Jesus Favors the Powerless
September 24, 2023
Luke 23:32-43 | Psalm 22:7-11
It would be really nice to know their names. Luke either didn’t get their names or chose not to share them. But the story of the criminals who died with Jesus really can’t be overshared. At least, the one who stood up for Jesus…and Jesus welcomed him into Paradise - it’s something.
Then consider the religious leaders. Why were they there? Certainly there may be some cultural differences between the way we handle death today (or don’t) and the way they did back then. Crucifixions were intentionally carried out in public areas.
But for real…what would make someone say, “I’m going to go watch that on purpose.”?
We can assume why some of those who loved Jesus might have been there, but the religious leaders? Their audacity here is astounding, if not sickening.
But here we are and nothing has really changed for Jesus: he’s hanging out with those on the margins and the religious leaders are watching with haughty derision. The setting has shifted from a table to the cross and yet the story is the same.
Jesus favors the powerless.
Luke 23:32-43
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.”
Psalm 22:7-11
All who see me make fun of me—
they gape, shaking their heads:
“He committed himself to the Lord,
so let God rescue him;
let God deliver him
because God likes him so much.”
But you are the one who pulled me from the womb,
placing me safely at my mother’s breasts.
I was thrown on you from birth;
you’ve been my God
since I was in my mother’s womb.
Please don’t be far from me,
because trouble is near
and there’s no one to help.
Prayer
God,
Sometimes I’m just mystified at how I miss it. Or how I forget it time and again: just how much your solidarity in Christ with those who are not and can not is at the heart of it all.
As the days go by, I get comfortable in my privileges, the safety provided to me by a variety of things…family, race, nationality, gender, health, generational wealth. And I stamp “Jesus Loves Me” on it all and feel pretty good about it.
And you know what, God? It is good. I’m grateful for food and shelter and connection and community and a past and a future and all that.
But I forget. I forget about those who have it not.
So help me, God: Continue to challenge me with the true love of Christ; the one that did not simply rest in power and privilege, but who consistently placed himself in solidarity with those who are not and can not.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.