Workingpreacher.org Sermon Brainwave

Join Rolf Jacobson, Caroline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the texts for Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday (November 23, 2025) - the final Sunday of the church year and Year C. In this episode, the hosts dive deep into what it means for Jesus to be called "king" and how we understand Christ's reign in a world unfamiliar with monarchies. They examine the Gospel reading from Luke 23:33-43, where Jesus is crucified alongside two criminals, asking: What kind of king is this? A crucified king who sees those we overlook and extends mercy to the marginalized. The conversation also explores Jeremiah 23:1-6 and its promise of a righteous shepherd-king who will execute justice, Luke 1:68-79 (Zechariah's Benedictus) and how it bookends the liturgical year, and Colossians 1:11-20's cosmic vision of Christ's reign. Key themes include: * Unpacking the language of "king," "lord," and "reign" for contemporary contexts * The contrast between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God * How Chr