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.
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