Jesus is the King: Luke 23.32-43

In the church we go through seasons of thinking about Jesus. For a time in the early part of the 20th century there was an emphasis on Jesus as the Savior. There were campmeetings, evangelistic rallies and such. As we moved into the 30's and 40's evangelistic ministries were born like Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth for Christ and Young Life.

During the 1940's and 50's there was a real emphasis on Jesus as the healer. World wide ministries were born and grew based on the belief in the healing power of Jesus. Oral Roberts, who became very important in my family, came into prominence as many flocked to his crusades and reported miraculous healings.

I think of the 1960's and 70's as the Gaither years in my church. We sang all the Gaither songs; He Touched Me, Sweet, Sweet Spirit, There's Something About That Name, The Family of God and all the others. We performed all the Gaither musicals and cantatas. I even starred in the children's musical, Kid's Under Construction. But the Gaither song that I believe summarizes that period is The King is Coming. All of the Gaither theology has to do with the Kingship of God, but this one sums it up beautifully.

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready"

Every generation has been convinced that Jesus was the King. Each Christian era has been consumed with a belief that Jesus the King was returning to earth right away. Today is no different. Although there are many who question how soon Jesus will return, you do not have to work very hard to find large and vocal contingents who believe that prophecies are being fulfilled right now. They believe that King Jesus will be back any day.

Today, as we consider Jesus as the King, let us not forget that regardless of the date of Christ's return, this life is not the end. There is another world coming. Someday, maybe today, we will be called to be a part of Jesus' eternal Kingdom.

1. Kings can forgive people (v. 34). It takes someone with authority to forgive someone else. Governors, Presidents and Kings are the ones who pardon criminals or commute sentences. Jesus must be a King if he can forgive those who have wronged him.
2. He had claimed to be a king (v. 38). The reason that the sign concerning Jesus' kingship was placed on the cross was because Jesus had claimed to be a king. People knew that he thought he was a king.
3. There was something special about Jesus (v. 41). One of the two criminals realized that Jesus was different than himself. He recognized in Jesus a charisma, an attitude or personality that was extra-ordinary.
4. Jesus had a Kingdom (v. 42). The criminal asked Jesus for admission into his Kingdom. Only king's have kingdoms.
5. Jesus can grant admission to his Kingdom (v. 43). Only the ruler of a kingdom can set the rules for admission into the kingdom. Jesus is the only one who can control access into heaven. That makes him the King.

Verse of the Week

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23.43