the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen.
Harry Potter, in one of the movies, waves his wand and calls out: Expecto patronum! – which is Latin for “I expect my protector” — in other words, I want my Savior! (Or, in Harry's case, "I wish my mum and dad were here.")
Harry conjures an apparition of joy and hope as a defense against dark evil – by remembering, or imagining, the best thing that ever happened to him – in his case, the possibly false memory of his parents talking to him.
That’s it. No God. Just Mom and Dad.
Jesus is not that kind of savior.
And he is not that kind of hero.
The leaders scoff at him,
the soldiers mock him,
the first criminal abuses him –
all because he does not save himself.
The second criminal looks at the same man, the same one all the rest do – and sees: He is the King – and this proves it!
When, not if, you come into your kingdom, remember me.
Through the Cross comes Glory—
Look at what happens, look at the contrast:
they bring Jesus to the Skull-place, yet he promises Paradise;
they crucify him, yet he promises New Life;
they scoff, mock, abuse him, yet he prays: forgive them.
He is taunted—save yourself! if you’re the King.
Yet he stays. He is King.
Through the Cross comes Glory.
He lays down his life for his people—
as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep —
though they know him not—
they don’t know what they’re doing—
except: in his Crucifixion, not even in his Resurrection,
the second criminal sees him for who he really is—
and knows to call upon him, even then, for Salvation.
Now let’s look at who he really is,
who he is revealed to be,
in light of the Cross, the King—
all that Zechariah proclaims,
all that Paul promises—
is here in this moment of humiliation –
that is a moment of glory;
of pain, of loss of life— and yet of light and life and hope— even joy.
Paul says it: I rejoice in the Cross of Christ.
It is no longer I who live but him only— in me.
In him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
God chose to be God-with-us, Immanuel:
to take on flesh and walk among us,
to accept Death at the hands of sinners—
who did not realize what they were doing—
all this so that we could be redeemed—
and the world could come to know its true ruler:
in him we find peace and true fulfillment.
In him – in following him, in accepting his endurance of the Cross – we come to share in his hope, the Resurrection, too.
It’s a mystery, that, not like in the movies, true salvation comes not through rescue but through – grace.
True life comes through the Cross to us, in him—
What do we do with this? How do we glory in the Cross of Christ?
First, by giving thanks—
by sharing in the meal that remembers his gift of life to us and to all creatures— by sharing the good things of this earth as they come to us.
By bearing the fruits—
by producing the harvest in our souls— of the Spirit—
in joy, peace, patience, forbearance, charity, and true unstinting love.
By giving God the glory—
To you, O Christ our King and our God, belongs all power, dominion and authority in heaven and on earth. Come, rule in our hearts, and help us to forward your kingdom on earth.
You are the King of Glory, the eternal son of the Father; we give you praise for you have conquered the darkness of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
We offer you our obedience; we give you our love, and seek to live to your glory.
Lord, grant that your church may be an instrument for the coming of your kingdom on earth.
We pray for all who are seeking to bring peace and good will to the earth.
May your kingdom come: in us as in heaven.
We ask this in your holy name, Jesus Christ our Lord, living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
David Adam, Glimpses of Glory (SPCK, 2000).
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen.
Let the King of Kings rule in your hearts and fill you with peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you: and also with you.
Rejoice that the Lord is King. Serve the Savior with gladness and love, seek his will in all that you do, confess him as Lord, praising his holy name; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
David Adam, Glimpses of Glory (SPCK, 2000).
Sources and Resources:
Herbert O’Driscoll – 10:30 Service January 31, 2010 - Sermon (http://stalbansedmonds.org/worship/)
RS Thomas, "The Coming" (http://www.utdallas.edu/~jenelow/RS.html#coming)
2010 November 21, Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King,
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Canticle 4 or 16
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus Deus
Luke 1: 68-79
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
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