Christ the King - 2025
Sermon for the Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Andrew McLarty
When we gather on this, The Last Sunday After Pentecost, popularly referred to as "Christ the King Sunday", our hearts instinctively imagine kingly glory: golden crowns, shining robes, choirs of angels, and a King whose majesty fills the heavens.
And all of that is true—but the Scriptures today show us something deeper.
Christ’s kingship is revealed not only in glory, but also in love poured out, like an overflowing chalice of wine.
The Gospel of Luke brings us to Golgotha, a place that looks nothing like a royal throne room. He is mocked as “King of the Jews,” but Luke shows us this really is what God’s kingship looks like.
- Not domination, but self-giving love.
- Not fear, but forgiveness.
- While the crowd scoffs, Jesus’ response is, “Father, forgive them.” As a true King, Jesus shows that real power is exemplified by mercy, not retaliation or control.
And while one criminal chastises, the other speaks with humility and hope: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus delivers, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
This reveals the kind of One we follow: A King who remembers. A King who welcomes. A King who saves with compassion.
And if Luke shows us the heart of our King, then Colossians shows us the cosmic sweep of His reign. Paul writes that Christ is “the image of the invisible God,” the One through whom all things were created, the One in whom all things hold together. Everything—stars and galaxies, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth our island home—all exists in Him, and are held together by Him.
The One who forgives from the cross is the same One who spun the oceans, the primordial ooze, the oak trees, and you and me. The One who welcomes an imperfect man into paradise is the same One who is reconciling all things in heaven and on earth.
He is both infinitely, cosmically majestic and endlessly, mundanely merciful.
And that is why our relationship with this King is one of joyful humility. Not the humility of fear or smallness, but the humility of wonder, the amazement in all that is.
Paul says we have been “transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” We belong to the Kingdom where:
- mercy is stronger than judgment,
- reconciliation is stronger than division,
- and love is the final word.
Because no matter what changes around us, no matter what struggles we face, Christ’s rule is steady, faithful, and joyful. In Him all things are made and hold together.
As we close one liturgical year and prepare to step into Advent’s expectant hope, we proclaim again:
- Christ is King.
- Christ is our King.
- Christ is the world’s true King.
A King who forgives. A King who remembers. A King who reconciles. A King who holds all things in His redeeming love.
So let us follow Him with joy. Let us serve Him with humility. Let us trust that the One who reigns from eternity also reigns in our hearts, our homes, and our life together here at St. Paul’s.
To Him be the glory— today, tomorrow, and forever.
Amen.
