Sermon: Christ the King

Preacher:

Paul Thompson

Date:

Sunday 23rd November 2025

Venue:

Guildford Cathedral

Service:

9.45 Cathedral Eucharist

Homily: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

During the dark days of the Blitz in the 1940s, London was under constant threat of bombing. When it was suggested that Queen Elizabeth and her two daughters—Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret—should flee to safety in North America, her reply was resolute:

“The children will not leave unless I do; I shall not leave unless their father does; and the king will not leave the country in any circumstances whatever.”

The King, George VI had decided to stay put with his people—to share their hardships, fears, and suffering. The Queen, too, felt it was her duty to walk among those who had lost everything. She visited bombed-out neighbourhoods and spent time chatting to and comforting survivors. Buckingham Palace itself was struck by enemy bombing, and she was reported to have said that she finally felt she could “look the East End in the face.”

Those people who had once thought of the King and Queen as distant figures of privilege, now came to see them differently—as companions who chose to suffer with their people, rather than escape danger.

By their very presence, they had earned the respect and affection of those they served.

Leaders of nations, whatever their status, will often decide how they are to relate to those they govern. And those who are governed will decide how they are to respond to those who wield power over them.

In today’s Gospel reading, we are shown both—the choices of those who hold power over Jesus, and the response of those who, like him, suffer under that power.

We look at Jesus, the Son of Man, in a most vulnerable and painful moment—nailed to a wooden cross between two criminals. Stripped, beaten, and dying, and facing the mockery of the crowd.

The religious leaders sneer, the soldiers jeer, and even one of the condemned joins in their taunts. But ironically, all their words are true: Jesus is the Messiah, is the Chosen One, is the King of the Jews.

Yet they twist that fundamental truth into cruelty, mocking the very one who could have saved himself—but chose instead to save others.

And then, amid all the noise, the other criminal speaks. Somehow, in the midst of chaos and his own pain he recognizes something deeper in Jesus—an authority that is not of this world. Perhaps he has heard Jesus’ words of forgiveness earlier:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

This criminal cannot undo his past or repair the harm he has previously caused. It is too late for that. But he dares to hope that forgiveness might still be possible. And so he utters one of the simplest and most profound prayers in all of Scripture:

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

In that moment, Jesus—broken, bleeding, —responds with mercy and love that reaches beyond death. The suffering servant, the Son of Man, the forgiving Son of God, and the King whose kingdom welcomes all who turn to him in faith.

Saint Paul reminds us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” In him, we see the very heart of God and the relationship God desires to have with each of us.

Jesus, the Son of Man, knows what it means to be human. He has felt hunger and weariness, joy and sorrow, fear and pain. He does not always spare us our own lives from any suffering—but he walks with us through it. He is our companion and brother, assuring us that we are never alone.

Jesus, the Son of God, reveals the love and mercy of the Father. He shows us a God who longs to be reconciled with us his children—whatever the cost. Even as he dies, he remains true to love, offering forgiveness to those who harm him and hope to those who trust him.

Jesus, Christ the King, reigns over all creation. His kingdom is not built on power or fear, but on justice, peace, and compassion. His reign is eternal and unshakable—the firm foundation for our faith and hope, especially in times of any fear or doubt.

On this feast of Christ the King, we celebrate the heavenly reign of Christ. Our Christian belief in eternal life, is based on the belief that the Jesus who walked the earth now reigns in heaven, the universe is under his control.

Because Christ is king, we have a place in the kingdom of God forever.

We are encouraged to pause, to gaze upon the cross—not as a symbol of defeat, but as the throne of Jesus our King.

Here we see both the depth of his humanity and the glory of his divinity.

Here we find a ruler who chooses not to rule from afar, but to stand beside his people in their suffering, and never running away.
Here we hear again the promise that echoes through time:

“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Amen.