|
Luke 23:27-29, 31-34, 35b -43 – And there followed Him [Jesus] a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for Him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ … For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide His garments. … The rulers scoffed at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” There was also an inscription over Him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “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.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
What kind of a King is this, who reigns from a cross, dressed in nothing but His own blood? Who wears a crown made of thorns and has criminals instead of courtiers at His right and left hand?
It’s a question we need to ask, because this is Jesus, and He will be our King forever—both in this world and in the next. If He’s going to be ruling the universe forever, we need to know Him and what He’s like!
And this passage alone is enough to comfort us. For this is a King who stops to comfort other people even when He’s on the way to His own death. This is a King who can forgive His executioners—and asks His Father to do that, too. This is a King who gives wonderful gifts, even though He’s a dying Man speaking to other dying men: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
This is a King whose heart is made of love—who cannot stop having mercy on other people, even when He Himself is in the worst need of His life. He reaches out with compassion to everyone who comes within reach—and His reach is as wide as creation, and more. Which is a good thing, because His love reaches even to us.
WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, You died and rose again for me. I love You, and I’m glad to be Yours forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you worry when there is a change of government and someone new comes to rule over you?
- What do you want to see in the person who rules the universe?
- Do you see that in Jesus?
|
