Christ the King: Forgiveness, Rememberance, In Truth

Luke 23.33-46

³³When 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. ³⁴Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’^* And they cast lots to divide his clothing. ³⁵And 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!’ ³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ ³⁸There was also an inscription over him,^* ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding^* him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?^* Save yourself and us!’ ⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ ⁴²Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into^* your kingdom.’ ⁴³He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land^* until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵while the sun’s light failed;^* and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last.

Father forgive them:

For the suffering they cause,
For the hate they fester,
For the torment they induce.

Father forgive us:

For the pain we cause,
For the actions and words we fail that divide,
For the selfishness we let guide us.

Father forgive me:

For the times I don’t see you at work in my life,
For the ways I complain and judge,
For the pride that is sinful.

Father forgive me:

For the ways in which I don’t include others,
For the lack of respect and reverence that can arise in me,
For the times I hold grudges and don’t forgive.

Father forgive them, forgive us, forgive me.

Jesus remember me:

When I am trapped in my sinful ways,
When I do not love as I should,
When I do not walk in your light.

Jesus remember me:

When fears seem great,
When my trust in you is tested,
When my uncertainty consumes me.

Jesus remember me:

When tears fill my eyes,
When laughter echoes out of me,
When peace settles in my heart.

Jesus remember me:

When I serve in your name,
When I extend a helping hand,
When I express your love.

Jesus remember me:

For I am yours,
For I live and move and be in you,
For I rely on the grace of your cross and resurrection.

Jesus remember them, remember us,

remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Truly I tell you:

You are loved,
You are precious,
You are mine.

Truly I tell you:

You are loved,
You are forgiven,
You are holy.

Truly I tell you:

You are loved,
You are a gift,
You are with me.

Truly I tell you:

I walk with you,
I know your hurts and pains,
I know your joys and hopes.

Truly I tell you:

I lived for everyone,
I died for your freedom,
I live still for love is stronger than death.

Truly I tell you today, tomorrow and always I am with you

and one day you will be with me in paradise.

Christ the King reign in our lives.

Christ the King reign in our heart.

Christ the King reign in our communities.

Amen.