35 The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders jeered at him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37 and said, “Save yourself if you are the King of the Jews!” 38 Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41 Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42 And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!” 43 Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”
Other readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122:1-5; Colossians 1:12-20
LECTIO
We stand before the Cross today. Jesus is dying in agony alongside two criminals. The leaders are jeering and mocking him for claiming to be the Messiah but not being able to save himself. The Roman soldiers are also pouring scorn on this so-called “King of the Jews”.
In marked contrast, Luke provides us with a fascinating conversation between Jesus and one of the criminals. He is the only Gospel writer to record this life-changing exchange.
One of the criminals joins the taunts ridiculing Jesus’s messianic claim. The other criminal rebukes him. He recognises two vital things. First, something the Jewish leaders failed to see, that Jesus “has done no wrong” (verse 41), he is innocent and doesn’t deserve this punishment. Secondly, something the disciples were desperately hoping was true: that this wasn’t the end, Jesus would be returning and when he did it would be as King (verse 42).
The God-fearing criminal accepted that he deserved to be punished for his actions, expressed faith in Jesus and threw himself on God’s mercy, knowing this was his only hope. Jesus responds as he always does to genuine faith and cries for mercy, with the gift of salvation.
MEDITATIO
Pause at the foot of the Cross. Acknowledge your sinfulness. Rejoice that the grace of God is available to redeem sinners like us.
How did you recognise Jesus as your Saviour? Were you given a blinding moment of grace when you knew the truth like the criminal? Or has your understanding been a gradual process bringing you to faith over months or years?
Think ahead to when Jesus will return in power and glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Meditate on this glorious hope.
ORATIO
Spend some time giving thanks because Jesus took the punishment for our sins on the Cross. We too can receive forgiveness and inherit eternal life, and all by God’s gracious gift. We can do nothing to deserve or earn it.
CONTEMPLATIO
Consider your wonderful Saviour as revealed in Colossians 1:15-20. Read these verses several times and let them minister to your soul:
15 Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. 16 For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. 17 Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. 18 He is the head of his body, the Church; he is the source of the body’s life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.
19 For it was by God’s own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s blood on the Cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.
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