I got to join St. Paul's Baptist Church this morning in Philly, and had the pleasure of hearing Rev. Leslie Callahan bring the fire. It's the last Sunday of the Christian year, when we celebrate #ChristTheKing Sunday right before Advent/Christmas...

Rev. Leslie Callahan reminded us that the crowning of Christ as King was not like the Coronation of Caesar and the Empire. The Coronation of Christ has a cross, not a throne, at the center of the story. His crown was made... not of gold, but of thorns.

Referring to the hymn "Crown Him With Many Crowns," @fifthpastor said: "You can crown him many crowns... but not with ANY crown." We've tried to crown Jesus with crowns predicated on violence, patriarchy & oppression. And some reject Christ because of the crowns we put on him.

The religious leaders, the soldiers, the criminals next to him, are all telling Jesus to save himself...
We're reminded that's what most Kings do:
THEY SAVE THEMSELVES.

But this King came to save everyone else, by giving himself away. #ChristTheKing Sunday w/ @fifthpastor