Week 4 – Friday 1 April

‘We indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then [the criminal] said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

Reading

Luke 23.26-43

The Crucifixion of Jesus

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

Reflection

Jesus’ politics of generosity and compassion did not just change the lives of individuals, they challenged the system that denied them dignity, love and forgiveness, and thereby sustained an oppressive and immovable order. Jesus and empire could not co-exist, so that, in the end, those with power – over political, religious and personal empires – united to get rid of him.

The justice system, meant to protect the vulnerable, is so perverted that even Pilate recognises they are putting an innocent man to death. The complete failure of human justice is graphically depicted as Jesus hangs between two known criminals.

Yet in the midst of desolation, Jesus keeps practising life-changing compassion, and reaches out with grace to the criminal who asks for it. The man is guilty and will still die, but just deserts are not the end of the road. Compassion reaches beyond justice, and makes all things new.

Prayer

Just and merciful God, soften our hearts, that where we have power and build little empires of our own, we may be moved and changed by compassion. Amen.

Today’s family challenge

Read how Jesus forgave others right to the end

Luke 23.32-43 shows how even while he suffered on the cross, Jesus loved and forgave others.