Where does one look to find a King? – There are many possibilities. Perhaps in a Palace surrounded by luxury – showing off all the wealth he possesses – or in a great castle – Crown on his head - with his soldiers and court all around him – perhaps on the balcony with crowds roaring– all seeking to pay him honor. – or maybe out on the battlefield, leading his armies to victory, conquering, and expanding his domain - showing his strength and power. A person with wealth, honor, and power – there is a reason people seek to be close to kings –
Where does one typically look for a King? Where they can find wealth, honor, and power. Even here, in the United States, where we may not have a monarchy, people are looking for who they ought to follow. The wealthy businessman and entrepreneurs. The successful politician who holds control of power in Washington. The famous actor or athlete who is honored for their achievements.
The first century in the middle east was no different. The desire was for a king that could conquer – win battles with armies. Many were looking for a king that could defeat the conquering Romans. – there were drawn to revolutionaries.
Others looked to the wealth, luxury, and power of Rome, and looked to Rome – It is there that a true king must be found - There was a reason many – including the chief priests - shouted on Good Friday, “We have no king but Caesar.” – Look to Rome – that place was there is Wealth, Power, and Honor – All there for anyone to see. – After all, Rome held the power to sentence one to death – to crucify all those that defied its rule. – And three were being crucified outside the city – showing Rome’s power and authority – apparently over life and death.
But there was a sign - above one of the three, there in the center, over his head - “This is the King of the Jews.” – A sign of mockery - There is no apparent wealth to this man – stripped of everything, even his the garments on his back. There is no luxury; nailed to a cross. There is no honor, as he is mocked for all the things he has said and claimed to be. There is no power, not even over his own movements, nailed to a tree – There sentenced to death by the roman governor.
Yet things are not always as they appear – The power, wealth, and honor of the Roman Empire? It is no more; no Roman emperor has resided in Rome for over 1500 years.
Yet it is this man, Jesus Christ, who indeed is King – not just King of a nation or the world – but King of the Universe – That man of no apparent wealth on the cross? – it is through him that all things were made – “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,” it is to whom all things belong. The wealth of Rome is gone – but that which lasts – that which is eternal – well, that is found in Christ, King of the Universe
And Christ’s apparent lack of honor? Yes, he was mocked on the cross as he was killed as a common criminal – but now Christ seated at the right hand of God the father in heaven – It is Christ who “is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.” The Roman Empire is no more – Rome today is known for being the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ – Christ is King of the universe.
As Christ was killed, it seemed that he was powerless; it appeared to be the empire that had power over life and death – but it was Christ that rose from the dead, showing that it was not the end. And not just physical but spiritual death, for by his death and resurrection, he has defeated the grip of sin. It is only through Christ that “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Christ, King of the Universe.
Where one looks for a King? Where will one genuinely see one? – These can be very different places. In the 1st century, it was to Rome that people looked to find a King – it seemed they had everything – but in the end, it was empty – The true King was there on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem. – There with a mocking sign over his head, yet a sign that understanding the truth – “This is the King of the Jews.”
And so today, where do we look for our King? – one who will bring out salvation? – it is easy to look to Washington and the political power. Or to New York and the wealth of Wall Street - or to Los Angeles and the fame of Hollywood – yet there is to true King to be found there – to salvation from what truly ails us – the sting of sin and death
Instead, we find the True King – the one who brings salvation and forgiveness there on a Cross two thousand years ago – there hanging on a cross – dying for us – It is Christ who has “delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Christ was crucified with two Criminals – One joined the crowd in mocking Christ – the other recognized who the true King was –that Jesus – on the cross as a common criminal – was indeed the King of the Universe– It was his request that “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – to which he heard the response – “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
We, too, are looking for the King – can we recognize Christ, the King of the Universe, and with criminals crucified with Christ, turn to Jesus to follow. – Found here on this altar at Mass? His kingdom seen on earth in his Church? - If we look to Christ, just as the criminal on the cross, we too, one day, may hear from Christ, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” – For Christ truly is King - not just King of a nation or the world – but King of the Universe.