“Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death…’ But they were urgent, demanding that he be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate… released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will…
“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. And the people stood by, watching, but 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.’” Luke 23:20-25,32-33,39-43
The passions of men twist the patterns of justice, evident in the trials and crucifixion of our Lord. A mixture of hatred, fear, misunderstood motives, and angst fueled the crowds to shout for a criminal’s release and an innocent’s death. It’s likely they couldn’t even explain why, like so many drawn into a frenzy by sinister provocateurs and the media today. After all, what had Jesus ever done to harm them? Surely they knew those helped by His ministry of love and healing and gospel truth.
But our enemy is intent on confusion, lies, and destruction, so in God’s perfect economy and sovereign plan of redemption, Jesus was condemned to Calvary. Two thieves, both deserving their punishment, saw things two ways. One was caustic and faithless, flippantly demanding cheap grace. The other understood what was happening, confessed his guilt and Jesus’s worthiness, and appealed in reverential fear for His mercy. (John 10:10)
When we are in the throes of injustice, as observers or victims, the flesh often distorts right assessment of God’s intent. It helps to step away and behold the One in the middle, willingly crucified for the criminals beside Him and around and within us. He died to take our angst and malice and haughty cackling, our inverted sense of desert and ugly attitudes of superiority, to the tomb, forever.
Have I grasped my wretchedness before Christ? Do I blame Him for heartaches and troubles, or thank Him for daily mercies? How will a fresh look at the cross, and His grace toward the penitent, affect the way I see myself, and see and love others? (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Lord, keep me near the cross, rejoicing in and reflecting its mercies.
As the rain and snow 