Scripture/Sermon of the Day

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah 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 there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I. Today is an odd day on the Christian calendar — it’s a day of celebration — and mourning. So, should we be happy — or sad? Do we yell, “Hooray!” Or “God have mercy on us!” We kill Jesus and afterwards throw him victory party and crown him King of the Universe.

II. So it’s a day of confusion. And our reading this morning doesn’t clear things up, but makes matters worse. Because we see Jesus crucified — for the second time this year — and crucified on either side of him are the notorious criminals, Jeffrey Epstein and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman!!!! One man a pedophile and child-sex-trafficker and the other who is responsible for executing of hundreds or even thousands of people. Jesus is between them.

III. But that’s not what’s most troubling about this grim picture the gospel of Luke gives us. What’s really upsetting is that Jesus guarantees one of the criminals a place with him that day in heaven — and if we study the teachings of Jesus — he’s almost certainly going to bring the other criminal, bin Salman, to heaven with him too!!! And neither of these men have repented. Neither have called him their lord and savior. Neither has an interest in the Bible, or worship, or God, or other human beings — and Jesus is offering them heaven?

IV. What kind of king is this? What kind of savior is this? You mean, he will save us as we are? He will give us heaven for no reason except that it makes him feel good? What’s the use of being so good and doing the right things when we’re all going to end up in paradise anyway?

V. Well, like I told you in Bible Study, I just ask the questions — I don’t have answers to them. That’s what Advent is for — it’s four weeks to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus Christ in us. Because we believe that before we are finished with this life that we will love with the same unconditional love as Jesus did — the criminals, the sex-offenders, the murderers, strangers, our family. Jesus Christ, the king of the universe, who loves everyone through us.