Luke 23:33-43 (NRSV)
Read Luke 23:33-43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Verse 34Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. Verse 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" Verse 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, Verse 37and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" Verse 38There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." Verse 39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" Verse 40But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? Verse 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Verse 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Verse 43He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Devotion
As Jesus hangs on the cross dying, the thought of him as “Savior” fades away. The leaders, soldiers, and others mock him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:37).
They even scoffed at him with an inscription over his head, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23.38).
To tell you the truth, most days, my voice joins theirs. Why offer my trust and hope to someone who refuses to fight back? What trustworthy leader will cave to false accusations and then offer forgiveness? A crucified Christ makes a lousy role model.
But Jesus is no “role model.” He is God enfleshed in human love. He saves us from the power of death so that we can be alive in the present. While we count the cost of people’s lives by the dollars it costs to offer health care, Christ refuses to accept the limitations we place on serving, loving, and giving.
Prayer
Christ Jesus, even in death you call us to increase the reach of your love, to live with more generosity, forgiveness, and grace for the people we least expect to love. Please Jesus, make us more of you. Amen.
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