Luke 23:32-34
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today’s passage takes us to the foot of the cross. Read Luke 23:32-34 slowly and thoughtfully.
This scene is the shocking culmination of all the hatred and abuse leveled against Jesus by the religious elite of Israel over the three years of his public ministry. On this day God incarnate hangs impaled on a pagan instrument of execution between common criminals while pagan Roman soldiers compete for his clothing. God’s good dream for humanity has become a full-fledged nightmare. Evil is in full bloom.
But God’s dream is not permanently shattered. From the eye of this swirling storm of evil, Jesus manifests the heart of God’s Kingdom: “Father, forgive them…” Jesus refuses to answer evil with evil or hatred with hatred. He responds instead with love.
As you imagine Jesus on the cross, contemplate his teaching below, and notice how he displays the heart of God’ Kingdom clearly - even in the midst of the worst of human rebellion.
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” – Luke 6:27-28
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
“’Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’” – Luke 9:23
Now follow Jesus’ instructions and pray the prayer he taught his disciples to pray:
“This is how you should pray:
‘Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Give us each day the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.’” - Luke 11:2-4
Read Luke 23:32-34 again and then take some time to listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus want you to reconsider or do today?
How will you respond?
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