Luke 23: 35-43
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 into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Crucifixion was a method of execution used by the ancient world, particularly the Romans, not to only kill the person being crucified, but also to publicly humiliate them.
Crucifixion was a slow, excruciating death in which the crucified person lost all dignity. The scoffing, the derision, and the mocking were all a part of this process.
But Christ used the crucifixion as an opportunity to forgive others, to lift others up, to offer others everlasting life, and to show the world the love of God.
In God’s hands, even the worst situations can be transformed and used for His glory.
May the love of Christ be with you,
Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)