Prepared Hearts for November 24th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

The lectionary texts for this week are as follows:  Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43. I will be preaching from Luke 23.

The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

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.’

STARTER THOUGHTS

This coming Sunday, we’ve got a lot going on. We’ll be celebrating the Hanging of the Greens, as well as Christ the King Sunday, which is the last Sunday before Advent. Christ the King Sunday has also been referred to as “Reign of Christ” Sunday, and all of the scriptural passages have to do with Christ’ authority in heaven and earth. This is a good week to check out all of the lectionary texts because the common theme is evident (which is frankly not always the case). In fact, Luke 23 seems to be the odd text out. The rest proclaim Christ’s dominion and authority, but Luke 23 describes how Jesus was mocked during his crucifixion. Why do you think this section of Luke 23 was selected as a reading for Christ the King Sunday?

The description of the other two criminals crucified with Jesus and Jesus’ prayer for those who were tormenting him are unique to Luke. The Lord’s prayer, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing,” has always touched me very deeply. As he hung upon the cross, painfully and slowly dying, Jesus prayed for those who were killing him and had a conversation with one of the criminals hanging beside him. How does this image compare with other images of kings?

Clearly, Jesus came to usher in a Kingdom that is like no other. Wherever Jesus encountered customs set up to separate and rank individuals, he was found breaking those customs and proclaiming that the meek would inherit the earth. What does it mean to today to declare Christ as King? What are the marks of his Kingdom in our world today?

As the last Sunday before Advent, Christ the King Sunday always feels like a springboard into Advent. Nearly every year, as Advent approaches, I begin to hear (as I’m sure you do) complaints about how Christmas comes earlier every year…about the commercialization of Christmas…how we’ve lost the Christ in Christmas. It’s a time of year when we (as followers of Jesus) can cave to the temptation of self-righteousness…judging others for not understanding the “true meaning” of Christmas. Personally, I’ve found that my faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t automatically make me immune from the commercialization, the shopping frenzy, and the overall stress of the season. Christ the King Sunday is the perfect time to decide what you can commit to during Advent. What prayer or meditation time do you plan to take for you and God? What devotional will you and your family use together as you light your home Advent wreath? During these dark days, how can you make room for God to shine some extra light into your life?

As always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections. Feel free to email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee