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By Such Stripes Are We Healed
by Jack Shaver

©The United Church of Canada, 1985
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 0-88622-196-X
7M/12/85/APL
Used with Permission

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Friday
What one thief saw

Luke 23: 32-43

Last week we reflected on a very similar reading. It was Matthew's account of the crucifixion of Jesus. We reflected on the irony of the mocking jeers shouted by members of the crowd: "He saved others, he cannot save himself." "He is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross and we will believe in him." "He trusts in God, let God deliver him now, for he said 'I am the son of God.'" The robbers who were crucified with him joined in the chorus.

The story is told as though no one present got the point. We have come to see that all the things that were said about Jesus that were supposed to prove that he was not the Christ were of the very essence of his being the Christ. But at the time of the crucifixion, nobody understood; not the soldiers, the religious leaders, the disciples, nor any members of the crowd. Both Matthew and Mark report that, at his arrest, the disciples forsook Jesus and fled.

However, when you put all the accounts together, insight is not totally lacking. There is a glimmer here and there of understanding. In Luke's account, the centurion in command of the core of Roman soldiers, when he saw how Jesus died, praised God and said, "Truly this was a righteous man!" What is it that Luke has ears for here? Why would anyone praise God when he saw crucifixion being done to a righteous man?

Further, in Luke's account there is another interesting variation. His record has it that one of the criminals joined in the general derision, but that the other did not, 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."

Here we have someone who thought that one who suffered a sentence of condemnation unjustly had a kingdom he was going to. Here we have someone who wants to join such a kingdom. He came to be called "the penitent thief". The church gave him a name and made him a saint.

It seems to me that Luke reveals an ear for the essential faith in the way in which he recounts the stories. This centurion and this criminal are the first believers. Instead of seeing something to curse God about as they observe this unjust suffering of a righteous man, the one sees something to praise God about, the other sees into the heart of God's desirable kingdom.

Petition
Holy God,
hear our prayer for the church.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on the church,

so that it will recognize your glory in the crucified one;
so that it cannot use its piety to escape you;
so that it cannot use its authority to tyrannize people;
so that it never ceases to attack the gates of hell;
so that it never uses its power of the keys to exclude anyone;
so that it becomes a high and lifted-up witness to your love of
sinners.

Dear God, we are praying for us, not about them, as though the church were someone else.

Come upon us, Holy Spirit.

Witness in our hearts to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Reconcile us to each other, and pour through us your ministry of reconciliation.

Almighty God,

hear our prayer for the state; for those who govern nations and communities. Reign, o righteous one, in the hearts and minds of those who have power because of wealth or political position.
Give them ears to hear the cries of the needy,
eyes to see unjust conditions,

courage to confront evil and corruption,
wisdom in dealing with complex issues,
humility to recognize loyal opposition,
strength, so that they weary not in well doing.

Dear God, we are praying for us, not for them as though we were not part of the state.
Come Holy Spirit, witness to the approach of God's kingdom and keep us watchful for its sudden appearance, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen