Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

“If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  (Luke 23: 37)

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday in the Church calendar.  Next Sunday begins the New Church Year with the first Sunday in Advent.  Christmas is near.  The humble King is coming!

Kings are born in palaces or world class hospitals.  Our King was born in a stable where animals for sacrifices were kept.  Kings die in their highly ornamented bedrooms surrounded by adoring families and nobility.  Our King died on the cross surrounded by criminals and jeering crowd.

Jesus was challenged to come down from the cross.  He refused.  He was determined to drink the last drop from the Chalice of affliction.  What type of King is Jesus?  A humble Shepherd King.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23: 42)

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O God, You give victory to kings.

"Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."  (Psalm 144: 1 NIV)

God our Father is the Teacher of all mankind.   He teaches us what is good for us.  He teaches us through trials and urges us to accept trials as discipline from a loving Father.  (Hebrews 12 : 7).

He trains us to be strong, to fight and win as priest, prince and prophet.  He gives us spiritual understanding to know that all sunshine makes a desert.

Alleluia to our glorious Father who is our mercy and fortress, our stronghold, our deliverer, our shield in whom we trust.  (Psalm 144: 2)

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Your promises are more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"  (Psalm 119 : 103 NABRE)

Do you cherish the promises of God?  Do you know what God has exalted above all things? 
#1.  His Name
#2.  His Word

God's word, law and promise are all the same thing.  They never fail.
"The LORD's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over."  (Psalm 12: 6 NLT)

There is a word /promise for every occasion.  When the word of God meets the owner of the word, change happens.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"  (Psalm 119 : 103)

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Jesus wept.

"Jesus wept."  (Luke 19: 41)

Why did Jesus weep when He surveyed Jerusalem?  When you look at the state of the world today, does it move you to tears?  Or are you one of the crowd that is busy buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage, refurbishing and selling homes?

Jesus wept because this crowd does not recognize the time of their salvation.  (Luke 19: 44) Then Jesus sighed and said:  "If this day you only knew what makes for peace -  but now it is hidden from you." (Luke 19: 42) Jesus talks urgently of this Day, Today and not next week or next year.

The Lion of Judah, the Root of David who triumphed through His Precious Blood is coming.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  (Psalm 95: 8)

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Worthy are You, LORD our God to receive glory and honor and power.

"Why did you not put my money in a bank?"  (Luke 19: 23 NABRE)

Are you fully aware of all your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure?  Do not bury the gifts.  Develop them to the maximum or else deposit them in the bank where they can be used by more responsible stewards for Kingdom business.

Do you see your life and gifts from God's perspective?  Consider this:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jeremiah 29: 11 NLT)   This is the word of God and not word of man.  God is not a liar.  God is a merciful and just Manager.  He created all things and owns everything.

Take and receive O Lord all my time, my talent, and treasure as well as all my weaknesses.  You gave them to me.  Take all and use them for Your Kingdom work.  Amen.

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Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise.

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."  (Revelation 3:  20 NIV)

Jesus is standing at the door of our heart pleading for repentance.
The common message to the Seven Churches in Asia in the Book of Revelation by the Holy Spirit is REPENTANCE.
Whatever spiritual deficit of the Church, the prescription is the same :  REPENT!
The unique message of St John the Baptist is REPENTANCE.  The Prophets, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Amos all preached REPENTANCE.  Jesus Christ started His ministry by inviting men and women to REPENTANCE.

O Jesus Christ, the Amen, the Faithful and true Witness, the Source of God's creation come and help us to repent.

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Have sight; your faith has saved you.

“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 
“What do you want me to do for you?” 
"Lord, please let me see.”
“Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  (Luke 18: 35 - 43 NABRE)

Consider faith as sight. 
Consider faith as light that illuminates the mysteries of God.
Faith can also be seen as spiritual understanding.
Faith brings peace to our lives.  Obedience of faith brings total liberation.  You see God in action in everything.  Do you have faith in God's mysterious and loving Providence?

Lord, increase our faith.

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