Welcome to Sunday Worship on the Sunday next before Advent, where we celebrate Christ the King. Our Church Services today are at 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.15 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "At the Name of Jesus"
Today's Gospel
Luke 23: 33-43 Christ the King
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. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; 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."
Reflection
Today we celebrate Christ the King – I wonder what comes to mind when you picture the image of king. Maybe a medieval king like Henry VIII dressed in grand clothes to show off his stature and wealth. Or perhaps a king from a fantasy story like dungeons and dragons, resplendent in gold and silver armour with a bejewelled sword. Whatever you think of I suspect the image will conjure up a sense of majesty and power. Even our king Charles II is respectfully referred to a ‘His majesty’.
But this week, in the final week of the church’s liturgical year, we have had readings every day that focus on the last days of Jesus’ life and his journey to the cross. Rather than looking ahead to Advent, preparing for the coming of Jesus, it transports us back to Holy week,
Far from any images of grandeur and majesty, we have been reminded of Jesus’ last days where he was tortured and killed in ignorance by the Romans and the Jews.
They killed and ridiculed him because they misunderstood what Jesus meant when he talked about the ‘Kingdom of God’ – They saw him as a potential threat to their power; the Romans were worried about Jesus starting a rebellion against the Empire whilst the Jews, especially the Pharisees and Sadducees, saw him as a potential religious leader, challenging hundreds of years of perceived wisdom as laid down in the holy Book of the Torah.
Jesus did have a robe and crown, but these were marks of ridicule and the crown was a crown of thorns - yet another item of torture.
A couple of weeks ago we looked at how the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus, asking about the resurrection and how they were mistakenly relating the Kingdom of God to everyday life on Earth - a difficulty we all have , for none of us really know. In this scenario, we similarly need to look past the meaning of what it means to be a king in our framework of understanding.
We need to relate to the kind of king who is willing to be dehumanised, mocked and degraded, and willing to die for us broken on the cross. The Romans and the Jews were not wrong, Jesus is the ultimate king, Christ the King. But they were so entirely wrong about what Christ the King stands for and where his power lays.
He is not a king who comes to oppress his subjects with force and might, but a king who comes to serve and set free those who believe in him. To free us from our sinful ways and tell us that we can be forgiven. He shows us that true power comes from love and peace, not hatred and destruction.
At the end of the gospel passage Jesus tells the criminal next to him that he will be with him in his kingdom which will be like paradise. Jesus is promising a different kingdom, that we cannot yet truly comprehend. He calls us to be a part of that promised kingdom, with him. A kingdom where Jesus is the true king who rules not by domination or force but by gentle all-encompassing love.
A love expressed in his act of self-sacrifice on the cross to save us all.
When we confess Christ as King, we do not pledge allegiance to some earthly being but to God the Father, and we look to follow Christ’s example of service and sacrifice though loving one another. We look to share in his glorious kingdom by sharing his love and his values and spreading the Good News about a king who is willing to give everything to save those who follow him.
Paul
Our Prayers
Gracious God,
We thank You for the gift of Your Son,
who came to establish a kingdom of love, peace, and justice.
Thank You for calling us to be part of this kingdom,
and for the hope of eternal life with You.
May our lives overflow with gratitude and joy,
as we serve You and one another.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning"
Notices
On Saturday 29th November we will be decorating the trees for our Harvest Queen Christmas Tree Festival. Everyone is invited to come along and help – if you would like to pre-order bacon or sausage butties, please see Karen. The Lees Christmas Lights Switch-on with Leesfield School Choir and Santa is at 5 pm on that day, so why not have a full day of festive fun? The Christmas Tree Festival is open to the public from 12.30 pm to 3 pm on Sunday 30th November as part of Christmas across the villages, to coincide with the Lees Christmas Markets, so please come and join us to look at the trees and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, and we will be having our usual Toy Services at both churches. If you are able to, please could you bring a toy in new or good condition for families who are struggling to buy presents for their children this Christmas.
