The True King. Christ the King (C)

Jesus reigns from the cross. He is king, but not in earthly terms. His throne is the cross, the worst place of suffering known to man at that time. He is king from a throne of suffering, of humiliation. In the midst of his agony, he does not think of his own pain or his problems, but offers salvation to the repentant thief. He is king because he can master his own suffering and think of others and do them good.

Jesus teaches us a new way of being kings. Not to rule over others, but to rule over ourselves. To know how to overcome our own misfortunes and emotions in order to do good for others.

Jesus shows us that the true king knows how to serve, willingly, to become a servant to others. The true king ignores the mockery and comments of others to do what he believes is right. The true king knows how to remain silent when words do not help.

Too often we fail to control ourselves. We speak when we shouldn't. We respond to provocation. We allow ourselves to be carried away by anger, self-pity, or selfishness, putting ourselves before others. Jesus shows us another way: to control ourselves and live true royalty, which is service to others without seeking to dominate them.

It also reminds us that we should attach less importance to worldly structures and political power. The inscription above Him had been placed there by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Rome ruled Israel at that time. Pilate had placed the inscription there perhaps to mock the Jews, as if to say, “Don't try to have a king. This is what we do to anyone who claims to be king of the Jews.”.

When Jesus was mocked by the soldiers, who could only think in political terms, He quietly lived a form of kingship that far transcended politics. He was showing us how fleeting earthly power is. Earthly kingdoms come and go. Rome, which thought it could mock poor, weak Israel, was powerful then. Now it is just a historical memory. But God's kingship lasts forever. It goes beyond this world: it reaches Heaven, which Christ opened to the repentant thief.

If we are willing to suffer on this Earth, to be faithful to God, we will reign in Heaven. We will share Christ's throne: “To the victor I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I have overcome and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21). To overcome is to be faithful until death, it is to overcome ourselves and not others, it is to overcome our pride in order to serve them.