November 23, 2025

Sermon Title:  “The Crucifixion”

Scripture:  Luke 23:33-43

(Other lectionary suggestions include Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79, and Colossians 1:11-20.

Luke 23:33-43

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. 34[Then 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.” 39One 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.”

          Today on the Christian calendar is called “Reign of Christ” Sunday or “Christ the King” Sunday. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent or the first Sunday of the Christian year. Not that these are important dates for Disciples, but once long ago the Church decided on these dates. My guess is that once you decide that the church year starts with the coming of Advent or the coming of the Christ Child, then you have to decide how the church year ends. So today we have the church year ending.

          If you were here last Sunday, you may recall that I said that you could look up WorkingPreacher.com. Another source is MinistryMatters.com or .org. Much of what I’m about to say now comes from the Rev. Matthew L. Kelley, and I found this on ministrymatters.com.

          He says, “Celebrating the Reign of Christ Sunday marks the end of Ordinary Time, and serves as a prologue to the festivities of Advent.” And he goes on to say other things, too, including the differences between Peter, who saw Jesus in the flesh, and Paul, who did not.

          In conclusion, “On Reign of Christ Sunday, we celebrate that God’s reign in the entire universe has already been accomplished.....” Amen.

Pastor Skip