Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 5.1-3; Colossians 1.12-20; Luke 23.35-43
Over Jesus’ head was an inscription, “This is the king of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus blasphemed him. “Aren’t you the messiah? Then save yourself and us.” The other criminal rebuked the first. “Don’t you even fear God? You are under the same sentence of death yourself. We deserve it, after all. We are paying the price for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23.38-43).
The Feast of Christ the King culminates the liturgical year. We, the church, have listened to Luke’s gospel. When Jesus begins his mission in Luke, he announces the Spirit is upon him and has anointed him to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to captives, give sight to the blind, and set the oppressed free. Jesus announces a year of God’s favor—a jubilee year.
On this final Sunday of the year, Jesus hangs crucified on the cross with a criminal on either side. Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Scoffers taunt, “If you are the messiah, save yourself.” Soldiers join in, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” “King of the Jews” is the charge against Jesus. One criminal sees opportunity, “If you’re the messiah, save yourself and us.”
Jesus is no warrior king. He pours out his life energy in healing, teaching, seeking out the lost, eating with sinners and in this final scene of his life, making a relationship with the second criminal who testifies Jesus is innocent of any wrong doing and asks Jesus to remember him in his kingdom—an expression of faith.
Jesus shows us God’s power is love, God’s power gives life, and is the energy evolving in all that is. Jesus brings God among us not as a king but as our kin. Jesus promises the believing thief, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
In this scene Luke gives us the gospel in cameo. Luke tells his community and us that Jesus is God’s Spirit-filled prophet, faithful to the mission for which the Spirit anointed him. Jesus acts as the bearer of God’s mercy and forgiveness to the good thief and us.
- To whom do you show too little mercy? From whom do you need forgiveness?