Ringwood Knox Parish

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Year C – Last Sunday Of Church Year – A King and Kingdom Reversed

23 November 2025 - Year C - Last Sunday Of Church Year

Text: Luke 19:11-27

 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13 He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,[a] and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ 14 But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ 17 He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ 19 He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ 20 Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ 24 He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25 (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) 26 ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’”

New International Version - for other versions see BibleGateway.com

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Sermon - Year C – Last Sunday Of Church Year – A King and Kingdom Reversed

Pastor Peter Ghalayini

Today we celebrate Christ the King, a phrase that might surprises people when they read Jesus’ coronation as King:  This King wears not a golden crown but a crown of thorns. He marches to war but finds his victory by death on the cross. Who conquers his enemy not by physical force but by love and humility. Who enters with a parade in his honour not in a chariot but on a donkey. If the world sees kingship in power and dominion, then Jesus invites us to look again at the kingship that he reveals. A klng, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing.

He is King not having forced his way into leadership with spin-doctors and political donations, but by self-giving mercy; God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father  Not by status, but by service; not by the triumph of human might and weaponry, but by the victory of his love. When Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “My kingdom is not of this world.” If my kingdom were of this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from handing over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.

So Jesus admits that he is a King – but his kingdom is very different to how we perceive a Kingdom should be. It’s very similar to what he said to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night Jesus was arrested. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, Peter reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.  Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Even the crowds don’t understand – the one they wanted to crown as King looks nothing like what they expected: The crowd taunts him;  You call yourself a King – come down from the cross and we’ll believe in you. But one of the most unlikely people does recognise Jesus as King- a thief dying on the cross next to Jesus: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”, To which Jesus replies: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

That is Jesus’ Kingdom. Maybe this reveals that sometimes it is when we are in the depths of despair when we truly see God’s true kingdom. Isn’t that what Paul says – when I am weak then I am strong – because Christ’s power rests on me. Paul, when writing to the Colossians speaks about that unseen realm:  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible

The ultimate triumph of Jesus is not a political victory but the universal reign of divine mercy. Jesus is a king who reveals himself through love. Jesus’ kingship turns the usual tests of greatness on their head.  He wears a crown, but it is a crown of thorns; his throne is a cross; his sword is the word of truth spoken with compassion.  Even as we read Jesus sermon on the mount it’s all about showing signs of the opposite in his Kingdom.

Turning the other cheek.

Loving your enemy.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

 Blessed are those who mourn,

Blessed are the meek,

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

Blessed are the merciful,

Blessed are the pure in heart,

Blessed are the peacemakers,

Blessed are those who are persecuted

These are all opposite kingdom qualities in Jesus’ Kingdom.

So, as Paul says, his signs of rule are not to be served but signs of service—washing feet, forgiving sins, welcoming the outsider, feeding the hungry, inviting the sinner into fullness of life. So if we fully want to understand Jesus’ kingdom then it can only be seen when we participate in Jesus Kingdom qualities: With signs of service—washing feet, forgiving sins, welcoming the outsider, feeding the hungry, inviting the sinner into fullness of life.

This mystery we are invited to embrace is this: true Kingship is exercised in self-emptying love. True power is shown in mercy that keeps no records of wrongs. The one who is King rules by reconciliation, not by dominating over others; The one who is King rules by justice that heals, not by vengeance; by truth that sets free, not by fear that binds.

Where is the kingdom today?  Well, St Paul reveals where that Kingdom is today – He is the head of the body, the church; If Christ’s kingship is present, we should see it enacted in his body – the church: Where mercy overrides pride;  Where integrity and fairness prevail;  Where the stranger is welcomed;  Where reconciliation replaces division.  Jesus’ kingship asks us to examine our own hearts:

Do we live as if we were merely subjects of a powerful master, or as people who share in his reign by serving others? Do we seek to build up, or to gain advantage? Are we bearing witness to the Kingdom of love here and now? We are called to surrender our own agendas for the sake of our neighbour. The cross shows that mercy is not weakness but courage.  To follow Christ means forgiving as we have been forgiven, and offering mercy even when it costs us.

Jesus’ Kingdom prioritises justice that protects the vulnerable, the poor, the outsider, the elderly, the sick, the needy. Our faith moves us to work for systems and structures that reflect dignity and care for all. Christ’s Kingdom invites reconciliation within families, parishes, and nations. Our allegiance to him should break down walls, not build or deepen them.

We can do that with a listening ear, a helping hand, a word of encouragement. Showing forgiveness rather than harboring resentment; seeking reconciliation rather than revenge or working out who was right and who was wrong. In welcoming the “other”: the stranger, the poor, the outsider, we let hospitality be a sign of the Kingdom.

As this reversed King, Jesus seemingly goes against our expectations. Like John the Baptist – the one who prepared the way for Jesus finds himself in jail. He sends a delegation to see if this was the one he was preparing the way for. Are you the one or should we expect someone else – someone more powerful, perhaps. To which Jesus reveals his true power: He is the one who brought good news to the poor, proclaimed release to the captives, and set free the oppressed.

Jesus continued to defy expectations. As his life on earth was ending, he brought compassion even to the repentant thief. Here was our king: gasping, choking, yet filled with mercy as he prayed, “Forgive them.” To the one who was able to see the way God is at work and wanted to be part of his Kingdom, he said, “Today you will be with me in paradise. As our King, Jesus extends that same promise to you – you will be with me in paradise. That, is our King.