The Kingdom of Justice and Compassion

Nov 23, 2025    Debra Alba

In this Christ the King Sunday sermon, Pastor Gary of Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, CO reflects on Colossians 1:11–20 and Luke 23:33–43, tracing how Christians throughout history have returned to Christ’s kingship in moments of deep uncertainty. From Pope Pius XI’s 1925 encyclical to Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians, we are reminded that Jesus reveals a kingdom unlike any other—one grounded not in coercion or power, but in compassion, justice, and sacrificial love.

Luke’s account of the crucifixion challenges every earthly idea of leadership: at the very moment Jesus suffers injustice, humiliation, and death, he defines his kingdom as mercy. Today, as the world around us feels fractured and fearful, this message invites us to refocus on the One who reconciles all things and calls us into a kingdom that lifts the poor, the forgotten, and the hurting.