The King is dead, long live the King!

When a monarch dies, the cry rings out 'The King is dead, long live the King (or Queen)!' The person dies, but the office passes on to the next in line. They pick up the mantel of responsibility and a new reign begins.

We've seen that God's kingdom is all upside down, today is no different, as we cut into the story of the crucifixion.

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't your fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."Luke 23:38-43

A couple of things to note:

The King is dead: It should have been a time on national mourning. Instead it was a moment of utter rejection. Jesus, the King, died. He was rejected by his people (the Jews), condemned by the occupying power (Roman - Gentiles), abandoned by his followers, and forsaken by his father.

Long live the King: As he live, so he dies. He continues to show love to those around him. He offers assurance and forgiveness to the one who seeks it. And he gives a hint... this is no the end. "Today, you will be with me in paradise." What you see is not the end. I may be abandoned now, but wait till you hear the praise in heaven. Wait till you experience true life.

The king died. Long live King Jesus!