‘The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.’ Colossians 1:15
Brothers and sisters, job hunting, we’ve all been there. Scouring newspapers and websites, trying to find a job we really want, or maybe just find a job which will pay the bills. Writing a CV, trying to cram onto an application everything relevant you’ve ever done, selling yourself without sounding boastful. Posting or emailing your completed application, and waiting for the response, hoping you’ll get an interview. And of course there is an interview, for, there is only so much you can tell from an application. The interview, and even trial period, is so important, because it is there where others get to see what you’re really made of. Today, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, as the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and is a time to recognise that Jesus is over all things, ruling from His mighty, heavenly throne. 2022 has been a time of transition from one leader to another; from Queen Elizabeth to King Charles; and from one Prime Minister to another, and so there has been a lot of focus on who has what skills for the job. If you like we’ve been—as a nation—looking at leaders’ CV’s and then studying them actually doing the job. In this context, then, perhaps it is a reasonable question to ask what are Jesus’ credentials for what is the top job.
First, then Jesus’ CV and for that let’s look to our reading from Colossians 1:11-20. On paper, you’ve got to say, Jesus looks perfect for the job, verse 15: ‘The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.’ If you want to know God, Paul tells us look to Jesus. Verse16: ‘For in him all things were created’. When we think about the world, whether it is sunsets, the vast species of animals amazing vistas or your child’s or grandchild’s beautiful eyes, all were created through Jesus. Verse 17: ‘He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’ From the beginning, Paul says, Jesus is holding everything together. If Jesus let go of the universe, even for a second, all would fall apart. Verse 19: ‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’ Finally, it is through Jesus—and only through Jesus—that anyone can find reconciliation with God. Wow, quite a CV, Jesus is far more than we might have imagined! In our search for the prefect king to sit on the world throne, it looks like we have a winner. But wait…what about the job interview?! If Jesus is ruling over the whole world, and making massively important decisions every second, and—as we’ll find out in Advent—is going to judge the whole world one day, then a CV is one thing, but what’s He like as a person? What’s He really made of? As you’ll probably know by now my favourite musical is Les Miserable. In the story there are two competing leaders. There is Javert with the perfect CV, but with the heart of stone. There is Valjean with the worst possible CV—having been locked up in prison—but a heart for people. CVs are fine… but what’s Jesus’ heart like? Is He a Valjean or Javert?
For our interview then, come to our Gospel reading (Luke 23:33-43) and let’s find out what this man with a mighty CV is really like. This is probably the most well known story in the world, the story we study every year on Good Friday and indeed other times as well. So we’re not going to focus too much on the nuts-and-bolts of the crucifixion, instead I want us to focus on what is being said; specifically the repeated refrain. Verse 35: ‘The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself’.Verse 36: ‘The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’’ Finally v39: ‘One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself’. We get this repeated call, ‘prove yourself, by saving yourself!’, this repeated mocking question: ‘If you are whom you claim to be, show us your power and save yourself?’ It seems like a reasonable call until we realise that by dying on the cross, Jesus is saving us. On the cross He takes all our sin on Himself, and pays the price for us, allowing us to go free. So in those moments on the cross, Jesus faces a very clear choice: Stay on the cross, or come down. Save Himself or save us. Jesus cannot do both. If Jesus dies on the cross we can be saved. If Jesus comes down He is saved but we are not. Over the years we have seen—time and time again—leaders put themselves first, and the people under them second. What’s Jesus really made of? As a king who will He put first, Himself or others? In this interview Jesus is called on again and again to put Himself first, to save Himself, and Jesus refuses. Jesus stays on the cross, He dies that we might live, and in not saving Himself, He saves other people. One of the witnesses who saw Him die, exclaimed: ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ Here is the leader, here is the king, we’ve all been looking for, whether we realise or not. Here is the One and only One who is worthy to sit on the throne of the world, for He chooses to save others rather than Himself. Jesus has a heart of love, one which puts others before Himself, and this makes Him the perfect king.
Why does any of this matter? It matters because Jesus is ruling now. Now amidst the cost of living crisis; now as our loved ones go through health emergencies; now as Russians fight Ukrainians; now as we remember those who have died! Sickness, war, death and all evil will be done away-with when King Jesus returns at His second coming, and as we look forward to that day, Jesus is the One who hears our prayers, so who He is, what His heart is like, is crucial. When we pray He hears us, and is on our side. He isn’t just able to help us, He longs to help us. He who died on the cross, who refused to save Himself, He is the One who is listening to our prayers, and so we can be confident of a merciful and loving response. So brothers and sisters pray. Pour out your hearts to the One who saves others rather than saves Himself, and as King of the Universe is able to respond. Why does any of this matter? Because one day we will all die and we will all face the King of the Universe. And this king wants to save us, longs to save us, has already acted to save us; so if we trust Him now, if we confess to Him now, we need have no fear, for the heart of the king is on our side. Yes, Jesus has an impressive CV, but what is even more impressive is His earthly interview, when He chose to save others rather than save Himself. I don’t know about you, but for me I think He is perfect for the job, which is good, because it is a job He already holds. Amen.(from Fr Mike).
All Saints Church Chorley 