Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do

 

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."   But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

- Luke 23:32–43 

 

Yesterday we read that, as they led Jesus away to His crucifixion, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!'  Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"

 

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Calvary literally means "the skull."  My study Bible comments that being crucified between the two criminals shows Christ's complete identity with fallen humanity, and fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9-12.

 

 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  My study Bible says that this intercession is not only for those who sentenced and crucified Jesus, but for all of humanity -- a people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God's salvation.  He speaks these words not as a request, but with His divine authority.  So, therefore, my study Bible adds that their great sin would still have been forgiven the had they repented.  Notably, of course, one of the soldiers did repent (see verse 47) and he is considered a saint of the Church.  

 

 And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."   My study Bible notes that the repeated expression to "Save Yourself" is the continuing temptation of Satan to deter Jesus from completing His mission (see Luke 4:9-13).  

 

 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  According to my study Bible, this inscription was intended as an accusation and a mockery.  Instead it became a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King.  

 

 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."   But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study Bible explains that the first of the criminals wanted to use Jesus to avoid responsibility for his actions, while the other accepts his sentence and asks simply to be remembered.  This latter way is the path to Paradise.  Jesus says, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study Bible comments that to be reconciled to Christ is to be in paradise immediately.  Moreover, the souls of the departed as in the presence of God and experience a foretaste of His glory before the final resurrection. 

 

 What is forgiveness?  What is a sin that is too great to forgive?  My study Bible explains Jesus' words as given in divine authority, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  In so doing, it notes that, while Christ's forgiveness is thereby extended to all and for all, it is nevertheless necessary that human beings repent in order to realize that forgiveness.  This is crucial to our understanding of our faith, for it forms the crux of Christ's very mission into our world as the human Jesus, the purpose for His death on the Cross, His Resurrection, and all the things on which our hinges our worship and faith.  Christ's forgiveness is extended to all, but nevertheless repentance is the way by which we are able to realize that forgiveness.  We ourselves -- like the repentant thief on the cross -- need to come to terms with the truth of our own errors and where and who we are in order to realize that forgiveness and find our way to Christ.  Our faith life is a question of returning to Him and His way for us, finding our way to be with Him in Paradise, as Jesus tells the repentant criminal.  For how could we be with Christ in Paradise if we're not prepared to recognize the things that keep us out -- our own sins and behavior?  How could we be with Christ in Paradise if we're not prepared to accept the reality of this authority, and to live the life in Paradise and compatible with its reality?  Forgiveness, in this understanding, is not merely a kind of blanket excuse for everything.  It's not stating that people have done nothing wrong, or committed no error or sin.  It's quite the opposite; it's an acknowledgement of the error and of the sin, but it is willing pardon for the effects of that sin, if there is repentance.  It is God's willing love for each of us to be where He is, to live that blessed life of Paradise, if we but make the choice to follow Him and to accept that forgiveness.  It is a declaration of His love, just as Christ's very life in this world is a declaration of that love:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).  Christ's parable of the Prodigal Son, found only in St. Luke's Gospel (Luke 15:11-32), teaches us this same understanding of repentance and forgiveness.  In that parable, the father of the Prodigal has always loved his son, has always desired his return.  But it's not until the son "came to himself" that he realized that life was so much better with his father, even for the lowest hired servants, than the life he had found by squandering his inheritance.  When he returns he tells his father he's not worthy to be called his son, and asks simply to be made a hired servant.  But instead his father runs to meet him, and calls for a banquet to rejoice "for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24).  This is Christ's forgiveness, given to us all from the Cross, and with authority, so that each of us may come to Him and find ourselves, not as strangers but as sons of the Kingdom.  Let us open our eyes to His grace.  While many if not most of us are not guilty of such terrible sins, to repent is not merely to renounce a specific sin.  We turn to God for the things we "know not" -- the way God would lead us forward to Him and toward Paradise.  For this is repentance, or "change of mind" as the word literally means in Greek.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).  This is an ongoing, eternal, and infinite process.  Let us follow Him.

 

 

 

 

Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise

 

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots. 

 

And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  

 

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

- Luke 23:32-43 

 

Yesterday we read that as they led Jesus away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!'  Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!'  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"  

 

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.   The English word Calvary comes from the Latin for "skull."  In the Greek of the text this word is Κρανίον/Kranion, meaning "the skull."    My study Bible comments that being crucified between the two criminals shows Christ's complete identity with fallen humanity, and it fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9-12.  

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."   And they divided His garments and cast lots.  My study Bible says that this intercession is not only for those who sentenced and crucified Jesus, but for all of humanity -- a people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God's salvation.  Jesus speaks these words not as a request, but with divine authority.  My study Bible adds that their great sin would still have been forgiven them had they repented.  Indeed, we know that one of the soldiers did indeed repent (Luke 23:47), and is considered to be a saint of the Church.  

And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."   The taunt to "save Yourself" is, according to my study Bible, the continuing temptation of Satan to deter Jesus from completing His mission (see Luke 4:9-13).  

 

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  In this inscription, my study Bible says, what was intended as an accusation and a mockery became instead a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study Bible explains that the first of the criminals wanted to use Jesus to avoid responsibility for his actions, while the other accepts his sentence and asks simply to be remembered.  This latter way is the path to Paradise.  Jesus tells him that "today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study Bible comments on Jesus' use of "today" that to be reconciled to Christ is to be in paradise immediately.  Moreover, it adds, the souls of the departed are in the presence of God and experience a foretaste of God's glory before the final resurrection.  

I am intrigued and drawn to Christ's final words here, addressed to the penitent thief:  "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  How many of us would love to hear those words?  Is this not an invitation devoutly to be wished?  Even if we were not close to death in this world, would we not wish to be with Christ in Paradise?  The word for Paradise (Παραδείσος/Paradisos) comes from an ancient Persian (or perhaps Armenian) word, which, according to Strong's definitions, means an enclosure or garden or park.  Ancient Paradise (the one in which Adam and Eve were first dwelling), some say, was a garden upon a mountain (see Ezekiel 28:13-14, "You were on the holy mountain of God").  As such, it was closer to heaven; in this sense of Paradise, somewhere between the earth we know and heaven.  So why would we not wish to be in this beautiful place, and with Jesus, and surrounded by God's love and beauty?  And yet, we live in a world of exile from that place, and tainted by the things that are against love, against the presence and truths of God.  And so, we need to think about this a little bit, because that promise, "You will be with Me in Paradise," is one that is, in a sense, given to all of us.  There can be no doubt that Christ would like to be able to say this to each of us.  Those of us with loved ones no longer in this world no doubt would love to be in that same Paradise where the cares and sins of the world are away from us, and we could live in harmony with those whom we love, perhaps even with those with whom we've had bad experiences.  For this kind of peace must fill a Paradise where Christ is.  But we have to think to ourselves that if Christ came to this world, and took on the nature and life of human beings, even condescending to be numbered among the transgressors, crucified as a criminal between two thieves, on a hill that is the opposite of the holy mountain of Paradise, then these words have to mean something more to us than one promise to one man who has repented.  These words are meant for each of us to whom they are a beautiful promise, for Christ gives us His kingdom, too, and His presence and the Spirit, and His angels, while we are yet still in this world, in exile from Paradise.  Christ asks us to take up His Cross -- the one through which He has defeated death -- and make for ourselves the paradise that we can where we live.  He asks us to live and dwell within His paradise on earth:  the Kingdom we can carry within and amongst ourselves through faith and following His word and His teachings.  We are to love one another, to reflect beauty and His truth.  We are to create by allowing the energies of grace to work through us and cooperating with them, through our own ongoing repentance and transformation in that grace, and by growing in the virtues that God's love and mercy would teach and grow in us (Galatians 5:22-23).  We have walked through Jesus' ministry as we've gone through the Gospel of Luke, and witnessed the struggle for this world, which continues.  But we are those who may yet live with Him through His presence with us, through the grace and mercy we receive and may therefore share with one another, through the beauty we may create through the understanding of God's love.  We might not be on that holy mountain, or in the Paradise Christ opens to the thief, but it seems that our job in this world is to live that paradise here through the gifts we are given, even as we live amidst a world filled with problems and spiritual struggle.  In the 23rd Psalm we may pray with the ancient author that although we "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" our Shepherd walks with us, comforts us, guides us, and provides for us.  For He rules among His enemies here (Psalm 110), even the "shadow of death" that remains.  And yet, we look to the promise of our places in His Paradise (John 14:2-3), even as we are meant to dwell in the holiness He gives us here.  Today we read of an inscription meant to mock, but Christ remains our King, here and in the Paradise He promises.  But it is here we're meant to build and dwell in His Kingdom.

 

 

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

 

Byzantine Christogram:  Jesus Christ Conquers.  Graffito; Athens, Greece.  Spray-painted over black star.  © Author's collection

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

- Luke 23:32–43 

 

Yesterday, we read that as they led Christ away to the place of crucifixion, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!"  Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"'  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"

 

  There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.   Calvary literally means "the skull."  To be crucified between two criminals shows the complete identification of Christ with fallen humanity, my study Bible says; it also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9-12.

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  My study Bible calls this an intercession not only for those who sentenced and crucified Jesus, but for all of humanity.  That is, for people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God's salvation.  Jesus speaks these words not as a request, but rather with divine authority.  My study Bible adds that their great sin would still have been forgiven if they repented.  One of the soldiers did repent (verse 47), and he is considered to be a saint of the Church.  The soldiers divided His garments and cast lots:  see Psalm 22:18.

And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  My study Bible points out that the taunt, "Save Yourself" is a continuing temptation of Satan to deter Jesus from completing His mission (see Luke 4:9-13).  

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This inscription is an indicator of the upside-down nature of the time, in which an Innocent is crucified while a murderer (Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father") is freed.  The inscription on the Cross is meant as an accusation and a mockery.  Instead it became a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King. 

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study Bible says that the first of the criminals wanted to use Jesus to avoid responsibility for his actions, but the other accepts his sentence, and simply asks to be remembered.  It is the latter way that is the path to Paradise.  Jesus says that today this second thief will be with Him in Paradise:  My study Bible reflects that to be reconciled to Christ is to be in paradise immediately.  Moreover, it says, the souls of the departed are in the presence of God and they experience a foretaste of His glory before the final resurrection.

 

 Jesus' crucifixion fills us with a terrible sadness, a crushing horror that makes us weep.  How can this happen to the Savior of the world?  Why would such a terrible fate await the purely good, our Lord who is truly beautiful?  Some might answer that the Crucifixion presents to us an image of ourselves, an ungrateful and sinful humanity rejecting and even crucifying our Lord.  But my study Bible once again -- as the Gospel passages over the past week did as well -- points out that there is one culprit upon whom the ultimate blame lies for this scene, and that is Satan who continues to work through human beings as they sneer and mock.  This isn't to remove culpability from human beings for the choice to sin or to commit evil acts.  But the teaching of spiritual evil is not simple mythology used to naively explain away bad behavior, nor is it without tremendous theological foundation supported by the most brilliant thinkers and saints of history.  It is an unseen reality we'd be better off acknowledging if we want to understand ourselves, and our world, and how spiritual evil works off of our temptations, weaknesses, and passions.  Above, in the discussion of the inscription written on the Cross in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, my study Bible remarked that, although it was meant as an accusation and a mockery, it instead became a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King.   As we also noted, this is an indication of what we might call an "upside-down time."   It seems this quality of being upside down is an indicator of evil influence, a time in which rules and logic, an understanding of good values which include respect for one's fellow beings, are shoved aside for a rule of selfishness and criminality, where brutality becomes an acceptable means to an end.  If we look at recent historical examples, such as the time of the Cultural Revolution in China, or the early decades of the Soviet Union, the period of Nazi rise and rule in Germany, and a great many other examples in the world, we see what can be called "upside-down" periods of time, when traditional values are deliberately overthrown in favor of extremely ruthless means of assimilating and building power.  Concentration camps that tortured and exterminated whole groups of people on the basis of propaganda claiming to be scientific were merely a means of consolidating power in Nazi Germany, as earlier genocides such as of the Christians of the Ottoman Empire did the same.  The ruthlessness of the KGB in revolutionary Russia was made in the name of progress and human liberation, but equaled every bit the hideous practices of the Nazis.  The Cultural Revolution in China claimed also to liberate, while it decimated education, relations within all communities, and destroyed those who represented in the most tangential way the lengthy historical culture of the country.  At the same time, what was called "The Great Leap Forward" needlessly resulted in tens of millions of deaths due to starvation, just as collectivization had done in the Soviet Union.  Pol Pot called his country Democratic Kampuchea, while in reality instituting one-party rule and murdering millions of his own citizens.  These are examples of huge periods of historical chaos, but an upside-down time can occur on a large scale or a small, even to intimate and fleeting times of our lives, when suddenly nothing seems comprehensible, save for an extreme idea, or a slogan that grips the mind in response to fear or other passions.  The culture of the mob often produces upside-down results, unthinkable under historical systems of law or justice.  And in this period of the crucifixion of Christ, we see so many signs of a world turned topsy-turvy, as we look back at His ministry of love, care, and healing, the great teachings in fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and the many good things Christ did within the immediate years preceding His death.  All know He is being crucified on the basis of lies and manipulation, and all know Barabbas to be a murderer whom the crowd has demanded to be set free.  Let us note, secondarily, that whether or not we correctly perceive this upside-down time really depends upon which side of the fence we're on at the time.  Those who only seek their own benefit perceive it the other way around -- and so, we might say their perception is also upside down!  If we look at the response of the women and others who weep for Christ, at the uncomprehending disciples, even at members of the ruling Council who have faith in Christ (such as Nicodemus, in his response in John 7:51), we see the stunned and bewildered effect a world turned upside down has on the ones who seek the truth they need.  This confusion only emphasizes the evil of the time, in which "whoever kills you will think that he offers God service" (John 16:4), and "you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death," and "you will be hated by all for My name’s sake" (Luke 21:16-17).  But in such times, Christ calls on us for endurance, and moreover suggests they may be opportunity for testimony and the work of the Holy Spirit in us (Luke 21:13-15), and by our patience we will possess our souls (Luke 21:19).  In these times, we turn to our spiritual weapons of prayer and worship, we seek to cultivate virtue and spiritual fruit, we remain alert and awake and rely on God.  We watch and pray, as will the women who remain faithful to Him, and the disciples.   For these are our examples in a time when even our Savior is numbered with the transgressors, and a King is nailed to the Cross.

 

 

 

 

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."   And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

- Luke 23:32-43

Yesterday we read that as they led Jesus away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!'  Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"'  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.   Calvary in the Greek is Κρανίον, which literally means "the skull."    It indicates what sort of a place this is.  My study bible says that being crucified between the two criminals shows Christ's complete identity with fallen humanity, and fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9-12.

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  My study bible notes that this intercession isn't just for those who sentenced and crucified Jesus.  It is for all of humanity, for a people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God's salvation.  These words are spoken not as a request, but rather with divine authority.  What it indicates is that their great sin would still have been forgiven them if they had repented.  One of these soldiers did do so (verse 47), and is considered saint of the Church.

And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."   "Save Yourself" is a continuing temptation of Satan to deter Jesus from completing His mission.  We hear the echoes from the first, just as He began His ministry (4:9-13).

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  My study bible says of this inscription that what was intended as an accusation and a mockery became instead a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  There is a kind of teaching here.  The first of the criminals wants to use Christ to avoid responsibility for his actions.  But the other accepts his sentence and asks simply to be remembered.  Like the tax collector in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, this latter way is the path to Paradise.  Jesus tells him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  My study bible notes that to be reconciled to Christ is to be in paradise immediately.  Moreover, the souls of the departed are in the presence of God and experience a foretaste of His glory before the final resurrection.

Even at His Crucifixion, Christ continues to teach us, and to teach those around Him.  The example of the second criminal is one more time in which Christ ministers to others.  He does not relinquish truth, but upholds it.  He battles temptation on the Cross, both from the rulers together with the people, and from the soldiers.  It is perhaps the most telling lesson that He prays for forgiveness, because forgiveness is something that we always need to understand, it seems to me.  To forgive, in the Gospels, is to release, to take away, to let go.  Reconciliation, however, is another word.  These are two different things.  Forgiveness is extended, but as my study bible points out, reconciliation depends also on repentance.  Too often we seem to assume that repentance is unnecessary for reconciliation, and we also confuse reconciliation with forgiveness.  It is entirely possible to forgive and yet not be fully reconciled within the fullness of relationship with someone.  A childhood abuser, perhaps to take an extreme example, can be forgiven with the help of God, but this does not imply that one must enter into full relationship with such a person.  Work is necessary for relationships, whether we are speaking of marriage or any other type of relationship in life.  Abuse breaks relationships.  Forgiveness means we put the relationship -- and our righteous conduct -- in the hands of God.  We "release" to God and ask for God to teach us and guide us in righteous behavior and right-relatedness, regardless of our own sin or of those who may have sinned against us.  But reconciliation is another goal, another road, something that requires discernment and work, just as forgiveness requires work on our part in the first place.  We cannot be responsible for the sins committed against us, but we are fully responsible for our own conduct.  (Let us remember that Christ Himself uses the example of name-calling, definitely provocative behavior, and calls it akin to murder in Matthew 5:22.)  We ask God to guide us, and we have this tremendous example of Christ -- Who, even on the Cross, treats all with righteousness, and responds to everything with righteousness, both temptation and repentance.  He remains our example in all things.  His prayer for forgiveness is not a blanket excuse for all; He remains the One who taught that "truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"  Repentance remains a great key to the mystery of full reconciliation, while forgiveness is the one tool we have by which to let go of what harms and ails and put it in the hands of God.  May we all be given the grace of discernment, and strive more to be like Him, and follow His example.

Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom

 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

- Luke 23:32-43

Yesterday, we read that as they led Jesus away to Golgotha for crucifixion, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.  But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!'  Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"

  There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.    The word translated as Calvary (from Latin) is literally "the skull" in Greek.  My study bible says that being crucified between two criminals shows Christ''s complete identity with fallen humanity.  It also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9-12.

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  My study bible suggests that Jesus' intercession here isn't only for those immediately responsible for crucifixion -- such as the soldiers present -- but for all of humanity:  a people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God's salvation.  Jesus speaks these words with divine authority.  Their sin would have been forgiven them had they repented.  And, addressing these soldiers directly, we do know that one repented and is considered a saint of the Church (see Luke 23:47).

  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."   In the repeated taunting of Jesus, we read the words "Save Yourself."  My study bible says this is the continuing temptation of Satan to deter Jesus from completing His mission (see also Luke 4:9-13).

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.    A note tells us that what was intended as accusation and mockery becomes instead a triumphant symbol that all nations would come under the reign of Jesus the King.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."   My study bible says that the first of the two criminals wanted to use Jesus in order to avoid responsibility, but the other accepts his sentence and asks only to be remembered.   This latter way, my study bible tells us, is the way to Paradise.  Jesus uses the word, "today," indicating that to be reconciled to Christ is to be in paradise immediately.  The souls of the departed are in the presence of God and experience a foretaste of His glory, say my study bible, before the final resurrection.

What strikes me powerfully in today's reading is the comment by my study bible regarding the confession of the criminal on the cross next to Jesus.  One takes no responsibility for his life, but the one who is pardoned accepts his sentence and asks only to be remembered.  What it says to me is that this is the one who acknowledges the truth of his life, the fullness of the reality of his life, and so he is the one who can have a relationship with Christ.  Over and over again, Christ preaches against our own blindness to ourselves and our lives.  He has warned us about seeing the splinter in another's eye but being blind to the plank in our own.  He has taught us the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, in which the Pharisee prayed "with himself" while the tax collector admitted to God the sins he had committed; Jesus tells us it is the tax collector who leaves justified, truly reconciled.  What we learn from Christ is something about truth once again:  that the truth is indispensable to our salvation and our hope.  We have no hope of reconciliation and healing without truth, without a clear understanding of our own reality.  Our God isn't a fantasy-world creation, based in false myth.  This is a God of truth; as Jesus has described Himself:  I am the way, the truth, the life.   If we want to be truly healed, justified, reconciled to God, we have to be aware of our own truth and own up to it.  We can't live in fantasies and be reconciled to our God who is the truth.  So let us examine with clear eyes how Jesus calls us to truth even on the Cross.  He remains in His truth, He remains as healer, He remains as Lord.  There is nothing about this scene, no matter how perverse this false "justice" is that is being applied, that takes away from the Lord:  He is healing, He is saving, He is telling the truth, and He is speaking of His Kingdom.  He forgives and continues to try to save, but He never relinquishes His truth nor His identity.  And that is the great lesson to us.  No matter what the situation, we center upon the truth, we don't deviate from reality to please falsehood, petty dictators who would tell us what is what.  He forgives one thief, but the other remains in his sins.  He can be reconciled to all of us, but it is we who bear a responsibility to know our truth, to open our eyes to what is what, not to live with our own delusions.  This is psychological reality:  our arrogance gets us nowhere in healing, our own lies to ourselves, our denial, means we stay in our illness, our disease, our sin.  Let us remember where Christ takes us, and go there with Him.  He is the way and the truth and the life.  His witness is true, His word is our truth.  We need humility to remain in that truth, to be truly healed and saved.