We celebrate the Feast of Christ the King on 23rd November. It marks the final Sunday of the church calendar; the following week, we step into the season of Advent with renewed anticipation. As we pause at this threshold, we are invited to contemplate our King—Jesus Christ—whose kingship is unlike any the world has ever known.

Earthly kings rule through power, authority, and prestige. But our King chose a different path. He willingly embraced suffering and offered himself to be crucified for us. His throne was the cross, and his crown was made of thorns.

I recently came across a beautiful and thought-provoking quote that captures the drama of Calvary and gives out the message of the cross:

“One man died with guilt in him and on him. A second man died with guilt in him but not on him. The third died with guilt on him but not in him.”

At the cross, both criminals initially mocked Jesus. The crowd insulted him. The soldiers and the religious leaders joined in. In Luke 23:35–39 we hear the repeated shout from people, “Save yourself!”—three times in just a few verses. Everyone was carried away by the majority’s scorn, including the impenitent thief.

Yet one voice broke away from the noise. The penitent thief suddenly saw what others could not: Jesus was innocent. There was no sin in him, yet the weight of sin was placed on him. He suffered—not because he deserved it—but because he bore what we deserved. In that moment of revelation, the thief whispered his humble, desperate, and beautiful prayer: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) And the suffering King, even in his agony, responded and granted his grace: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

The penitent thief had no opportunity to make amends, perform good works, or prove his faith. He simply received the gift of salvation. He died with sin in him, but no longer on him—because the King had taken it upon himself. This is the grace of Christ the King: immeasurable, unearned, and freely given.

As we honour Christ the King and prepare for Advent, let us remember: Jesus did not choose to save himself. He chose to give himself—so that we might be saved.

May his grace lead us to repentance, faith, and deep gratitude as we follow our crucified and risen King! God bless us all!