The Last Sunday after Pentecost - Christ the King - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr

 

Luke 23:33-43, November 22, 2025

Today, we are reminded of Jesus’ death. Jesus has just been hung on the cross for sins he did not commit. Crucifixion was intended to be a crime deterrent. They took place on hills, in highly visible areas. It was a punishment for the worst of the worst. It was a weapon of terror. It was a humiliating and painful death. For Jesus, his clothes have been stripped from him to shame him in front of the crowds. He is taunted and mocked. Above his head, a sign that reads, “King of the Jews.” Today, while we are reminded of Jesus’ death, we are also reminded that Christ is King.

We sometimes forget that when Jesus was hung on the cross, he was hung between two criminals. One criminal taunted Jesus, as the leaders did, saying, “If you are truly the Messiah, then save yourself.” The other criminal only had nine words to say to Jesus. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Paul Edgecomb is a death row guard in the movie The Green Mile. Paul carries around immense guilt. It’s not one thing in particular he’s struggling with. It’s a lifetime of guilt. He’s carrying guilt for the times he’s failed the people he loves. He wishes he had been a better man at home and a better father. As a death row guard, he’s responsible for walking men to their execution. Men, he believes, may be innocent. Men, he believes, may be redeemable. He’s seen the fear in the eyes of these men. He’s heard their last words. He’s even flipped the switch, sending them to their final breath. Paul carries guilt for things he should have done in his life, things he wishes he hadn’t done, and guilt from his career, thinking, “Maybe I could have saved him.”  

In the movie, John Coffey is a prisoner on death row. He’s huge in stature and appears very intimidating. He’s been sentenced to death for the murder of two young girls. As the story goes on, it becomes clear that John didn’t murder the girls. He was actually trying to help them. He was misunderstood and mistreated because of who he was – his size and appearance, his inability to articulate what had happened.

Although he had an intimidating appearance, John was really gentle, emotional, and humble. John also had a supernatural gift. When someone around him was suffering, he had a mystical power. If someone were sick, simply by touching them, the sickness would leave them and enter him. If someone had emotional problems, he could take those problems into his own body for a time. A wounded person would be relieved, and in turn, John would carry the wound.  

John’s power did not come from magic; it came from compassion. He cared deeply for people. He could not stand to see others hurt. He wanted to carry people’s burdens.  

There’s a scene in the movie where the guard, Paul, is sick. He was in terrible pain and had been for days. The pain was wearing him down both physically and emotionally. John takes Paul’s hand and absorbs the sickness into himself. The pain leaves Paul instantly. He stands up straight, takes a deep breath, and is relieved of his illness. John begins to cough violently and struggles, carrying the pain so Paul wouldn’t have to.

Paul is stunned. He knows that he didn’t do anything to earn that kindness from John. He watches and sees as John pays for the kindness in his own body.

The thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” These words from the thief are incredibly compelling. If you think about it, he’s making a pretty big request of Jesus, isn’t he? But he’s also very simplistic in how he asks. He doesn’t plead with Jesus. He doesn’t make a deal or bargain with him. He’s not denying that he did anything wrong. He doesn’t beg to be rescued.

What he is saying is that he believes Jesus is the King of the Jews. He believes that Jesus has mercy. He believes that there is a kingdom. He believes that Jesus does not deserve to be on that cross, while he definitely does. He believes that even in his death, Jesus can promise him forgiveness.

Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Could the thief had asked for a more beautiful response to his request? There’s no hesitation from Jesus. There’s no condition to meet. The thief has simply been forgiven. Now, the thief did not have time to live out a changed life on earth, but he was promised that he would live out his life in eternity – welcomed, restored, changed, and forgiven.

Jesus gives us the same promise he gave the thief, “You will be with me in Paradise.” You will be welcomed, restored, changed, and forgiven. What does it look like to live your life as a forgiven person? Each week, we receive absolution of our sins in our confession. How do you live out that forgiven life when you leave the church building?

In The Green Mile, Paul never hears the words “you are forgiven,” but when John takes his pain away and carries Paul’s burden, Paul’s life changes. Paul becomes more compassionate, more gentle. He becomes more patient and slower to judge. He never forgets what John did for him.

Jesus takes our pain away and carries our burden. How are we, who are forgiven, called to live out our forgiveness? Jesus calls us to live unburdened by guilt and shame. Jesus calls us to live grateful lives. Jesus calls us to live generously with mercy – to give others a fresh start, just as we’ve been given that opportunity. Jesus wants us to live honestly. Jesus wants us to live with hope.

Jesus said, “Today you will be with me” – no questions asked and no work to be done. Jesus takes all the weight of our sins onto his shoulders.

Christ the King Sunday reminds us that Jesus is the kind of King who welcomed a dying thief with nothing to offer but trust. And in our baptism, that same King claimed us too, promising us grace and teaching us to live every day like people he’s already welcomed. Amen.