Kin-dom, Kingdom, and Baptism: Reframing Christ the King

Gospel

THE HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

ACCORDING TO LUKE

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

LUKE 23:33-43

Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor

In recent years, some churches have been moving away from using kingly language to describe God. The word king can feel oppressive, shaped by histories of domination and hierarchy. For some, it brings to mind people forced to submit to a powerful ruler. In response, some churches have shifted from speaking about the kingdom of God to the kin-dom of God—removing the “g” to emphasize kinship, community, and belonging.

This shift makes a lot of sense. We live in a post-colonial world, fully aware of the harm inflicted by earthly kingdoms that arrived in places—including Canada—took what was not theirs, and exerted power in ways that wounded many.

But today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, and on this day the language of kingship stands at the centre. And that is not a bad thing. Because not all kings are tyrants. Not all authority crushes. Scripture gives us a different picture: God as a king who seeks the lost, heals the broken, brings justice to the poor, and leads not with fear but with mercy.

We follow God our King not because God forces us to, but because we have chosen to let our lives be shaped by God’s ways—ways of peace, love, mercy, and hope. We name Christ as King not to elevate power, but to declare who directs our lives, who guides our values, and who sets the pattern for how we are called to live.

And today, little Asher is being baptized into this way of life. Together with his parents and godparents, we promise that we will uphold him as he grows into the fullness of who God has created him to be. We commit to walking with him as he learns—slowly, imperfectly, and so beautifully—what it means to let Christ be the One who guides his choices, his relationships, his understanding of the world.

There will be moments when he struggles, just as we all do. Moments when God’s ways seem hard and the world’s ways seem easier. And in those moments, we promise to be beside him: to love him, to encourage him, to remind him that he belongs to a church family that loves him dearly. He won’t learn this life from a textbook or from classes, but by living it—and by watching us live it too.

So as we now baptize Asher on this Feast of Christ the King, we remember why this language of kingship matters. It reminds us that Christ’s reign is not about domination, but devotion; not about power over us, but love for us. Christ our King calls us to place our lives under his gentle reign. May we, and may Asher, grow deeply into this kingdom—God’s kingdom, where love rules, mercy restores, and Christ our King walks beside us every day of our life. Amen.