Reflection on Luke
23:35-43
by Nan
Stokes
What a mockery to have that
inscription put on the cross of crucifixion! And, of course,
that is exactly why it was put there – to mock the Christ.
The people scoffed at him and the soldiers mocked him –
"If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" Instead Jesus
saved the penitent thief and promised him that he would be in
Paradise that day. Does this mean we can all wait until the
last minute to ask forgiveness and be promised a place in Paradise?
To be sure Christ died that all sin might be forgiven, but our
penitence must be TRUE and never too late.
Today we celebrate Christ as
King, and remember that for early Christians, that fact was
hard to believe. Their hope for a king to lead them out of bondage
was shattered as they watched their friend die on the cross
that day. Now we know about the resurrection and the events
after the crucifixion and burial, and can acknowledge that Christ
IS King. The words of Jesus to the penitent thief speak to all
of us, and are a promise to human beings about our place in
Paradise. Jesus is truly King!
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