Christ the King, Priest and Suffering Servant

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on April 07, 2022

On Palm Sunday we sense the excitement! Jesus made his way triumphantly into Jerusalem riding on a colt. (Luke 19:28-40) We join in the joyful shouts, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” The people remembered the “deeds of power” they had seen King Jesus perform.  

But the crowd soon forgot the “deeds of power.” Rejoicing turned to hostile mocking and false accusations, with vehement shouts, “crucify Him!”.  King Jesus was placed on a cross, between two convicted criminals. He experienced the pain of abandonment and derision. Jesus, in His immense agony, became the Suffering Servant. Looking down at the crowd He remembered how broken humanity was. With a heart filled with compassion, He cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” The Suffering Servant is also a Priest and King, merciful and forgiving, as gracious on the cross as He is on the throne.

The onlookers were indifferent to Jesus’ heart of mercy. But there was one convicted criminal nailed to a cross, next to Jesus, who looked beyond the optics of insults and derision and remembered Jesus’ words of mercy.  He remembered hearing Jesus’ plea to the Father to forgive those who nailed Him to the cross. He remembered Jesus’ consoling words to the weeping women at the foot of the cross. The convicted criminal, close to death, made a remarkable and earnest request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” What faith!! The dying criminal’s heart was opened to faith in a deeper life, and he trusted Jesus’ power and will to guide him into eternal life with God. In his near-death agony, the eyes of his soul were opened to the mercy of God in Christ. And just as Jesus remembered with mercy, those who nailed Him to the cross, the dying criminal believed that Jesus was divine and would forgive him his sins also.  Jesus, the Suffering Servant on the cross now also the Priest, absolved the criminal of his sins. Equally, with the authority of being Lord and King, He welcomed the criminal into God’s kingdom, “today you will be with me in paradise.”

The criminal though dying became a great symbol of Jesus’ Divine mercy and faithfulness; Jesus never forgets His promise, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32) As we approach Holy Week, our eyes turn towards the glorious mystery of Jesus Christ as Suffering Servant, Priest, and King. We remember with joyful gratitude, how Christ suffered, died, and rose victoriously, opening the way to eternal and abundant life with God.

Prayer: Suffering Servant on the cross, Great High Priest and King of Kings, please remember us. Never let us be utterly forgotten. May we always remember you as the One merciful, compassionate, humble God of steadfast and everlasting love. Amen

Tags: mercy, forgiveness, suffering, everlasting love, palm sunday, agony, abandonment, suffering servant

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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