and hardly a dollar in the till to pay. He was in trouble. He was then eventually brought before the courts and was about to be declared bankrupt, when his father steps in and pays the debt and averts a disaster.
Now the truly tragic thing was that he went back to the store and continues on just as before; not listening to his father and others around him – not thinking about his near disaster. Then of course, the next tax time comes around, but this time he was left on own and he finished up out in the street with nothing – not even a friend in the world.
Ridiculous isn’t it? Very few people would be that stupid; would they? Yet, that is just the attitude that many, many people have; and in a far more important area of life. They think that they can go through this life without any consideration and thought for the spiritual things of life – to that which has lasting value. There they think that life is free and easy; and that somehow it will all work out.
These people are like those who were there at Jesus’ crucifixion. Some are there watching, but not involved; looking on from the sidelines. But don’t ask them to commit themselves. Then there are those mock and scoff; openly ridiculing Christ and the Church. Others I am sure just walked on by, without much thought at all. Only a few people were taking seriously what was happening there on the cross, understanding that something very important was taking place.
Yet for all that, did Jesus stop being the Christ? Did he stop being the King of the Jews and of us? Did he ‘pull the pin’ on dying on the cross for us? Does it mean that the end and Judgement Day; heaven and hell, will cease to be a reality? Does it mean that God’s views on what is important and what will happen at that time, change to suite us? No it won’t – none of it!
The end will come and we all will have to face the Day of Reckoning. At that point we all will have to face reality. We will not be able to stand on our good name, reputation or our living a reasonably good life. We will not be able to face that day simply with an attitude that we will be able to take our chances and be let off somehow. Me and my desire for freedom and happiness on my own terms, will count for nothing.
The only thing that will count will be the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This account here of Jesus’ death on the cross, is only thing that can give any one us any real hope and any certainty when it comes to that day. Jesus’ death on the cross is the one single thing that will enable us to face that day with confidence. Confidence not in ourselves or any other single thing other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
It will be no good us saying simply that we are members his church; as much as that is important for us as we live between now and then; so that we are strengthened and encouraged through Word and Sacraments; and so that we can support and encourage one another. At the same time it is no good us saying simply that we followed Jesus’ example in living the good life. Again, yes, that is something we need to strive after and seek to do the best that we can, because he is our Lord and Saviour. Nor can we simply say that we know certain stories about Jesus and what the Bible says. But here again it will be another of our aims along the way through this life, to know as much as we can about Jesus and the Christian Faith. All of those kinds of things ultimately amount to nothing on that last day.
All we can then and now do, is to say, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ All we can do is look to him and trust in him. Knowing that because of his death and resurrection there is forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life with our gracious Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ alone is to be and will be seen by all to be King of all and Lord of lords. Yes, there are and will be many who reject this message, but they will still have to stand before the Lord on the last day, and acknowledge that he is God’s Son after all, but then to go to their damnation for having rejected him throughout this life.
Now if that is to be the situation then on that last day – the day of fulfilment; then surely now we can and will hold him as King above all kings and Lord of all lords. We will look to him now as our saviour and friend; and we will hold up Jesus Christ and his death on the cross as central to our lives as Christians. We will regularly gather together in his house to be strengthened and encouraged through his Word and Sacraments. We will seek to live and be his people each and every day of our lives. We will trust him in the present and for the future.
Then we will be able to go forward, full of hope and confidence. We will look to Jesus Christ our King, enthroned on the cross, reigning in his humble glory. That is our encouragement here today and as we look forward in life and to the end of time. The Lord Jesus Christ is King; to him then belongs and will be all glory now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
.
posted by Roger at
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