christ the king
the PRAYER. . .
O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy. We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory. Abide with us, reign in us, and make this world into a fit habitation for your divine majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
the READING. . .
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.
the DEVOTION. . .
In or Out. Up or Down. All or nothing. We know some things only in pairs. We need an equal and opposite to understand clearly. That’s true in the world, and that’s true here in the church, as well. Good or Bad. Saint or Sinner. Saved or Damned. One thing, on one side; something else entirely, on the other. Like in this week’s gospel …
Two criminals are crucified with Jesus. One on the right; the other on the left. One criminal derides Jesus. The other defends him. And Jesus says to the one defending him, “Today, you’ll be with me!” But just because Jesus tells the one that he’ll be with him doesn’t mean that the other won’t! We just don’t know! Jesus didn’t say anything to him … not to the criminal deriding … or the soldiers mocking … or the leaders scoffing …
All we know – for sure – is that Jesus was crucified and, according to Luke, the first word uttered was, “Forgive!” And it was said before anyone scoffed … or mocked … or derided … or stood by … or
Bob Barndt, pastor