The Anti-Hero: A Sermon For Christ the King Sunday

Last night, Emily and I went to see “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” – the new film about Mr. Rogers, from the TV Show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” I cried for what seemed like the entire movie – it was that good. The film focused on the time when Mr. Rogers appeared on the cover of Esquire magazine, as part of their feature story on real life heroes. Of course, when he was interviewed for the article, Mr. Rogers bristled at the notion that he was a “hero.” But of course, he was a hero… his heroic deeds were just different from those in comic books and action thriller movies. His heroism wasn’t based on redemptive violence – beating the “bad guy” at his own game - which tends to be the typical storyline of hero stories. Mr. Rogers’ heroism was based on empathy, compassion, and  making people feel special. Mr. Rogers had a deep well of love – and he had the gift of sharing it with others. Of course, as an ordained Presbyterian minister and deeply prayerful person, the love Mr. Rogers had and shared was none other than Gospel love. It was the love of Jesus Christ working in and through him. The irony of the story was that the person who made the cover of the feature story on heroes was actually an anti-hero of sorts.

I know I say this sort of thing a lot, but the timing of my watching this film couldn’t have been more providential. Because today is Christ the King Sunday – the day when we acknowledge and celebrate that it is Jesus Christ who is the true king of the world. And if there ever was an anti-hero, it was Jesus…just read our gospel lesson for today. If you who have been coming to church most every Sunday for the past six months, today’s Gospel lesson should almost hit you like a sucker punch in the gut. Where did that come from? For the past 6 months, ever since Jesus turned his face towards Jerusalem, we have been hearing story after story of Jesus’ teachings…mostly through the telling of parables. There haven’t been miraculous healings or events. The Season After Pentecost – Ordinary Time – focuses on the teaching of Jesus. The goal is to use this very long “season of green” to allow these teachings to do their work on us, so that our faith grows deeper as we approach the new year.  

But today’s Gospel lesson is a shocker. We go from stories that are deeply challenging – both intellectually and spiritually – to Jesus being nailed to a cross, moments away from death. He is hanging between two criminals who are also being crucified, and being mocked by both his own people as well as the Roman soldiers.  And what does Jesus say? “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” After being unjustly arrested, tried, beaten, and sentenced to death, the words and actions that Jesus come up with are forgiveness. Not revenge. Not redemptive violence. Not anger or hate.

The inscription that hung over Jesus’ head read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Of course, this sign was meant to further the mockery by the Roman empire. In other words, “Hey Jewish people – this is what your king looks like.” Of course, the irony of the whole thing is that this is what lordship, kingship, power, and heroism looks like to Jesus. The anti-hero indeed. Today marks the lest Sunday of the year on the Church calendar. Next Sunday – the 1st Sunday of Advent – is New Years’ Day for the Church. We will begin again. Isn’t it interesting that today, our final Sunday of the year, is how we wrap up six months of parables and teachings? About six months ago, Jesus turned his face towards Jerusalem, and here he is. In today’s lesson, Jesus doesn’t tell us a parable…he is the parable. Here is our Lord. Here is our King. Loving and forgiving everyone – even those who beat, mocked, and killed him – until the very end. A hero indeed.