Luke 23:35-43
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.
As your read Luke 23:35-43, remember that Jesus is now impaled on a Roman cross. Imagine the facial expressions of the various onlookers.
Among the people at this execution there are at least three different reactions.
The curious: Though we know there were a handful of faithful followers present, most of the onlookers at this execution are simply watching out of morbid curiosity. They may have witnessed a healing or heard about Jesus’ miracles and wondered if he might be the Savior they were hoping for. But they never put their faith in him. Still unconvinced, they watch to see if anything out of the ordinary will happen.
The scoffers: In spite of their extensive knowledge of Scriptures, the religious leaders were blind to the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messiah. They remained unconvinced even when Jesus demonstrated the inbreaking of God’s Kingdom through miraculous signs. Their stubborn unbelief became a deep-rooted cynicism that led them to hunt Jesus down and demand his death. As they watch him die, they hurl their miserable scorn at the one who could have given them true life.
The mockers: The Roman soldiers may or may not have heard about Jesus, but they are used to watching people die in the agony of crucifixion. They see the sign above his head, and they find it greatly amusing that this person, into whose hands and feet they so easily drove the spikes, could ever have convinced anyone that he was a king. Without a shred of mercy or compassion, these executioners cruelly mock the suffering one before them.
Take a moment to become still and let your thoughts settle. Then contemplate how humans, created in the image of God, could end up either curious but unconvinced, stubborn in spite of the signs, or unfeeling and cruel in the face of suffering. Talk openly with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 23:35-43 again.
The criminals on either side of Jesus have two very different reactions to him that characterize the choices available to everyone.
The first criminal is aligned with the religious leaders in his refusal to see what is right before him. Even as he dies, he lashes out at Jesus in anger and challenges him to prove himself. The hardness of this criminal’s heart keeps him imprisoned in his unbelief.
The second criminal recognizes who Jesus is and responds in radical faith. He sees that Jesus is dying, but he believes that somehow Jesus will prevail. Because this criminal recognizes the poverty of his own spirit and believes that Jesus holds the key to life and freedom, he is welcomed by Jesus into God’s Kingdom.
As you end this time of reflection, get quiet and let Jesus speak to you through the reactions of the people in this passage.
Is there something Jesus is inviting you to do today?
Will you?
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