Christ the King

When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing. The people were standing around watching, but the leaders sneered at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one.” The soldiers also mocked him. They came up to him, offering him sour wine and saying, “If you really are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Above his head was a notice of the formal charge against him. It read “This is the king of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus insulted him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Responding, the other criminal spoke harshly to him, “Don’t you fear God, seeing that you’ve also been sentenced to die? We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:33-43, CEB)

Why is the crucifixion the verses for Christ the King, or Reign of Christ Sunday? Seems like the death of Jesus would not be the thing to lift him to Kinghood.

Yet, His death was the end for Jesus. We, as followers of Christ, know that this is not the end of the story, even Jesus’ resurrection is not the end of the story.

Jesus is reigning still. His death showed the world love and has given us the model to mold our lives after.

We should live in the same manner as Jesus and love without limit, knowing the world will not accept it, but being the purveyors of love, grace, and mercy in everything we do.

Know Christ is King, no matter what. Show His love through your life.

like a child

People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them. Then Jesus called them to him and said, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17, CEB)

“Whoever does not welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” What does that mean?

Well, I would like to think it means we need to have childlike wonder about God. Where we believe the promises and God is there without needing to prove it. Think of things children believe in, and this could be a spoiler for some.

The Easter Bunny.
The Tooth Fairy.
The Sandman.
The Boogie Man.
Jack Frost.
Santa Claus.

Now these are from Rise of the Guardians, which is a great movie, in my humble opinion. And these are all “people” perpetuated by adults. But children believe in these characters. Their wonder and zest for life are what we need.

A child is fully dependent on the one caring for them, and that is what we need to have for God. Total unyielding dependence. Believing that no matter what, God will always walk with us and be there through everything.

Have childlike wonder for the kingdom.

inheritance or goal?

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. You have a pure and enduring inheritance that cannot perish—an inheritance that is presently kept safe in heaven for you. Through his faithfulness, you are guarded by God’s power so that you can receive the salvation he is ready to reveal in the last time. You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. You are receiving the goal of your faith: your salvation. (1 Peter 1:3-9, CEB)

An inheritance is something you get because the person who is giving it wants you to have it. You really can not do anything to get it, but I guess one could do something to have it removed.

A goal is something we work for and take certain steps to proceed towards that goal.

So, which is it, Peter, a goal or an inheritance?

God chose to love you because God made you. You can do nothing to make God love you less, and anything you do will not make God love you more.

God chose you. Your faith is not what gains you anything. God’s love for you is all it takes.

eagerly waiting…

So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be cleansed with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things had to be cleansed with better sacrifices than these. Christ didn’t enter the holy place (which is a copy of the true holy place) made by human hands, but into heaven itself, so that he now appears in God’s presence for us. He didn’t enter to offer himself over and over again, like the high priest enters the earthly holy place every year with blood that isn’t his. If that were so, then Jesus would have to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. Instead, he has now appeared once at the end of the ages to get rid of sin by sacrificing himself. People are destined to die once and then face judgment. In the same way, Christ was also offered once to take on himself the sins of many people. He will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:23-28, CEB)

I do not know if I am cynical or just tired, but I read this and thought about Christian Nationalism.

According to the author of Hebrews, whose identity we do not know, Jesus is coming back for those eagerly waiting for Him. And who is eagerly waiting for Him?

How does one wait eagerly? Like my cat who after hearing the garage door go up, comes and sits and meows at the door into the house from the garage?

Would not waiting eagerly for Jesus’ return mean doing what Jesus told us to do?

Like loving God and loving our neighbor, which is actually everyone.

Doing good to all people and looking out for those being held down by those in power?

Will we a sheep or a goat in the tale from Matthew 25? Where both were surprised by the statements they received from Jesus.

My thought is, yes Jesus is coming back, but I want to be a part of the love that is spread now. So I will love without worry and know that there is grace for that.

Grow cold…

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your people together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. Look, your house is left to you deserted. I tell you, you won’t see me until you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.” Now Jesus left the temple and was going away. His disciples came to point out to him the temple buildings. He responded, “Do you see all these things? I assure that no stone will be left on another. Everything will be demolished.” Now while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” Jesus replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the Christ.’ They will deceive many people. You will hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in all sorts of places. But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end. They will arrest you, abuse you, and they will kill you. All nations will hate you on account of my name. At that time many will fall away. They will betray each other and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come. (Matthew 23:37—24:14, CEB)

What is the sign of the end, the disciples want to know.

Many will say they are Christ, and they aren’t, so do not be fooled.

There will be wars, nations will rise against nations.

There will be famines and earthquakes all over the place.

This is not the end.

You will be arrested, abused, and killed because of the gospel.

And until the gospel of the kingdom is proclaimed throughout the world to all nations, the end will not come.

So once every nation has heard the gospel, the end will come.

But the interesting lines to me here are: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.”

Disobedience to the gospel will expand, and the love of many will grow cold. Love grows cold when we do not share it. When we hoard it for ourselves or those we deem worthy.

It is not about who we deem worthy; it is about who God deems worthy, and that is everyone. If the love you give does not flow to everyone, then you are disobedient to the gospel and causing love to grow cold.

But those who endure in love will be delivered.

Love like Jesus!

everything

Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn’t build others up. No one should look out for their own advantage, but they should look out for each other. Eat everything that is sold in the marketplace, without asking questions about it because of your conscience. The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord. If an unbeliever invites you to eat with them and you want to go, eat whatever is served, without asking questions because of your conscience. But if someone says to you, “This meat was sacrificed in a temple,” then don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. Now when I say “conscience” I don’t mean yours but the other person’s. Why should my freedom be judged by someone else’s conscience? If I participate with gratitude, why should I be blamed for food I thank God for? So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory. Don’t offend either Jews or Greeks, or God’s church. This is the same thing that I do. I please everyone in everything I do. I don’t look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved. Follow my example, just like I follow Christ’s. (1 Corinthians 10:23—11:1, CEB)

The first three sentences here say a great deal.

Everything is permitted. You can do whatever you want. However, just because you can does not mean you should, and it does not mean that it is beneficial to all. It may be of great benefit to you and great harm to others, and so you can do it; however, maybe you should think about it and reconsider.

Everything is permitted. Again, you can do whatever you want. However, as above the thing you do might build up your life and detract from others. What we do should build up others, not just us. In building up others’ lives, we are in turn building up our own.

In everything we do we should be looking out for the other.

Love like Jesus and do what brings the greater good for all.

imitate…

Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, Each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor because we are parts of each other in the same body. Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger. Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need. Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ. Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God. (Ephesians 4:25—5:2, CEB)

Imitate God like dearly loved children, living your life with love, following the example of Christ!

Love like Jesus.

Be like Jesus.

Do not be bitter, angry, evil. Instead, be kind, compassionate, forgiving.

Love like Jesus.

Imitate Jesus.

not a hair…

Some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to God. Jesus said, “As for the things you are admiring, the time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will show that these things are about to happen?” Jesus said, “Watch out that you aren’t deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ and ‘It’s time!’ Don’t follow them. When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately.” Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. Everyone will hate you because of my name. Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:5-19, CEB)

More talk of signs. Jesus essentially says that many bad things will happen before the kingdom comes, but there is no way to be certain.

We need to guard our hearts against things that will lead us from God and stay fast to loving the word as Jesus loves us.

But through it all, not one hair on your head will be lost. I take great comfort in this. By holding fast to Jesus we will gain our lives.

Hold fast and do not fear, your hair is safe, and God’s love is needed by the world.

signs

Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.” Then Jesus said to the disciples, “The time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Human One, and you won’t see it. People will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Don’t leave or go chasing after them. The Human One will appear on his day in the same way that a flash of lightning lights up the sky from one end to the other. However, first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be during the days of the Human One. People were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage until the day Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise in the days of Lot, people were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building. But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. That’s the way it will be on the day the Human One is revealed. On that day, those on the roof, whose possessions are in the house, shouldn’t come down to grab them. Likewise, those in the field shouldn’t turn back. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to preserve their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in the same bed: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together: one will be taken and the other left.” The disciples asked, “Where, Lord?” Jesus said, “The vultures gather wherever there’s a dead body.” (Luke 17:20-37, CEB)

I find it amusing that people read this and say these are the signs of the coming Kingdom of God, when Jesus clearly says at the beginning of the lesson, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”

God’s kingdom is not coming with easily recognizable signs, because don’t you see it is already here!

We are living in God’s kingdom, and we are so focused on when it is coming and what the signs will be, we miss it. We are so focused on the raining fire and sulfur we miss what is happening around us.

We are so focused on our own lives and the sins of others that we miss God in our midst.

Focus on God, and allow Their love to permeate your life, and then maybe you will see it.

Love like Jesus, and look through God’s eyes.

what would happen?

Brothers and sisters, we must always thank God for you. This is only right because your faithfulness is growing by leaps and bounds, and the love that all of you have for each other is increasing. That’s why we ourselves are bragging about you in God’s churches. We tell about your endurance and faithfulness in all the harassments and trouble that you have put up with. This shows that God’s judgment is right, and that you will be considered worthy of God’s kingdom for which you are suffering. After all, it’s right for God to pay back the ones making trouble for you with trouble and to pay back you who are having trouble with relief along with us. This payback will come when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels. He will give justice with blazing fire to those who don’t recognize God and don’t obey the good news of our Lord Jesus. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the Lord’s presence and away from his mighty glory. This will happen when he comes on that day to receive honor from his holy people and to be admired by everyone who has believed—and our testimony to you was believed. We are constantly praying for you for this: that our God will make you worthy of his calling and accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored by you, and you will be honored by him, consistent with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, CEB)

The author of the epistle follows Paul’s lead and starts the epistle by reminding the readers that the author prays for them. They are remembered and lifted to God because of their faith and that they are children of God.

How many people do you pray for daily?

I have an app, Ceaseless, that connects to my contacts and randomly pulls three a day for me to pray for. It allows me to send them a message to let them know I prayed for them. I also have another app, Echo, which lets me put in prayers and reminds me on Thursdays (because that is when I set it to do that) to pray for a specific person at a specific time.

It is good to have reminders to pray for others, but what would happen if we all prayed daily for others around us?

How can you step up and pray for others.

What can you do to lift others to God?