Reign of Christ (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost) – Scoffers on a Hill

November 20, 2022 – Luke 23:33-43 NIRV

³³The soldiers brought them to the place called the Skull. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. He hung between the two criminals. One was on his right and one was on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” The soldiers divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵The people stood there watching. The rulers even made fun of Jesus. They said, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him. They offered him wine vinegar. ³⁷They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸A written sign had been placed above him. It read,

this is the king of the Jews.

³⁹One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself! Save us!”

⁴⁰But the other criminal scolded him. “Don’t you have any respect for God?” he said. “Remember, you are under the same sentence of death. ⁴¹We are being punished fairly. We are getting just what our actions call for. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”

⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³Jesus answered him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Object/visual aid:

Blank thank-you card.

Message:

Today is a special day in worship. Today is the last Sunday of the church calendar. That may seem strange to us, because it’s not the end of our calendar; but in the church, next Sunday begins Advent. Advent begins the Christian calendar as we prepare for the birth and coming of Jesus. Advent begins the new year in the church. This Sunday is also called “Christ the King” or “Reign of Christ” Sunday.

What does it mean that Jesus reigns? (Allow children to answer). Reign might sound like a weather-related word, but this word “reign” is spelled differently. There are many words that the Bible uses to describe Power. Words such as authority, dominion, reign (sounds like a weather event to non-readers), even rule are words that we don’t use very often in everyday language.

A more common word we might use is power. Reign of Christ Sunday says to us that Jesus has all the power in the universe, always has had it and always will. But Jesus chose not to use that power to get all the good stuff for himself. Instead, Jesus used that power, his reign, to take care of and love people. He calls himself a shepherd king. He calls us to use our power in the same caring, loving way.

On this day, the Bible story tells us of Jesus on the cross in between two criminals. There was a man hanging on another cross next to Jesus who had done some really bad things. He knew that he deserved to be punished for those wrongdoings, but he also knew that Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. Somehow, he knew that Jesus was God’s son and was king. As they both were hanging there, the man had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. Jesus, again, used his power to offer care and love to another person who was hurting.

How might we be like that man? (Allow children to answer). We aren’t hanging on a cross. We didn’t commit crimes, but Jesus also teaches us something about ourselves, and how we treat others. I wonder what Jesus has revealed in you. What have your learned about yourself from being a follower of Jesus? (Allow children to answer.)

Throughout this series, we have discovered gratitude from others face to face encounters with Jesus. This week, we discover how the criminal found compassion in Jesus. Remember the story of Zacchaeus? He found gratitude in Jesus. We find ourselves wanting to use our power, with help from Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, to offer care and love to our neighbors who might be suffering and hurting.

There is a connection to God through prayer and the spiritual practice of gratitude that reminds us of the Reign of Christ we celebrate in worship this Sunday.

Can you help me write todays thank-you card? On this special day, let’s write Jesus a thank-you note from the man on the cross next to him.

(Write the thank-you card. Have your words prepared; as you pretend to write the thank-you card, read it aloud.)

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for speaking the truth in love, as I recognize that you are truly our king and Savior. Thank you for offering me the care I need while I am hurting. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to show your reign and power to others who need to feel the same love you offered me.

Love your “neighbor” on the cross next to you.

Amen