A KING WHO CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF!

Prof./Evangel. Michael Howard, MACS

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

"He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." (Luke 23:35-43)

Reflecting on Luke’s Gospel, a specific phrase stood out to me. Three groups—the rulers, the soldiers, and a thief—demanded that Jesus Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Author of Life, “save himself.” Their demand came from a selfish desire to witness the King display his power. They couldn’t fathom a powerless King; in their minds, a King was someone who lived forever.

For this reason, when thinking of the King of kings, Paul wrote these words to the faith community of the Colossians:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. Col. 1:15-20

After reflecting on Paul's words, it becomes evident why Jesus, the King of kings, did not save himself. This King doesn't need to be saved; it's we who need to be saved. As the embodiment of creation, Jesus is the source of our very existence. Even more profound is that through his willing acceptance of death on the cross, this King reconciles all things to himself, “making peace by the blood of his cross… whether things on earth or things in heaven” (Col. 1:20).

Think of a King who would willingly embrace death to bring reconciliation to creation. In this passage, the other thief alone recognized that through his death, Jesus would reconcile the world. It's fitting that the thief prayed, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus confidently replied, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

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