When two criminals were crucified with Jesus one mocked him and the other, no doubt seeing the notice ‘This is the king of the Jews’ above Jesus, asked to be remembered when Jesus came as King.
The popular longing for a king to save people from oppression appeared to be squashed that day. Yet it was only so for those who misunderstood the nature of the kingship of Jesus. His crown was a crown of thorns, his robes that of a shepherd, his transport was a donkey not a royal carriage, his kingdom not a country but the whole world and his power came not from conquering countries but by winning hearts through service.
The Sunday Seekers, at the 11.15am All-Age Service on 20th November 2016, explored this subject and the meaning of Jesus telling the criminal, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”
