I have been preaching a series of series(es), progressing through a continuum of red words that I have called The Red Zone. They are the words of Jesus in the Gospels (and most likely those quoted in Acts and the Epistles). I have come to the Crucifixion and will break it into three or four parts. Today, I will preach from Luke 23:26-43. Jesus speaks three times in this passage ...
Once, he speaks, on the road to Calvary, to sympathize with the pain of the women who are weeping. He adjures them not to weep for Him, but for themselves. He enters into the pain that He knows they will experience in the future. It is an outward focus. He is bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows.
Then, He speaks of His tormentors and asks the Father to forgive them. He says, "They know not what they do." He enters into their hearts and seeks to view their reality. It is an outward focus. He is bearing the sins of the world and speaking forgiveness. "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him."
Finally, He speaks to the thief on the cross who has taken responsibility for his own sins and chosen to identify with Jesus. Out of His own agony, He again has an outward focus and He speaks hope, embracing the one hangs on the cross next to Him, He includes Him and says, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." The focus is outward and redemptive. He is bringing another along with Him beyond the suffering, beyond the condemnation, beyond the indignity, and even beyond the grave.
The question is, how does this apply to us? This is what Jesus did and it is done. He identified with us to redeem us. He denied Himself as He declared each of His followers must do. Then, He took up the cross as He said we must do. This self-denial, for us, is a sort of forgetfulness, leaving behind our petty concerns and egocentricity.
But, to take up my cross with the words and sentiments of Jesus? What is it to me? Outwardly focusing, I stop weeping for myself and weep for the suffering of the world. I must bear the griefs and sorrows of others.
Outwardly focusing, I must forgive and ask God to forgive all who have sinned against me or who are trapped in a cycle of ignorance and addiction to anything that oppresses the human spirit. I must stand with them in a priestly garb to speak words of liberation, grace and mercy. The cross is not merely an historical event or a metaphorical icon, it is a living, vicarious reality into which I have entered by faith. It is present in me, in you, and in all who so identify.
Finally, if I will identify with Jesus and bear, by His example, my own cross, whatever the cost, I must bear the burden of hope and speak the word of hope. I must embrace the thief who is next to me and welcome him into Paradise. His cross has been his own burden, his own guilt, his own shame, his own earthly concerns. We have died to that already and Jesus has born it. Our cross now, is to take his and invite him to be our brother. Our cross is momentary because we known that the outcome is resurrection and life. Our cross becomes a cross of joy that transcends pain and disgrace.
These are my thoughts entering into this season of remembering His words. He is inviting me to speak those words as well and stand with Him, bearing the pain of the world, announcing forgiveness, and inviting thieves and outcasts to His grace party.
I'm in!
--------------------------------
Luke 23:26-43
King James Version (KJV)
26And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
