Focal Passage: Luke 23:32-49
In our study this week we come to the most tragic and cataclysmic event in human history.
One might say this world has seen a lot of tragedy, wars, earthquakes and natural disasters, famine, pestilence and plagues.
Some would argue that the pandemic our world experienced surely ranks among one of the most tragic events mankind has ever faced because of its global impact on humanity. But of all the tragedies faced by man, none were more significant than the one when Jesus died on the cross.
Jesus, the Son of God, God incarnate, the creator of heaven and earth was put to death — killed by His own creation. The details of how He suffered and died are indeed tragic in and of themselves, but the reactions of those seeing it only magnified the humiliation and inhumanness.
We pick this story up in Luke 23:32 with Jesus being led to the place we call Calvary. The Aramaic word was “Golgotha”, meaning skull. If you ever travel to the Holy Land, you most likely will be taken to the Garden Tomb.
Many believe this was where Joseph of Arimathea along with Nicodemus took Jesus’ body after the crucifixon You will be shown a hill near there that is believed to be the site referred to as Golgotha.
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Whether it is the actual place where the crucifixion actually took place, we can’t be certain, but you can actually see the image of a skull in the rock formation.
Nonetheless, after arriving at Calvary they crucified Jesus between two criminals. We do not know if it was intentional or coincidental but the impression is they wanted Jesus to be seen as a criminal just as these other two, one on either side.
But Jesus’ actions clearly set Him apart from both. As Jesus looked down from the cross, He prayed for all who were there. Just as in life, now in His death He wanted to impart forgiveness and mercy.
Of course, His forgiveness and mercy were met by sneers and mockery. The religious rulers, gloating in a perceived victory. The soldiers, mocking for sport.
One of the criminals, hoping for the miracle of escape. The other criminal did not mock Jesus. He mostly is unknown except for his conversation with Jesus. He seemed to know who Jesus was or at least had heard of Him. His reference to the Kingdom would suggest some knowledge of who Jesus was.
At any rate, his request of faith was immediately met with a resounding yes. Not a maybe, not a soon, not a perhaps, not a tomorrow, but today, you will be with me in paradise.
With Jesus, there is no waiting period. We don’t have to wait for His answer. He stands ready to accept us and embrace us immediately the moment we ask Him to.
He forgives immediately the moment we confess our failures and sin. Our past does not matter — only the future. Aren’t you glad the story did not end in the darkness that afternoon? Aren’t you glad the story did not stay a tragedy? Praise God there was more to the story! B&R
