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We end the year of reading through Luke with an unusual scene—Jesus dying on the cross. It’s not unusual in the story of Jesus’ life. It is unusual since it falls on Christ the King Sunday. Say what you want about kings—normally their stories don’t end with ignominious death. What has sacrifice to do with kingship? That’s what we’re talking about today.

  • What images and ideas are evoked in you when kings and kingship are mentioned? In what ways does Jesus’ story agree with or depart from your picture of kingship?

  • In the spring of 2023, the world witnessed Charles III of the UK crowned King. It was billed as being a “stripped down” affair compared with the coronations of his predecessors—though still quite spectacular. The challenge Luke presents us is to see Jesus’ crucifixion as a type of coronation. In what ways is God redefining kingship by having Jesus “crowned” on a cross? What implications does this have for us, as subjects of a crucified King?

  • Given the gruesome and terrifying nature of crucifixion, why do you think the cross emerges as the central symbol of Christianity? As symbols go, what would you prefer to a cross, if anything, by which Christianity is known? Why?

Next Step: Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians: I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. In what ways do you acknowledge Christ as your King? How might you live out a deeper allegiance in the future?

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