Courtesy The Church of the Lutheran Confession
THE FIRST WORD FROM THE CROSS
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Throughout His trial Jesus did not complain. He did not strike back with His tongue at the evil that was hurled at Him. He was silent, except when it was necessary to witness to the truth or proclaim the honor of God. Yet upon the cross, when the die was cast He spoke treasured words. The first words were words of intercession. But for whom were they spoken? They were spoken for the betrayer and the denier. They were spoken for the soldiers who had taken Him in the garden as well as for those who had borne false witness against Him. They were spoken for the High Priest and the crowd that called for His crucifixion. Included were Pilate and Herod, and finally those who crucified Him and mocked Him at the cross.
Even as He prayed He witnessed to His relationship to God. He called Him, “Father.” He did not say to the people at the cross, “I forgive you.” The offenses against Him were directed at the Father who had sent Him. He implored the Father to forgive them, and thus showed that He had not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
The cross of torment and death was the cross of love. We sing in a hymn, “The King of love my Shepherd is.” Never was such love shown by one person for so many as when the Savior God, having taken the sins of mankind on Himself, died to validate the very prayer that He spoke, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
But this all sounds so abstract to many. Furthermore, of what importance are the words spoken by Jesus Christ two millennia ago? Today the issues are race relations, the economy, the impending war, taxes, social welfare and equality and a myriad of other things. Who cares about what Christ said so long ago?
In response let us recognize that those words were spoken for us and for all people. When the crowd cried “crucify Him” Jesus” response was “Forgive them, Father.” In the face of the world’s blasphemy, Jesus says, “Forgive them.” When our conscience cries out against us because we have transgressed, Jesus” words still echo across the centuries, “Father forgive them.” The message of the Gospel is that where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation. All who recognize the terrible burden of sin and its eternal consequence are thankful for the price Jesus paid for which reason the Father graciously forgives our sin.
THE SECOND WORD FROM THE CROSS:
“Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left” (Luke 23:33). Around the cross were representatives of all kinds of people. Thee were the proud, the self-righteous, the scoffers and mockers. There were people sympathetic to Jesus. They were all there by choice. And then there were some who were not there by choice. They were two others suffering the same punishment as Jesus, though for different reason. They were malefactors who were not there by choice, but whose life choices put them in this circumstance. The one criminal mocked Jesus from the cross. He died with cursing on his lips. What a horrible way to die! But there was the other who was won by the power of the cross. He had heard the first word of Jesus in which Jesus implored the Father to forgive his crucifiers. “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23: 42). We often speak cynically about condemned criminals who repent on death row. No doubt there are some who do confess the Lord without meaning it when they are confronted with death, in other words they do it for effect. But we should be careful about such judgment.
The criminal who was facing death hanging alongside Jesus spoke from the heart. He confessed his sin and unworthiness. Luther* said, “In the Garden He (Jesus) was comforted by an angel, on the cross by a murderer hanging beside Him. How strange that God should let His Son be comforted by a murderer.” There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.
Jesus’ response is a comfort to us. This man did not plead his works or any righteousness of his own. How could he? He had wasted away his life in crime and was now receiving the just reward of his deeds. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6: 23). If ever there was a strong commentary on the fact that salvation is by grace through faith without the deeds of the Law here is one. The gift of salvation is not earned. It is given. Jesus said to the penitent thief, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The Lord had said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Through Jesus’ word to this man, He declared the penitent thief to be one who was drawn to Him.
What a way to die! “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Analyze those words. Today with Jesus. in paradise. How blessed is the death of the saints; how great the breadth and depth of the grace of God! Let us not wonder how this evil man could be shown such grace. But let us thank God that grace is so rich to even include him, for then it will include us whose sins against the Lord are every bit as dark, even if not as spectacular. One church father* wrote, “I do not ask for the measure of Paul’s grace. I ask not for Peter’s portion; but I fervently beg to receive what Thou on the cross didst bestow on the malefactor.” On our last day how blessed we will be as we cling to the cross of Jesus from which will come to us these gracious words, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” *Quoted in “The Passion Story”- Wilhelm Besser
THE THIRD WORD FROM THE CROSS
“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:26-27).
As Jesus hung upon the cross there were many who hung around the cross. Besides His friends of whom there were fewer, there were the mockers and scoffers. The sight of Jesus hanging upon the cross, as well as the sound of evil voices mocking her Son surely brought to Mary’s mind the prophecy of Simeon. Simeon had said to Mary, “ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). The name “Mary” means, “bitter.” Here at the cross she tasted the bitterness of the helplessness of a mother who could neither take the place of Her Son nor alleviate His suffering.
But greater than the mother-love of Mary is the love of her Son, whom she also knew as her Savior. For she had said in the Magnificat “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 2:47). Neither she nor we have ever been called upon to exercise sacrificial love to the extent Jesus did. Yet in the midst of His suffering there is exhibited what the Scriptures record, “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). In His last hours, He did not forget His mother but provided a protector for her. The Savior provided her with another “son.” He saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Jesus called her “woman” and not “mother” because He would have her think of Him in relation to her atonement by Him rather than in a narrower familial relationship. Mary could lean on John as a son. But the concern was to be mutual. John too, as the disciple “ whom Jesus loved” was also in need of support. “Then saith He to the disciple (John), Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
In these words, first of all, we learn that our welfare is the constant and abiding concern of our Savior. He knows our pain and sorrow, even in His own. He did not die on the cross in our place to forgive us our sin and win heaven for us only then to forget us while we are waiting for the eternal dawn. Here He also helps us to appreciate that He helps and strengthens, and encourages us through one another. We do not live on an island. At the cross we learn to appreciate the mutual love and care that exists within a fellowship, as well as the responsibility that members of the body of Christ are to have for one another. If in His deepest suffering He loved His own so much that He would provide for their mutual welfare, how also ought we to care for and love one another, and thus reflect Jesus’ love whereby He has loved us all!Image 1
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Thank you very much for pictures and Gospel words.
ReplyDeletePastor Leif G. Jensen
Evangelical Lutheran Free Church in Denmark