Lk.23:35-43
He was born a King. The wise men came from the East and asked, ‘Where is He that is born King of the Jews?’ (Matthew 2:2). He died a King. In Greek, in Latin, and in Hebrew the description was written above His cross, ‘This is Jesus, The King’ (Matthew 27:37) (W. A. Criswell)
Today we celebrate the kingship of Jesus Christ. It is true that no one really understood the kingship of Christ because his circumstances were quite unremarkable. He was born in a manger and grew up as the son of a carpenter. His mother was a humble Jewish lady without any royal lineage. When he became an adult, he followed the profession of his father. All these backgrounds remained a stumbling block to understanding his kingship. When he began his public ministry, he was ridiculed by the question, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” Is not his mother called Mary? (Mt.13:55) When he multiplied bread, the crowd immediately wanted to anoint him as their king. However, he never wanted himself to be so. We see in the gospels that he moves away from such occasions. He enters Jerusalem for his Paschal Mystery of Death and Resurrection only when he allows himself to be welcomed as their king.
The second dimension of his kingship that we see on the cross The crowd shouted at him saying that if you are Messiah, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Mt. 27:37) It was a litmus test for him to prove and proclaim his identity to the world. However, he accepted his crucifixion and underwent all his suffering with great patience. because it is through the path of the cross, he wanted to glorify His Father and establish his kingdom by shedding his own blood. One of the criminals who was crucified along with Jesus mocked him and challenged him to prove himself: “Are you not the Messiah?” Save yourself and us! (23:40)
The most moving scene that we witness on the cross is the dialogue between Jesus and the good thief. When everyone else doubt the kingship and reject him. Here, the good thief acknowledges his kingship. The good thief knows for sure that Jesus is going to die. Yet he prays: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk. 23:42) Which means the good thief got the insight that he is not merely an earthly king rather he is a king who could decide his destiny even after his death. Jesus emphasizes the majesty of his kingship, telling him that today you will be with me in paradise. Jesus wants him to understand that his reign is not a distant reality; it is already a reality because he is the Son of God. His death is not for himself but for humanity, so that he can make them partakers of his eternity. This is the greatest assurance of the kingship that Jesus gives us that we will all be with him to share his eternity and everlasting happiness.
“On Friday a thief, on Sunday a King … the man Jesus Christ laid death in his grave!” (John Mark McMillan)