One of the criminals hanging there abused him. “Are you not the Christ?” he said. “Save yourself and us as well.”
But the other spoke up and rebuked him. “Have you no fear of God at all?” he said “...we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
“Indeed, I promise you,” he replied, “today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:39-43)

Luke 23:35-43

Jesus’ kingship is presented on the cross as a contrast between mockery and deep reverence. There are allusions to Psalms 22 and 69 where the just one is mocked, ridiculed and persecuted, but they insist that God will come to the rescue. Those who mock, argue that if Jesus cannot save himself from a humiliating, agonising death, then how can he be a king? This mockery continues in our day with people stating that God is not needed in our lives, although it may be nice for private devotion, but that God does not shape people’s way of life, and it is not for the community. 

The good thief, as he looks at Jesus on the cross, somehow comes to a deep insight. In Jesus’ presence, his heart is deeply touched and he recognises Jesus for who he is: the very one about whom he is being mocked, Christ, Messiah, Anointed One, Chosen One, and Son of God, with the royal power to take him to paradise. He cries out, “Remember me,” and Jesus replies, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” As Jesus dies, so Christ’s Kingdom begins. It is both present and future.

Paradise brings to mind the Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve left. There is a sense of coming from God’s ‘garden’, learning to love on earth, and returning to God’s ‘garden’. Jesus shows us the route to this Kingdom where he is King. It is not about hostility, domination, and violence, but about solidarity, mutuality and reverence.

Christ, our King, unites, leads like a shepherd, exists from the Beginning, and lived a full human life to set the example to follow. He serves, heals, and teaches. His example is of humility, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, connection, reconciliation, and love beyond measure. This is the Kingdom, a Kingdom we are invited into. Will I open my heart to Christ, our King, today, and each day on the journey towards being fully human and of divine union? “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Will I set aside the stance of mockery and diminishment of Christ, of God, in the world, and choose to recognise and receive the love that Christ offers me? Will I deepen my personal relationship with Christ our King?

Jesus is the embodiment of a new order, and now we are the embodiment of this new order, the reign of Christ. We are now the hands, the feet, and the voice of Christ. Am I ready to participate in Christ’s Kingdom today and each day? What is mine to do?
 

Jesus Christ, our King,
thank you for your deep love that overflowed into the creation of all your children and the entire universe. Thank you for taking on a human form to show us how closely God embraces us. Thank you for the example of your life and death to guide us towards intimacy in all our relationships, especially with our God, through you, and in the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
 

Reflections by Kath Knowles

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