Luke 23:33-43
The cross is central to what we believe as
Christians. It is depicted in various places throughout our church and
throughout society. Often we look at the cross as a torture device, as a
place where Jesus was crucified. Yet, the cross is much more than
that. The cross is where Jesus was crowned king. The cross is a
kingly throne of victory.
This weekend we, as a church, celebrate
Christ the King. This is the last
weekend of the church year. The church
year does not line up with the calendar year.
Next weekend we will begin a new church year with the season of Advent,
which helps us prepare for Christmas.
The church year begins with Advent and ends with Christ the King. As we celebrate this important day in the
church year we hear the text of the crucifixion from the Gospel of Luke. This text includes two powerful quotations of
Jesus and one from the criminal crucified next to him.
On the day of Jesus' crucifixion the king's
judgment is clearly spoken and expressed. Jesus enacts his authority on
the cross by saying, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they
are doing." He says those same words to each of us when we find
ourselves in times of making bad decisions and being led into temptation.
Have you ever made a bad decision or been led into temptation? We lie and
cheat. We take the Lord’s name in vain
and worship other gods. We hurt others
with our words and actions. We covet the
things our neighbors have. We often make
bad decisions and are led into temptation.
For those times when we know that we have messed up and for those times
we don’t even notice, Jesus says these words to us: "Father, forgive them
for they do not know what they are doing."
Jesus is on the cross between two
criminals. One of the criminals being crucified next to him that day,
joined the soldiers and religious authorities in their acts of mocking and
torture. The other criminal seemed to recognize Jesus' power. He
said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He
doesn't ask to be saved or rescued. He wants to be remembered by Jesus
and not forgotten. We want the same
thing. We want Jesus to remember us,
today, tomorrow, and forever.
Without missing a beat, Jesus says to that
criminal, "Today you will be with me in paradise." And he means
it. He exceeds the criminal’s greatest expectations. To this person
who has committed a wrong, a wrong that we do not know, Jesus promises
paradise. Jesus promises mercy to a sinner. Jesus promises
heaven. Jesus promises resurrection. Jesus promises new life.
Jesus promises to do more than just remember the criminal. Jesus promises to the criminal and to each of
us a home in paradise, a home with Jesus.
This gospel text drives home two important
theological points. First, is the importance of grace. You will
notice on the screens there is an acrostic for the word "grace" -
God's Riches at Christ's Expense. In Jesus death we are given the greatest
gift of grace, a gift of God that is given to us at the expense of Christ's
death on the cross. This is a great way to remember what grace is and
what a great gift we have been given through the cross. Grace that is poured out for you and for me
on the cross through the blood of Christ.
Grace that knows no boundaries.
Grace that makes all our wrongs become right. Grace that covers all.
The gospel lesson also reminds us of how much
God has done for us. It is not about what we do or have done. It is
all about what Christ has already done through his death and
resurrection. We don't need to come to church. We don't need to
pray daily. We don't need to read the Bible. We don't need to ask
for God's love. We don't need to help others. We don't need to feed
the hungry. We don't need to clothe the naked. We don't need to do
anything to receive the grace that God grants to us through the death of God's
only son on the cross. Now, you probably are starting to think I am
crazy, but this is the truth. There is absolutely nothing that we need to
do to be with Jesus in paradise. God, through the life, death, and
resurrection of Christ, has already done everything that needs to be
done. I am not letting you off the hook though - to go and do
nothing. No, we do everything we do, because of how much God has already
done for us. It is a response to Christ's gift of grace. Grace is
not an “if – then” statement. If I do this, then Christ will love me,
save me, and forgive me. No, that is not the basis of our faith.
The basis of our faith is a “because – therefore” statement. Because of
what Christ has already done for me, therefore I will praise him, thank him,
and help his other children on earth. It is not about us and these great
things. It is about God, through Christ, and all the great things that
have already been done for us.
The heart of the gospel can be found in what
God does next, after this story of crucifixion. God raises Jesus from the
dead. God makes Jesus the King. God ensures that death does not
have the final word. God makes the promise of resurrection the
victor. God gives Jesus to reign in mercy.
Jesus is a different kind of king. Jesus
is a king that does not conform to the expectations of this world. Jesus
is not a king that is willing to rule from far away, but comes among us to walk
with us. Jesus is a king who will love, embrace, forgive, and redeem
everyone. Jesus is a king who comes to bring a new kingdom, a kingdom
that promises paradise. This, this is our king, Christ the King.
Amen
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