Reflections on Luke 23:35-43
35 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!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Save yourself. Those two words are very convicting to someone like me.
If you don’t know my story, it’s very simple. I gave my heart to Christ when I was four. I was a good girl. I grew up reading my Bible. I went to church every time the doors were open and much to my dismay I wore a dress just like my dad wanted me to. I sang songs about Jesus and had all the Psalty the Singing Songbook records for our record player and knew all the hand motions. I volunteered in everything from puppet ministry to the “mime” ministry (yes, unfortunately that’s true). I went on mission’s trips. I prayed and wept at the altar. And then I prayed and wept at the altar some more. I stayed out of trouble and always wanted to do the right thing. And God was very much a part of my journey.
So why are these 2 words so convicting? Save yourself.
I have held the high opinion from others as being “good” for many years. Four years old was a long time ago when I started to follow in the steps of Jesus. I think I have learned to crave that high opinion from others. I seek it. I work for it. I bow my knee to it.
Do I think I’m so good that I can save myself?
There must come a point of realization through the work of the Holy Spirit that those righteous acts are like filthy rags. Those filthy rags could never save myself.
I too need reminding – The criminal said, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
It’s easy to forget the truth of who I am when I am focused on being good rather than being forgiven.
They told Jesus, “Save yourself.” And He could have.
Unlike myself, He lived a sinless life. HE is good.
But God in all his power and glory chose to die a criminal’s death on a cross for me and for you.
How grateful I am that One so good is mindful of me, a criminal. And then He loved me. He loved me so much to forgive me and let me experience His presence every day in my life. And truly I will be with Him in Paradise.
*thoughts I shared for the Good Friday service.
