Coronation Day: October 19, 2025

The King Who Didn't Save Himself: Finding Hope in Luke's Climax 👑

Hey everyone! 👋

Our church has been on an incredible journey through what Pastor Michael calls "Luke's Apocalypse," leading us to the absolute climax of the entire Bible story. This week, we dove into the heavy, but ultimately hopeful, core of the Gospel: Luke 23:32-43, the crucifixion.

Pastor Michael was so open about his personal process of wrestling with the hard realities of life—the grief, anger, and frustration—and allowing it to transform into joy and hope. That's exactly the spirit we carried into this intense passage.

The King on a Cross: A Coronation, Not a Defeat

This passage is all about seeing the true nature of Jesus' kingship.

Years ago, at the start of his ministry, Jesus read from the scroll, declaring his mission to "proclaim release to captives," "recovery of sight to the blind," and "proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." He then declared, "This is being fulfilled now!"

But as he hung on the cross at the place called "The Skull" (Golgotha/Calvary), people forgot the kind of king he came to be. They mocked him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself!"

Pastor Michael highlighted the powerful irony: Jesus was enduring the ultimate temptation—the power to save himself—but he refused. He didn't save his own life because he was aiming to save yours.

🔥 The big takeaway: Every act of mockery and shame—from being stripped bare to the sour wine—was endured because of "the joy that he would get" from rescuing us (Hebrews 12). Jesus stayed on the cross to pay our penalty and bear our shame, earning his title: King of Kings.

An Unexpected Act of Faith

Amidst the darkness, we saw one of the most beautiful moments of faith. While one criminal mocked him, the other rebuked him and turned to Jesus, saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Think about that immense faith! His own disciples were scattered, but this dying, guilty man saw past the nails and the crown of thorns to the true, coming King.

Jesus’ response is the heartbeat of the Gospel: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." This moment proves that Jesus is the Redeemer of the outcast and the sinner—it’s not about how 'good' you are, but simply about believing in his kingdom and his power.

Come and Center Your Heart

As Pastor Michael beautifully put it, this scene of crucifixion—meant to be a defeat—is actually a coronation. Jesus earned his seat on the highest throne by this act of ultimate, humble obedience.

We wrapped up by taking Communion, remembering that by his broken body, we are renewed, and by his poured-out blood, we are made pure. This is the truth our whole life is centered around: Christ crucified and resurrected.

If you’re feeling a stirring in your heart to refocus on Jesus as your King, or to give your heart to him for the first time, today is the day. Let's worship the King who loved us so much he chose to stay on the cross for our freedom.