Christ the King Sunday (Proper 29) – November 23, 2025
“There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’.”
- Luke 23:38 –
The world thinks it is ridiculous that our lives are wrapped up in the story of Jesus Christ. After all, He died a spectacularly horrible death. How could He possibly give us what we need for a full and happy life? How can He be our refuge? The story of Jesus is terrible, sad, even disturbing and yet we look to the cross and find peace.
Why is this cross so important? Why would we choose to remember this moment of Christ’s life - His death on this day which is set aside for Christ the King? The sign placed above Jesus’ head on the cross called Him “The King of the Jews.” It was meant as an insult. How could a king die nearly naked hanging by a few nails on a cross? He is King because He died.
We celebrate a different kind of king. Jesus Christ did not have a typical coronation. The kings and queens of the world celebrate their elevation to monarch with grand parties and ostentatious ceremonies. It is such an important moment that they want everything to be new, beautiful, and perfect.
Jesus’ coronation was much different. On Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem like a king. He rode a donkey, surrounded by crowds singing praise to God for the Messiah. Just a few days later, He was nailed to the cross, because He disappointed everyone who had put their hope in Him. The followers turned because He was not doing what they expected of a king. Even His closest friends betrayed, denied, and abandoned Him. Yet, it was at the very moment that Jesus cried out and gave up His spirit that He was crowned King. On that coronation cross, He fulfilled the purpose of His life, taking the entire burden of God’s justice on His flesh for our sake. His obedience to God’s will won Him the greatest crown of all and eternal life in His Kingdom for all who believe. 

Christ the King Sunday (Proper 29) – November 23, 2025
“There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’.”
- Luke 23:38 –
The world thinks it is ridiculous that our lives are wrapped up in the story of Jesus Christ. After all, He died a spectacularly horrible death. How could He possibly give us what we need for a full and happy life? How can He be our refuge? The story of Jesus is terrible, sad, even disturbing and yet we look to the cross and find peace.
Why is this cross so important? Why would we choose to remember this moment of Christ’s life - His death on this day which is set aside for Christ the King? The sign placed above Jesus’ head on the cross called Him “The King of the Jews.” It was meant as an insult. How could a king die nearly naked hanging by a few nails on a cross? He is King because He died.
We celebrate a different kind of king. Jesus Christ did not have a typical coronation. The kings and queens of the world celebrate their elevation to monarch with grand parties and ostentatious ceremonies. It is such an important moment that they want everything to be new, beautiful, and perfect.
Jesus’ coronation was much different. On Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem like a king. He rode a donkey, surrounded by crowds singing praise to God for the Messiah. Just a few days later, He was nailed to the cross, because He disappointed everyone who had put their hope in Him. The followers turned because He was not doing what they expected of a king. Even His closest friends betrayed, denied, and abandoned Him. Yet, it was at the very moment that Jesus cried out and gave up His spirit that He was crowned King. On that coronation cross, He fulfilled the purpose of His life, taking the entire burden of God’s justice on His flesh for our sake. His obedience to God’s will won Him the greatest crown of all and eternal life in His Kingdom for all who believe.