Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Luke 23: 39-43.

TEXT: "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your
kingdom" (see Luke 23:42).

As Jesus hangs on the bitter cross, cruel laughter,
mockery and ridicule are flung at Him from all sides: from
the crowds, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers, and
even the criminals hanging to His right and left. One
criminal shouts, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself
and us!"
 
That taunt brings a surprising response-a lone voice
speaking up in Jesus' defense. "Do you not fear God,
since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward
of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
 
What changed this condemned criminal from mocker to
defender? Has he realized he will not come off this cross
alive-but in a few hours must stand before God his Judge?
Did the quiet, kingly dignity of Jesus' prayer, "Father,
forgiven them" change his mind? One thing is clear; the
Holy Spirit has convinced him of his guilt and given him
faith that Jesus is the innocent Son of God, who alone
can save him from the eternal torments of hell.

Through the eyes of faith the criminal looks beneath the
bloody crown of thorns and sees the King of kings, the
Savior of the world. Turning to Jesus he pleads, "Jesus,
remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

Our Lord replies "Truly, I say to you, today you will be
with Me in Paradise." In the midst of His bitter sufferings
Jesus receives the reassurance His bloody sacrifice is
not in vain. This repentant criminal is just one of a
countless multitude who will turn from their sins, trust in
Him, and spend eternity with Him in Paradise.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for assuring the repentant criminal
and me of Your gracious forgiveness and for promising us
eternal life with You in Paradise. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Luke 23: 32-38.

TEXT: And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do" (see Luke 23:34).

In agony Jesus looks upon the Roman soldiers who
savagely flogged Him, crowned Him with thorns, spat
upon Him, and mocked Him as King. They don't realize
they nailed their God and Creator to the cross.

He looks at the Jewish crowds that had hailed Him as
the Messiah when He entered Jerusalem on Sunday.
Now, passing by on their way into the city, they deride
Him as a fraud and fake. They have no idea they are
mocking God's only Son, their Promised Savior and
King.

He looks at the Jewish leaders who vehemently opposed
Him throughout His ministry, who dogged His steps,
twisting and distorting His teachings. They condemned
Him to death, and then pressured the Roman governor to
crucify Him. They do not know they have driven their High
Priest to His death. He looks upon the criminals hanging
at His side, railing at Him out of their pain and anger. At
first, neither of them is aware they are spurning the
innocent Son of God, their King.
 
He looks at you and me, who quickly forget the price He
paid for our sins and repeatedly offend Him by our thoughts
and desires, and harm our neighbor by our words and deeds.

He thinks of all we deserve for what we have done. Yet,
rather than seek revenge, Jesus prays, "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." What prayer was
ever so gracious-or so difficult to ask? For Jesus knows there
is only one way His holy Father can turn His fiery wrath away
from us-and that is by unleashing it on Him.

THE PRAYER:

Jesus, my Savior, You have every right to lash out at me for
my sins. Thank You for taking my guilt on Yourself and
suffering and dying in my place. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Read Matthew 27:38-45.

TEXT: And those who passed by derided Him, wagging
their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the
temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!"
(See Matthew 27:39-40)

The physical pain Jesus endures from crucifixion is
unimaginable and surely compounded by the scorn and
ridicule hurled at Him from all sides. Out of boundless
love for these people He left His throne in heaven and
became human. In deep compassion He takes their
place suffering the Father's wrath to forgive their sins.
He sacrifices Himself in love, but His own people heap
abuse and shame on Him.

Crowds of Jews are streaming into the city to celebrate
the Passover. They pass by the cross, shaking their
heads and expressing contempt for Him. The Jewish
religious leaders who condemned Him throw away any
trace of honor and decorum and stand opposite Him,
mocking His Name, Jesus, which means "The Lord saves.
" They exclaim, "He saved others; He cannot save
Himself." Even the two criminals lash out at Him in their
pain and misery.

As a child I used a popular rhyme to protect myself from
bullies, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but
words can never hurt me." But their words, laughter and
ridicule cut deeper than any knife. Their laughter and
ridicule twisted that knife all the more.

The more you love someone and care about them, the
more it hurts when they rise up against you. The sting is
greater when you are sacrificing yourself for someone
who mocks and ridicules you for it. That is the emotional
pain Jesus endures on the cross as He pays the ultimate
price for your sins and mine.

THE PRAYER:

Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, You sought pardon and
forgiveness for those who nailed You to the cross and
heaped scorn and ridicule on You. Forgive our sins and fill
our hearts with faith and gratitude to You, and sincere love
for one another. Amen.

(Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)