A Microcosm of All People
The scene at the cross as a mirror of humanity and a measure of grace.
Quite a chain of events happens around Jesus’ death. Significant characters abound: Simon of Cyrene, the women who knew Jesus, two criminals (including one who defends Jesus), the Centurion, and Joseph of Arimathea. One carried his cross, another purchased his tomb. Many mocked him. Others mourned for him.
In thinking about today, this could be seen as a microcosm of all people. Some bear Christ’s burden, some defend him, some quietly care for him, some mock, and others stand at a distance and weep. The cross reveals us all. It can reveal our faith, our fear, our compassion, our cruelty.
And still, even in this moment of abandonment and violence, Jesus remains who he is: forgiving, welcoming, and steadfast. Father, forgive them and Today you will be with me in paradise are not words of defeat but of consistent compassion and care. At his lowest, Jesus does what he always does when he extends mercy.
Those who stood near, those who stood far off, and those who would later hear the story are all drawn into its gravity. The cross doesn’t just expose sin; it exposes grace.
Luke 23:26-56
As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, who was coming in from the countryside. They put the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed Jesus, including women, who were mourning and wailing for him. Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Rather, cry for yourselves and your children. The time will come when they will say, ‘Happy are those who are unable to become pregnant, the wombs that never gave birth, and the breasts that never nursed a child.’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ If they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
They also led two other criminals to be executed with Jesus. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing.
The people were standing around watching, but the leaders sneered at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one.”
The soldiers also mocked him. They came up to him, offering him sour wine and saying, “If you really are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Above his head was a notice of the formal charge against him. It read “This is the king of the Jews.”
One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus insulted him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
Responding, the other criminal spoke harshly to him, “Don’t you fear God, seeing that you’ve also been sentenced to die? We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”
It was now about noon, and darkness covered the whole earth until about three o’clock, while the sun stopped shining. Then the curtain in the sanctuary tore down the middle. Crying out in a loud voice, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my life.” After he said this, he breathed for the last time.
When the centurion saw what happened, he praised God, saying, “It’s really true: this man was righteous.” All the crowds who had come together to see this event returned to their homes beating their chests after seeing what had happened. And everyone who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance observing these things.
Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council. He was a good and righteous man. He hadn’t agreed with the plan and actions of the council. He was from the Jewish city of Arimathea and eagerly anticipated God’s kingdom. This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a tomb carved out of the rock, in which no one had ever been buried. It was the Preparation Day for the Sabbath, and the Sabbath was quickly approaching. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph. They saw the tomb and how Jesus’ body was laid in it, then they went away and prepared fragrant spices and perfumed oils. They rested on the Sabbath, in keeping with the commandment.
Psalm 31:3-5a
You are definitely my rock and my fortress.
Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name!
Get me out of this net that’s been set for me
because you are my protective fortress.
I entrust my spirit into your hands.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for this new day. It’s Wednesday, not quite halfway between Sundays, but we kind of treat it that way. As I look back, I’m grateful for your Word. As I look forward, I know of my continued need for him and the Spirit he sent.
So help me, God. The day ahead seems full and yet still not the time I need to do it all. That’s on me. Help me as I navigate and prioritize. Keep people in front of me.
As I begin this day only with you, lead me through it only with your Way, even as I am immersed in so many things.
I love you, Lord. Help me know what that even means.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.