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#adventcalendarday23
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With only two days until Christmas, it’s time to read Luke 23, please join me.

We are immediately assaulted with the farcical ‘trials’ by Pilate and Herod. All of our outrage at injustice boils to the surface as we read of what happened to Jesus. False accusations are resounding but neither Pilate nor Herod can actually find anything wrong to convict Jesus with.

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

And for a moment we dare to believe that justice, albeit rough, might prevail.

• If you had not heard the accounts of Jesus’ life before, how might you be expecting the ‘story’ to end? How might you be feeling?

But fear, jealousy and political expediency seemingly win the day and an innocent man is sentenced to die. Let’s reflect briefly on Jesus’ responses and final words:

³¹ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” verses 28-31 show Jesus despair for the state and future of humankind. It’s like he’s saying, “If an innocent man like me can be convicted – how bad will thing get as even more pressure is brought to bear on those in authority? Prepare for the worst!”

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This is true grace expressed through extreme torture. He looks down the pages of history and sees everything that every single one of us has done and will do and realizes that unless he makes this sacrifice right now, despite never deserving it, our sin will forever separate us from God. And he just has too much love for us to allow that to happen.

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Here’s a man who was not able to do anything other than repent in the presence of God. He’s the one who gives all of us hope – It’s never too late and there’s nothing so bad that you can’t be forgiven and welcomed into God’s Kingdom. But note again Luke’s determination to show us that a choice is required. The other criminal was not saved because he chose to ridicule Jesus instead.

⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” At the point of death, when it seems all is lost, Jesus trusts his Father.

• Where are the gifts for you in this chapter?
• Where are the challenges?
• What are the memories of past or present injustices that are recalled?
• How might you be called to let the undeserved sacrifice happen trusting that God’s will must be done?