A Meditation for Trinity 23 – Christ the King
Collect
Colossians 1: 11-20
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
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 into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Next Sunday will be Advent – the beginning of the Church Year. It will instigate the days of reflective preparation for the coming of the Christ, the start of the annual cycle of religious belief. Most of its significance will be lost in the jingaligalling retail frenzy as the world celebrates the Saviour’s birth (at least nominally). But that celebration is incomplete – and in fact pretty meaningless – unless we complete the cycle by also marking and celebrating the final chapter of the story – the crowning of the King of Kings.
The Gospel description of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and coronation is remarkably similar to the pattern of the Agricultural year.
‘We plough the fields and scatter’. Plough Sunday is a time especially devoted to asking for God’s blessing on agriculture and industry as we prepare the ground for renewal. The Prophets and John the Baptist promised the coming incarnation of a Messiah, the Christ, who through grace will redeem the world from its sinful past.
At Rogation tide, we plant the seed that will grow to fulfilment and feed the world. In Jesus calling of the first disciples He plants the seed that will germinate and grow to equip them to spread the message of God’s love through their teaching and example.
Lammastide, (in Ireland Lughnasadh), originally ‘Loaf Mass’, is traditionally the day of first fruits – the bread of the new harvest. The fresh New Covenant relaces the misinterpreted and corrupted law, healing the pain of subjection to secular power.
In the late Autumn, at Harvesttime, we give thanks for God’s unfailing provision, and then the nights become darker as the earth becomes silent and rests. Jesus sets His face to Jerusalem and takes His place in the final act of His Passion. It appears that everything dies.
But it doesn’t. Instead, it is death that is defeated. The winter has no lasting power; the lamb triumphs over sin. The harrowing of the old order prepares the way for the new one to begin under His rule, and the crown of Glory is cast upon His head.
The voice from the criminal on the cross is the first to acknowledge Jesus as King forever, and as old year turns to new year, the story is to be told again.
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
…and He is prepared to do it all again, in love.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 27th July 2025
In a word, it is all prayer, a rich sequence, choreographed in different moments of gathering, praise, listening and communion.
Praying Together 20th July 2025
Jesus comes to us in many ways and with many faces. Are we aware we may ‘entertain Angels without knowing it?
Praying Together 13th July 2025
May we never miss meeting your gaze,
in the eyes of our sibling, the stranger.
Praying Together 6th July 2025
Always remember that ‘success’ is simply doing His will – it’s not necessarily achieving the outcome we would ourselves consider to be ‘successful’. Leave that definition with Him.
Praying Together 29th June 2025
Jesus is looking for commitment. Absolute, unconditional, commitment. When I think of what that means, I’m always minded of Martina Navratilova’s remark: “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
Praying Together 22nd June 2025
As Christians, may we never regard mercy and compassion towards others as weakness, naivety or gullibility, but display the traits which demonstrate that we follow a Saviour who came to rescue those left behind.
Praying Together 15th June 2025
You couldn’t fly a kite inside a church building –for the Kite to fly you’d have to go into the windy street outside. Where does that place the need for the Spirit to act?
Praying Together 8 June 2025
Of all the strange things happening on the Day of Pentecost, perhaps the most puzzling is when God appears to have second thoughts. In Genesis 11, He makes it difficult for people to understand each other’s language
Praying Together 1st June 2025
The song by Mary Black, ‘Bless the Road’, while written as from a parent whose child is leaving home alone for the first time – maybe first day at primary school, going to college, beginning an independent life – always puts me in mind of the thoughts and blessing of Jesus as He prays for His disciples before His Ascension.
Praying Together 25th May 2025
‘Peace I give to you… do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.’
His peace is not remote and only there at the end of things – His Peace is with us now.
Praying Together 18th May 2025
So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side.
Praying Together 11th May 2025
Wherever there are people who have no freedom to make choices about their lives, where there is inequality and injustice, slavery exists.