When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
There was a written notice above him, which read:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
This past Sunday was known in liturgical or "church" time as "Christ the King" Sunday. The readings this week are set to remind us that our citizenship lies in Christ's kingdom, and that our ruler is a king unlike any other.
The irony of today's reading, of course, is that those who nailed the inscription, "King of the Jews" above Jesus' head did not realize the truth of their gospel proclamation.
From "The Akathist Hymn," an ancient Christian hymn to Jesus from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, dating to the first centuries of our faith, and still prayed in Orthodox churches on the Fridays of Lent...
Jesus, King almighty.
Jesus, Master long-suffering.
Jesus, Saviour most merciful.
Jesus, my Guardian most kind.
Jesus, be gracious unto my sins.
Jesus, take away my iniquities.
Jesus, pardon my unrighteousness.
Jesus, my Hope, forsake me not.
Jesus, my Helper, reject me not.
Jesus, my Creator, forget me not.
Jesus, my Shepherd, lose me not.
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.
"Shepherds Rejoice, Lift Up Your Eyes," by Isaac Watts, 1707 and sung widely in the Sacred Harp tradition of the southeastern U.S., 19th century...
“Shepherds, rejoice! lift up your eyes,
And send your fears away;
News from the regions of the skies,
Salvation’s born today.
“Jesus, the God Whom angels fear,
Comes down to dwell with you;
Today He makes His entrance here,
But not as monarchs do.
“No gold nor purple swaddling bands.
Nor royal shining things;
A manger for His cradle stands,
And holds the King of kings.
“Go, shepherds, where the Infant lies,
And see His humble throne
With tears of joy in all your eyes,
Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.”
Prayer: There is no greater image of your love for us than the sacrificial death of Christ upon the cross. May we learn the power of humble service, and that true strength is always sacrificial.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
Tomorrow's Scripture ( No Blog ) Luke 23:39-43
Worship this Sunday returns to our regular schedule, 9 and 11 AM. Sunday School this week at 10:15 and every Sunday.
Adult Classes: Seekers and "The Frazzled Female" women's study, both meeting at the Ranch. Youth SS led by Jeff Murfree, every Sunday in the Ranch youth room, 6th grade and up. Pastor's Advent study in the Sanctuary -- this week, "Dealing with materialism at Christmas."
Children's Sunday School --- "Heartshapers," a wonderful new curriculum, and many thanks to the great teachers who are leading this exciting program for kids age pre-K through 5th grade. Children's classes in the church building, 10:15 every Sunday.
Christmas Decorations at the Church: Our CCC Team will be leading the congregation in decorating the church for the Advent and Christmas seasons, tomorrow at SOTH -- 2 PM. Everybody is invited to come out and have fun together!
1 comment:
I love the names listed in the ancient hymn. Although I find one of God's many names my favorite as well as the hardest for us to realize:
Lord.
Lord's are possessors and overseers of all that they own. And labeling God as our Lord implies the same:
That He is in possession of us (the easier part of the dual meaning) and that He oversees every aspect of our lives.
How many of us can honestly proclaim that we allow our Lord to possess and oversee every aspect of our lives?
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