The Coronation of the King

Sermon for Christ the King – Sunday 23 November 2025  – All Saints, Kesgrave & All Saints, Litle Bealings

Text:  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.  (Luke 22v42)

God give you peace my sisters and brothers.

‘Back in the Day’ we could always depend on ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells,’^[1] to be mortally offended by any change, or even perceived change, in our common life that upset the apple-cart of their routine.  Today their voice has been replaced by a more shady cyber-space character often known as ‘Karen from Facebook’^[2].  The world of Social media has become their Happy Place as each day much grist is provided for their mill.

None more so, unsurprisingly, in the world of ecclesiastical polity.  

Both our own Bishop Joanne and Archbishop designate Sarah have fallen under their criticism.  Not because they are women bishops, that argument has been raging for decades, but the manner of their arrival into post.  Apparently because both of them have chosen to be ‘welcomed’ into their cathedrals rather than ‘enthroned’ on their cathedra^[3] this is the end of the Church of England as we know it…^[4]

A senseless furore we may say.  However does a bishop come amongst us to rule over us as a monarch or serve as a shepherd?  On this feast of Christ the King, we may ask the same question of our Beloved Redeemer.  So, on this Last Sunday before Advent, when in the old language we are called to…

…it may make sense to look at how not only our bishops enter into their ministry as Shepherds of the flock of God^[5] but also how the Good Shepherd becomes Christ the King. How does the ‘enthronement’ of Christ differ from that of the Rulers of the Nations who ‘Lord it’ over everyone (Luke 24v24-27).

But where is the throne of our Shepherd King?  It is, and John makes this explicit in his Gospel, the cross of Calvary.  In the early days of the church this was shown in the decoration of our places of worship.  There was no space for the empty cross – the mighty symbol of the resurrection, nor for the crucifix – portraying the suffering He endured for us.  Christ on the cross was always displayed as Christus Rex,^[6] regally-robed wearing a crown of gold not one of thorns.

We worship a King who reigns from a different place to others.

Our question, so that we may learn how to be faithful subjects of our King and servant citizens of His Realm, is how does Christ reign and what must we do to imitate Him?

Today’s Gospel Reading unfolds this for us in four different ways:

Our King Forgives: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ (Luke 23v34)

We have a King who, even though insulted and spat upon, beaten and finally murdered, forgives.  This one quality, above all else is what should set us apart as Christians.  When we learn to be forgiving, especially without demanding apologies and forgiveness in return, we become Citizens of the King.  If we are, on the other hand, unforgiving we betray the very One who forgave us and end up as servants of darkness rather than Children of the Light.  For this reason we have not one but two seasons of penitence in Advent and Lent.  For this reason every time we meet together we have a time of confession and (thank you Lord) absolution at the beginning of our worship.  For this reason, when asked by His disciples how to pray Jesus says, ‘When you pray, forgive.’ (Mark 11v25).

We have a King who forgives – we are called to be a people who forgive.  Who do we need to forgive today?

Our King Saves: ‘He saved others;…’    (Luke 23v35)

Not only do we have a King who saves but we worship a King who saved others even though He could have saved Himself (Matthew 26v49-54).  This is what it means to be the Lamb of God, a sacrifice given freely for others that others may be set free.  

Not many of us will follow in these holy, blood spattered, footprints.  Some, whom we number amongst the Holy Martyrs and whose lives we remembered a few Sundays ago, have had that privilege.  But we who are called to be ‘Everyday Saints; ^[7] are called to offer salvation in different forms.  

We offer salvation by our example of compassion and advocacy in front of those challenged by hatred and prejudice.  

We offer salvation by our decision to not walk by on the other side (Luke 10v25-37) when we meet people who have been set upon by the too many thieves of our world; and then going on to spend our own goods for someone else’s healing.  

We offer salvation by our choice to not resort to a bout of self-pity when faced with the many small troubles of life but instead fix our minds firmly on the ‘pioneer and perfecter of our faith’ (Hebrews 12v1-2)

We have a King who saves – we are called to be a people who offer salvation.  To whom do we need to tell, not just in word but by deeds as well, the Good News today?

Our King is Innocent: ‘…this man has done nothing wrong.’ (Luke 23v41)

Even amongst thieves, as we are told and shown by the two crucified with our Beloved, there is honour.  The penitent thief, though he was more being honest with who he was than seeking repenting of his deeds, saw the innocence of Jesus and the injustice being visited on Him by his pain-filled crucifixion.

Imitating the innocence of Christ is perhaps the most challenging part of the call to follow in the footsteps of Christ.  Not for nothing does the apostle Paul, after looking at the lifestyles of both Jews and Greeks proclaim that ‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one;’ (Romans 3v9-18).  Searching our hearts we all know that there is darkness and rottenness lurking there.  How often do we meet someone, a fellow Christian even, and instead of love, envy and hatred rises within our breast?  This is even more difficult when we find ourselves of their hatred and prejudice.  But if we are even to be faithful citizens of the One who gave Himself for us we must, we have to let these things go.  We may not, almost certainly we will not, live lives of complete innocence but please my sisters and brothers let’s try to begin each day in innocence and with good intent towards others, especially those of the family of faith (Galatians 6v7-10).

We have a King who is innocent – we are called to be a people who, even imperfectly, refuse to set out with ill-intent in our hearts and aim to live lives of purity. What pet hates and prejudices do we need to set aside that we may stop doing harm to the family of faith and the world for which our King died?

Our King Remembers: ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23v43)

Thank you Jesus!  At the altar before receiving communion, priests were previously in the habit of thumping their chests with their fists three times and whispering ‘Non sum dignus Domine’ – I am not worthy O Lord. (Matthew 8v8).

And this is the whole point of the Coronation of our King.  We are remembered, even as we remember Him each time we eat the bread and drink the wine.  And we are remembered not just for a single moment but we are remembered for eternity in Paradise.  Everyone has a free ticket to enter into the joy of the Father.  This is not how the world works.  It is not even how the Church works.  Come January, simply because I am a Cathedral Canon, I will be invited to attend the welcome service of Bishop Joanne, I’m not sure that anyone else in our Benefice will have that privilege.  I hope someone does.  I know now that there is absolutely no chance of my attending the Archbishop’s Welcoming service – even though I make sure she gets her favourite sweeties when we are at General Synod.

Jesus remembers.  He remembers to welcome everyone regardless of whether they are a thief on a cross, a bumbling fisherman, a reformed tax collector (we could do with more of those) or even a Cathedral Canon.  How can we do any less?

We have a King who remembers – we are called to be a people who will not leave anyone out of the arms of love stretched out on the Cross in a welcome for all God’s children.  Who is it that we would exclude from this unconditional welcome and how will we ensure that this prayer for a church threshold by the hymn-writer and Bishop Thomas Ken will become the heartbeat of our parish life and our personal pilgrimage:

(Thomas Ken)

[This blog ‘The Coronation of the King’ is copyright © Andrew Dotchin 2025 and may be reproduced without charge on condition that the source is acknowledged] 

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The Coronation of the King

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

(Luke 23v33-43)

 

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^[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgusted_of_Tunbridge_Wells

^[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang)

^[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedra

^[4] For an alternative view of episcopal hierarchy, even though the journalist insists on using the language of ‘enthronement’, please read this article from my friend the Rt Revd Cherry Vann – newly installed Archbishop of Wales.  For the complainant’s view please check ‘The Spectator’ – please make you own search as I don’t really want to post the link here… https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/21-november/news/uk/god-is-not-in-the-business-of-hierarchies-archbishop-vann-says-at-her-enthronement

^[5] cf: the OT Reading for today:  Jeremiah 23:1-6 (NIV)

‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. ² Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,’ declares the Lord. ³ ‘I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. ⁴ I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord.

⁵ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
⁶ In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.

^[6] See the blog post below.  The Christus Rex at the top of this blog portraying Christ with an African face is kept in the Crypt Chapel at St Peter’s Lodge in Rosettenvile/Turffontein, formerly the guest House of the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield. https://anglicancleric.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-christus-rex-ancient-depiction-of.html

^[7] https://suffolkvicarhomes.com/2025/10/31/everyday-saints-a-sermon/