"No King! No King! The True King Was Glorified At The Cross.”

In Jesus Holy Name November 23,2025

Text: John 17:3-5 Christ the King Sunday Redeemer

“No King! No king! The true King was Glorified at the Cross.”

On October 18, more than 7 million Americans rose up at more than 2,700 events in all 50 states, DC, and cities worldwide to say: America has no kings, ... On this Christ the King Sunday, I agree we remember that the true King of the Universe is Jesus. This is “Christ the King” Sunday which concludes the year of Reading the gospel lessons from the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel lesson chosen for Christ the King Sunday finds Jesus on the way to the cross not one I would have chosen but the ancient church has. Simon of Cyrene has Already been drafted to carry His cross.

It’s Friday, but on the previous evening at Passover Jesus prayed with His disciples. It is one of the most astounding proofs of His true kingship. Jesus prayed: “Father the time has come to Glorify your Son.. “(You have given me authority over all people so that I might grant those who believe eternal life) “ And now Father glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.”

Leonard Sweet in his book: “Jesus, A Theoraphy” writes: The Jesus story does not begin in Bethlehem nor Nazareth. It begins in the dateless past, before angels and atoms. To consider that Jesus existed before the world and time began, is mind boggling. We grope for words to express the inexpressible. There is no “before” nor “after” until there is creation. I have always wondered why his crucifixion is considered a moment of Glorification. A good question It doesn’t seem logical. Many see his death as a tragic ending. Many people see Christianity as a list of rules and God will be pleased with you if you keep them and then let you enter heaven.

God does not accept good deeds as the entry ticket. But He does accept the crucifixion of Jesus as the key to open the doors of heaven. Thus the crucifixion is an act of obedience to Gods plan to redeem fallen human beings. God demonstrates both His justice and mercy. Because Jesus came for this purpose, to live a perfect and holy life then to suffer and die for the sins of the world He is glorified. In his prayer Jesus said: “Father glorify Your name. I have brought you glory by completing the work you Gave me to do. And now Father glorify me in your Presence with the glory I had with you Before the world began.

Until He returns, we are the “light” in the “darkness”. In the great Disney film “The Lion King”, The King, Mufasa shows the vast expanse of the “Pride Lands” to his son, Simba. He then says that their kingdom is where ever the “light” shines.

As the story unfolds there is an evil brother named Scar. He is jealous and wants the power and thus authority over the “Pride Lands”. Scar attacks Pride Lands and tries to kill the son Simba. Under Sacr’s rule the “pride lands” are devastated. Ultimately Simba returns and defeats Scar. His coronation is the ceremony in which Simba reclaims the Pride Lands and takes his rightful place in the Circle of Life.

Don’t you think it is interesting how a great film, converted into a Broadway musical, still attracts so much attention? The Lion King is a classic Disney animation that understands the ongoing “cosmic battle between good and evil, between the Creator and Satan who stole Adam and Eve’s authority over the earth. (Genesis 1:26) The Lion King is a retelling of the world (The Pride Lands) created perfect by God, then challenged by an evil foe and rescued by the son, Jesus.

David Kupelian in his book “How Evil Works” writes: “”we do not understand evil, what it is, how it works, and why it so routinely and effortlessly ruins our lives. Despite the human race’s extraordinary capacity for invention and progress we clearly have a blind spot”….to the influence and power of Satan at work to destroy God’s creation. Scar rounded up all the evil hyena’s and together their violent behavior destroyed the beautiful land. We can see that violent behavior roaming our streets, just as Herod’s soldiers roamed the streets of Bethlehem late one night in their search for the child, Jesus.

The Jesus story has no beginning nor end for He is the Creator of all things. (Colossians1:15) John writes: “He is the Logos”, the “Intelligent Designer” of the Universe.” He is eternal. If not, He would not be God. The bible from Genesis through Revelation tells the story of Jesus, His person, His mission and His work to redeem His creation from the grip of evil. The Jesus story does not end at the cross in Jerusalem nor on Easter Sunday. He will return and restore earth to its original glory.