Reigning from the Cross

A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. For this reason the image of a shepherd become connected to the kingly role in the Old Testament. Good kings,  like good shepherds, provided for and guarded their flock. As a boy David went from safeguarding sheep to defending his people, going up against Goliath. Later,  as a king, he brought together all the tribes of Israel, uniting them as one people. 

Jesus spoke of the good shepherd who left the ninety-nine to go out after the one lost sheep and bring it back. We see him do this even from the cross in his last moments. One criminal calls to Jesus to save himself and them, but the other recognizes Jesus is the innocent one who is passing over into his kingdom. When he asks that Jesus take him there, Jesus gently promises to do so. 

As we approach the end of the year, we are reminded that our own end will come one day. Let us have the confidence of that criminal we commonly refer to as the “good thief” and make his request to the Lord our own. And whenever that day comes, we can learn from Jesus how to face it: by extending forgiveness to any who have hurt us, by being compassionate up to our final moment, and by handing over our spirit in trust to our Father in heaven. The king will then surely come, gather us up in his arms, and take us with great joy into the Kingdom. 

Consider/Discuss

• Does today’s image of Jesus on the cross help you to appropriate the image of Christ as king? 
• What does it mean when we hear that by baptism we are part of a  royal people? 

Responding to the Word

Lord Jesus, remember us. Give us a share in the spirit of forgiveness you so generously expressed from the cross, the spirit of generosity that enabled you to turn from your own sufferings to comfort another, and the spirit of trust in your Father expressed in your last words.