Father, forgive them

Luke Chapter 23

LUKE 23:1-56

23:1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”

6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17 **Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24 And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.

26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 “For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 “Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, ‘FALL ON US,’ AND TO THE HILLS, ‘COVER US.’ 31 “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

44 It was now about *the sixth hour, and darkness *fell over the whole land until *the ninth hour, 45 *because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn *in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was *innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, *beating their breasts. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.

And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Herod and Pilate Became Friends

LUKE 23:1-12

23:1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”

6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

“He stirs up the people…”

Pilate was never shy about arresting and condemning insurrectionists. In fact, quite the opposite, his brutality eventually cost him his position. At this point in Pilate’s dubious career as a minor leader in the Roman system, he had no doubt already been repeatedly reprimanded.

History displays Pilate in a number of ways:

1.      A harried bureaucrat barely holding on to his position

2.      A tyrannical governor intent on harassing the Jewish people

3.      A wishy-washy lackey who couldn’t make his own decisions

Some combination of all-of-the-above is probably correct.

He is the 5th Prefect of Judea, AD 26 to 36 — though some say he was procurator — however the “Pilate Stone,” discovered in 1961, is the only physical piece we have of Pilate’s appointment and it certifies Pilate was a Prefect, not a Procurator. The first Procurator of Judea was Cuspius Fabus in A.D. 44.

Prefects were military leaders and tax collectors with some governing authority. Procurators had more authority but weren’t appointed until after the death of Herod Agrippa — during the rein of Claudius. The Romans largely left governing subjects in judicious and theological matters to local authorities. However, the Religious Leaders would not be able to sentence someone to death without the Prefect’s approval.

Pontius came on the scene trying to make a strong-arm impression on the Jewish people.  His first action was to bring all the symbols of Jewish power and authority into Jerusalem at night. Previously, the prefect’s removed these symbols out of respect for their subjects. The Jewish authorities appealed to Caesar to have them removed when Pilate refused to do so. Twice Tiberius chastens Pilate for similar incidents. The second being when Pilate coated his shields with gold and placed them in Herod’s palace. Philo recounts Pilate as a mean-spirited and stubborn man who constant feared the Jewish leaders would report him to Tiberius for his mean-spirited and abusive treatment of the Roman subjects.

The historian Josephus writes similarly about Pontius reporting his actions on more than one occasion to the Emperor.

Josephus also recounts the incident found in the Gospels where Pilate took money from the Temple funds to build an aqueduct [see the study on Luke 13:1-9].

Pilate’s reign ended when he surrounded a group of Samaritans that were persuaded to go to Mount Gerizim to view articles buried there by Moses. Pilate sent cavalry and heavily armed soldiers to slaughter the group. The Samaritans first petitioned Pilate’s overseer, Vitellius, Roman’s Governor of Syria who sent Pilate to Rome to explain his actions to Tiberius. The Emperor died during Pilate’s journey but the new Emperor, Caligula, AD 37-41, had Pilate exiled to Gaul where the prefect eventually committed suicide in Vienne.

Again Luke gives us a contrast in leadership between Pontius and Jesus. One reduced to indecisiveness by compromise with the systems surrounding him until he loses perspective of truth and right action. In all the canonical Gospels, Pilate plays a central part in the trial of Jesus. John gives us the most insight into the discussion between Pilate and Judas, including the conversation, “What is truth [John 18:37-38]?”

Truth [G225 Alēthia] real, certain, most right, sure.

It is quite possible that Pilate was asking, “What is mostly true?”

While Jesus was answering, “What is completely true?”

We cannot know about these nuances and I’m throwing this out as a possibility. Lies don’t come in varying degrees. A slight lie is still a lie. One doesn’t kind of lie any more than one gets kind of bit by a snake. Pontius was used to deception so it became his reality. He didn’t know truth because he was continually compromising it.

It is a slippery slope from kind of lying to completely lying. Once Pilate started compromising on the truth, he lost the ability to tell honesty from compromise. Soon untruth began to look like reality to him. Not only that, when he did hear the truth he began to distrust it. He was more comfortable with pseudo-truth than complete truth. From that point on, Pontius no doubt surrounded himself with people he trusted, people who were also comfortable with compromising the truth and people who would support Pontius’ reality regardless of its basis in fact. No wonder Pilate distanced himself from Herod Antipas of Galilee. Each of them had a truth that placed them center-stage in their world. Obviously that led to conflicting viewpoints.

Where am I on the truth continuum? Do I compromise with the truth or avoid people whose truth conflicts with mine? Do I move beyond themost truth and seek the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ? Do I distrust people who tell me the truth, especially if the truth hurts? Do I wash my hands of messengers of truth or stand behind them?

Jesus tells us his word is truth and in his truth we’ll find freedom [John 8:31-32].

·       Free [G1659 Eleteroō] to be exempt (from liability), to set free, to be made free

One can see the difference between Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate and Jesus; only one based his decisions on what was right and what would bring his people to truth and to eternal life.

Which leader would I want to follow? Am I the leader I would want to follow? Rather than compare myself against other world leaders, how does my leadership compare to the sacrificial servant leadership of Jesus [John 13:5-17]?

When Jesus came into the Upper Room it was the responsibility of all the people in that room to wash his feet. Ignoring this was a major social faux pas, bordering on insult. This was a deeply ingrained custom. The responsibility especially lay with the author of this Gospel — John the Beloved — because Andrew and he would have been the youngest disciples in the room. However, once they had missed the opportunity, every other disciple should have picked up the cause. Instead, each one of them had to personally say, “I’m too important to do this…”

Everyday we have the opportunity to wash Christ’s feet by washing the feet of (serving) the least if these. This is not a symbolic ritual that should be relegated to Holy Thursday services once a year; it is an action we are called to take daily if we are to lead like Jesus. Listening to the most ignored, embracing the least tolerable and inviting the least desirable to our table.

He sent Him to Herod

Jesus was a political hot potato to both of these leaders. Because of his popularity with the people and their fear of Rome’s swift judgment, both Herod and Pontius lacked resolve in dealing with the populace they were assigned to rule. The Herod referred to in this scripture is not Herod the Great, but one of his sons, Herod Antipas of Galilee.

We can only guess about Antipas’ demeanor based on the information we have. It was frequently said that it was better to be one of Herod the Great’s pigs — than one of his sons. Appealing to his Jewish subjects, Herod wouldn’t eat his pigs, but he would kill his own sons if he felt they threatened his throne.

Fear of authority would have been a constant psychological companion of Antipas. Pontius as well, as stated before, he was already operating on thin ice because of his cruel and oppressive rule. They were appointed in fear and by Rome to serve as lackeys — not as leaders.

When we appoint those who fear authority to serve our own needs, we wind up with people who do not know how to lead by justice or compassion. There are pockets in many of our institutional systems today that focus on authoritarianism; those who favor compliance over creativity and memorization over innovation. This is not a recipe for future leaders it is a recipe for fearful managers.

Pontius has to send Jesus to Herod since Antipas is the tetrarch of Galilee and Jesus was from that area. Both Pontius and Herod find Jesus substantively innocent of the claims against him and treat our Lord like a circus sideshow while viewing themselves as the ringmasters. Such men are incapable of sharing the stage, fooled by their egos to think history is about them and not about others.

We must be wary daily of such a mistake. Thinking that history is about us and that others are merely bit parts on our stage. In truth, we each have a bit part in God’s creation. This is why it is important not to compare our lives to other leaders — but to compare our actions to the one standard of truth, Jesus Christ. Again, we must shun Pontius’ question of “What is the best truth in this moment,” and push forward to Christ’s question, “What is the complete and eternal truth that will set us free?”

Hoping to see some sign performed by Him

Herod treated Jesus like a carnie in a Coney Island Freak Show. Instead of getting to know the son of the Creator, he wanted a song and dance show. Again Luke shows a striking contrast between the styles of these two leaders. Jesus refuses the temptation to be set loose by Herod simply by turning water into wine or healing Herod’s sick and dissipated mind. Satan offered him a similar temptation in the wilderness [Matthew 4:1-11] and Jesus had previously rejected Herod’s sensationalistic requests [Luke 9:7-9].

Are we looking for sensationalism in our lives? Jumping from one thing to another always seeking a sense of “new” or “better.” Unable to build excitement into the present? These were not the kind of followers Jesus sought. He sought hardy men and women who could stick with a vision through thick and thin. He was not swayed by the newest fad or “idea of the week.” He was neither precocious nor precarious.

Many leaders lose the respect of their followers because they jump from one idea to the next. Soon followers begin to disrespect the leaders and fear change. People try to block change on four different levels.

1.      Cognitive — they don’t know why change is necessary

2.      Emotive — they don’t trust change or the person/system introducing it

3.      Technical — they don’t trust the tools of change

4.      Visceral — The fear change because they have power in the current system or that system works to their advantage — regardless how it works for customers or other participants

At the first level, the follower needs more information. Leaders must attend to the type of information needed by the follower to move ahead. This requires listening, not just talking.

On the emotive level, things are more difficult. It is essential leaders learn about the strengths of their followers because each of us trusts according to our perception of the world. Action-oriented people trust leaders who take action. Strategic-thinking people trust leaders who have a long-term plan and stick to it. Relational people trust leaders who listen to their feelings and include others in the process. Persuaders trust leaders who listen to their ideas and allow them to share the vision with others.

At the technical level, people understand the necessity of change but are uncomfortable with the tools. They trust the tools they’ve been using for years and know those tools work. They are uncomfortable moving to new tools they never applied before.

Visceral people have found a niche in the existing system and change could mean a loss of power or prestige. This is the most difficult level to address because their ego is attached to the existing system.

Good leaders will find out where their followers are stuck and not jump ahead until they’ve addressed those needs. Herod and Pontius jumped from one sensational idea to the next completely disregarding the needs of followers. This is one of the reasons Jesus spent so much time in personal relationship with his followers exposing them to so many challenging situations. Jesus knows his flock intimately and doesn’t want to lose any one of them — even the most obstinate [Luke 15:1-2, 19:10]!

Am I a sensationalist-chasing leader or a visionary leader? Do I jump from one idea to the next or consistently stick with the same solid vision through tough and easy times? Do I engage and find out the needs and strengths of my followers and appeal to their necessities?

Now Herod and Pilate became friends

What brought Herod and Pontius together was a common compromise. They both collaborated in a collective farce and their friendship was based in covering each other’s backs.

On the other hand, Jesus’ friendships were based on unconditional love and a shared mission [John 15:13-15].

How do I pick my collaborators and friendships — around shared deceptions or shared mission? Do I find friends and advisers who will cover for my weaknesses and poor decisions or ones that will hold me accountable to a purpose?

Release us Barabbas

LUKE 23:13-25

13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17 **Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24 And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.

I have found no guilt in this man

There are quite a few contrasts between Barabbas and Jesus.

·       Bar-Abba means “son of the father” and Jesus was also the Son of the Father

·       Barabbas was a murderer and insurrectionist — we might call him a terrorist today. There were plenty of reasons that Herod and Pontius would find him guilty of crimes worthy of death. On that topic however, I must say there is no contemporary research indicating a death sentence reduces violent crime.

·       In the movie, Jesus of Nazareth, Pilate is shown to release Barabbas knowing the man will commit a crime again and that the prelate would see him again in court.

·       Jesus was popular with the people for his works of mercy. A terrorist would not be popular as they killed arbitrarily, their goal was chaos and fear and it wasn’t a plan for political action.

·       Jesus is concerned about the crowd and seeks to prevent a riot through his silence while Barabbas is an insurrection who starts riots regardless of their impact on the gathered crowd.

Once again, Pontius caters to the crowd — a sign of his weak leadership. He is willing to condemn a man both Herod and he had found innocent in order to appease the fickleness of the crowd.

Matthew describes Barabbas as a notorious prisoner [Matthew 27:16] while Mark and Luke describe him as an insurrectionist and murderer (starting riots against Rome) [Mark 15:7, Luke 23:19], John also says that Barabbas was involved in starting a riot [John 18:40]. In Matthew’s version, the chief priests have to incite the crowd to have Barabbas released [Matthew 27:20].

Luke is the only Gospel writer reporting on Jesus’ mini-trial with Herod. This is probably to keep the trial in line with the prophecies of Psalm 2.

Appeasing the “squeaky wheel,” doesn’t bode well for any leader. It just teaches followers how easy it is to manipulate their leader. Pontius is ruled by the loudest voice in the crowd. Jesus’ stoic meekness in the face of their accusations seems to anger and even intimidate the Prelate.

A great leader, like Jesus allows his actions to speak for himself and knows that engaging a riotous mob in a shouting match will only lead to pandering to the loudest ones queries and very well might lead to an insurrection in which the crowd would then be in danger. Jesus, unlike Pilot, takes the wise path for both the crowd’s sake, Jesus also knew that he was supposed to die and so he allows the kangaroo court to continue.

What will happen when it is dry?

LUKE 23:26-31

26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 “For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 “Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, ‘FALL ON US,’ AND TO THE HILLS, ‘COVER US.’ 31 “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Simon of Cyrene

Cyrene is in Modern-Day Libya, it was the site of a strong Jewish community of perhaps 100,000 people. Tradition has it that Simon might have been sympathetic to Jesus and thus forced to help carry his cross. A movement started in Ireland and England named after Simon that involves “sharing the load” of the homeless and the hungry.

Apart from all the conjecture, there are multiple references to Simon becoming a follower of Christ and converting many others. His sons, Rufus and Alexander became early missionaries in the church [Mark 15:21, Romans 16:13]. Some also connect Simon to the “men of Cyrene” [Acts 11:20] who preached the Gospel to the Greeks in the early church.

The Gnostic traditions — recognized as heresy by most Christians — say it was Simon, through mistaken identity that was nailed to the cross instead of Jesus. The Gnostics separate the body from the Spirit saying that Jesus’ spirit died, but not Jesus. Perhaps this is why Simon is mentioned in all the synoptic Gospels, but not John’s. John’s Gospel was largely written to confront the Gnostic Heresies and the belief that John the Baptist was actually the Messiah.

Forced into labor, the march of Simon would have had him take the spittle and anger aimed at Jesus upon himself, sharing in the insults as well as the hatred. However, without preaching, Simon becomes one of the last followers of Christ in this life — the other ones being an inmate on the cross and the Centurion who proclaimed Jesus Lord.

Can you imagine, this was the trip of a lifetime for Simon? It would be like saving all of your life to visit the Holy Land only to wind up a hostage of terrorists for the entire trip and not being able to step out of the airplane cabin.

Still, instead of being bitter, Simon turns his energy into joy when he becomes a convert.

Do I convert my energy into joy and become a preacher of the Gospel to all nations?

What will happen when it is dry?

Once again, Jesus prophesies the soon-to-come destruction of Jerusalem. Barely after Herod the Great’s temple is completed (it took 80 years), it is destroyed.

Jesus declares his age the springtime and the age to soon come as dry and withered.

·       Green [G5200 Hugros] wet, moist, sappy

·       Dry [G3584 Xēros] dry, withered

Do people find my presence like springtime or do I proclaim a world that is dry and withered? Which is my approach to ministry? Do people grow when I’m around or wither and dry? Do I motivate by bringing forth people’s strengths or undermine them by focusing on their weaknesses?

Even in Jesus’ crucifixion there was new life in Simon. Right up the end, Jesus was planting hope and joy and leading through his faithful example.

Father forgive them

LUKE 23:32-43

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Father, forgive them

Even after being tortured and scorned, carrying the cross after a massive loss of blood, Jesus has nothing but compassion in his heart. He asks God to forgive his accusers and torturers. If Jesus can end his life in such a manner, can we also choose to forgive the many, lesser issues we confront everyday? Some people seem intent to hold on to a grudge throughout their entire lives for the most miniscule of reasons. The result is that it sucks dry our joy. Our world implodes when we do not forgive others. Our ability to be joyful and to share joy becomes impeded while often — the people we choose not to forgive — have little or no comprehension of our anger and have probably already moved on with their lives.

Why live in the chains of anger when we can live in the wings of forgiveness?

It is a choice we make daily until forgiveness becomes a habit, a temperament and a way of being.

“Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

First Jesus asks forgiveness for the gathered crowd and then he moves to inviting a criminal to paradise with him.

·       Kingdom [G932 Basileia] kingdom, sovereignty, royal power, reign

·       Paradise [G3857 Paradeisos] park, garden, paradise

There are two distinct terms used in this final interchange between the angry, taunting criminal and the one who befriends Jesus. The criminal, who advocates for Jesus on the cross, asks to be allowed into Jesus’ kingdom. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus differentiates the kingdom and heaven [Matthew 6:9-13].

·       Kingdom [G932 Basileia] kingdom, sovereignty, royal power, reign

·       Heaven [G3772 Ouranos] air, heavens, heavenly

Kingdom is the reign of God, it can begin and exist anyplace that a person follows God’s will. Paradise and Heaven are eternal places where God’s will is done continuously forever and always. The second criminal is initially asking if he can do God’s will and receive the reward of God’s kingdom. So as not to confuse, Jesus offers paradise — a permanent place of deep joy centered in the love and compassion of God.

Look at whom Jesus invites into heaven, a criminal in the death throes for his crimes of murder, the poor, meek and humiliated. Lepers like Lazarus, traitors like Zacchaeus, obstinate fishermen like Peter and hotheads like James and John — the sons of thunder. Foreigners possessed by demons. Women like the one at the well and the one who washed our Lord’s feet with nard. How comfortable am I going to feel in this heaven? Are those the people surrounding me in this life?

This story tells us not only who gets into heaven but also the attitude that will get us there. Though this man was a criminal and — in his own words — was suffering justly for his deeds. He also throws himself completely on Christ’s mercy. If we could get to heaven out of our own deeds, Jesus would not have had to sacrifice himself for us. Pride or haughtiness will not get us into heaven. It just creates a personal hell for us beginning here on earth. Those chains forge into eternal ones just as they did for the first criminal who chides Christ, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”

I Commit my Spirit

LUKE 23:44-49

44 It was now about *the sixth hour, and darkness *fell over the whole land until *the ninth hour, 45 *because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn *in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was *innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, *beating their breasts. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

LUKE 23:44-46

44 It was now about *the sixth hour, and darkness *fell over the whole land until *the ninth hour, 45 *because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn *in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

 “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”

The sixth hour was noon, the ninth hour was three o’ clock.

Jesus’ prayers can summarize the bookends of his crucifixion. From, “Father, your will be done,” to, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” we see the path of perfect peace in the midst of tortuous chaos.

My friends, eventually, this is how we want to end our lives as well. Confident we can commit ourselves into God’s perfect care.

Eventually, all of our lives will be “committed” beyond our care; dust to dust and to the grave. Imagine the joy of being able to commit ours lives with confidence to our Creator, imagine the joy of leading others, especially our own children to this point of perfect peace.

Yet, none of us will get to that point someday if we aren’t practicing those habits today.

Everyday of Jesus’ life began with a commitment to God’s will and ended with a commitment to God’s care. To the extent we also begin and end each day with a similar commitment, we experience a similar peace.

“Lord, help the bookends of each day of our lives become a commitment to your will and placing our life into your hands.”

LUKE 23:47-49

47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was *innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, *beating their breasts. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

When the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God

Whether we read this version of the Centurion’s statement or Mark’s version [Mk 15:39], the meaning remains the same; declaring Jesus innocent was declaring his claims to be true [Mark 15:39].

What is amazing about this story is that the man in charge of Christ’s torture and death would praise Jesus upon his death. Why?

First of all, we must understand this man had one of the worst assignments in the Roman Empire. In order to pull this duty — in charge of death squads in the remote region of Israel — meant this soldier must have seriously irritated someone in power. Secondly, this had to be one of the hardest men in the world. Romans crucified thousands of Jews, not just these three. This Centurion must have heard the screams of hundreds of criminals and “Enemies of the State.” He must have been one of severest men in the Empire and yet he “praises Jesus” upon the Lord’s last breath.

It matters not when we experience the redemptive power of Christ, it only matters that we do. In fact, how often is it that the worst sinner will rejoice more at the story of Jesus than the man who considers himself most self-righteous?

Here was a man with arguably the worst job in the entire empire, obviously intelligent and yet a prisoner in his own right. All too often I meet guards in our own penal system that are more embittered and imprisoned than the men they oversee. Yet, this man found absolute freedom for undoubtedly, the freedom to praise God is the greatest freedom.

When I have been unfairly treated, does the way I respond to that treatment lead even the harshest person not only to declare my innocence but also to praise God for my forgiveness? That is the threefold kind of life to which Christ invites us.

1.      Rich in purpose

2.      Rich in praise

3.      Rich in forgiveness

This is the life modeled in both the living and the dying of Jesus of Nazareth, Christ, Messiah and Prince of Peace.

LUKE 23:50-56

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.

And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid

Quick question. Where were the men? This is an incredible story about the power of love. The men had run out of faith and hope, but the women relied on love. Long after faith and hope had been shattered, the love of these women continued. It is as Paul tells us in his beautiful soliloquy on love [1 Corinthians 13:13].

Love is far more powerful than even our faith and hope. These women had no more faith. Their faith was in a Messiah and he was now dead. They prepared spices to properly bury him. Their hope had died with Jesus too. But their love continued on. They were preparing to care for him in death, as Jesus had loved them unconditionally in life.

Are we in love with Jesus? Do we help others fall in love with him?

I often tell teachers to love their students and parents to love their children. “You might lose faith in your students, you might lose hope in them, but don’t ever stop loving them (seeking their dignity unconditionally).”

And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment

Does this sound like the followers of a rabble-rouser? The followers of someone who sought to bring down the powers of Rome and Jerusalem?

Even in their darkest hour, they follow the commandments of their faith. They don’t see Jesus’ death as an excuse to discard their faith or to hate others.

Do I ever use excuses to hate or discard the tenets of my faith? Surely whatever excuse I come up with could not match the excuse these followers had to abandon their faith. However, because of their love of Jesus, no excuse would be enough to walk away from following their beliefs. Do we raise followers who love Jesus this deeply? Do I focus on helping people fall so in love with Jesus that they would follow his beliefs without excuses?