The Crucifixion

Today's Reflections

          

The Crucifixion 

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Lk 23:35-43

³⁵[As Jesus hung on the cross,] the people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” ³⁶Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine ³⁷they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” ³⁸Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” ⁴⁰The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? ⁴¹And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Reflection:

This is the King of the Jews. This inscription on the cross describes Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is king—but a crucified king, bloodied and crowned with thorns, with the cross as his throne. As he had said, he “did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28). This is our king, but he rules by serving, and he serves even to the point of laying down his life for those whom he serves.

Jesus shows himself, however, as a king who can give royal favors. In the Gospel, he gives royal pardon to the criminal who turns to him with the request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He promises the criminal that he will be with Jesus in paradise that very day.

This is our king. He rules in love to the point of sacrifice. He gives not only paradise but eternal life to those who believe in him and accept him as king. Let us imitate his kind of royalty by serving in love to the point of sacrifice.

As Jesus gave hope to the dying criminal,

let us give hope to others

by our generosity towards them.