Upside-Down Christmas: Luke 23

Luke 23

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Welcome to our podcast called Upside-Down Christmas. We’ve been working our way through the Gospel of Luke one chapter at at time looking at the way the birth, life, ministry, and now the death of Jesus turns the world upside down. Chapter 23 tells the story of the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus.

And one of the threads that runs throughout this chapter is the question of deserving. What is it that the people deserve? When the people bring Jesus to Pilate, Pilate finds no fault in him and offers to release him with a beating. Matthew says that Pilate perceived that it was out of envy that they had had Jesus arrested. And when they refuse to be quieted, Pilate releases to them a man named Barabbas who had been arrested for insurrection and murder. The one who is deserving of punishment and death is released; but the one who is innocent is condemned to die.

And likewise, there are others who are set free from their guilt and punishment, though they fully deserve it. Only instead of because of corruption and violence, it’s because of Jesus’ mercy and love.

There’s those very soldiers and their ilk who nail Jesus to the cross, who hang him up to die. Amazingly, as they are actively murdering him, Jesus pronounces a blessing on them. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

And then there’s the criminals between whom Jesus was hung—one on his right and one on his left. The one reviled him. But the other took a completely different attitude. One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, 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.”(Luke 23:39-41) Each of these men were deserving of the sentence that they were getting. The first one, though, railed against God for not rescuing him. He demanded to be saved, demanded that he be rescued, caring nothing for his guilt or innocence. In a way, he was blaming God for his condition rather than taking responsibility for himself and his actions.

But the other was different. You see he deserved his sentence because of his crimes—whatever those were. But he doesn’t blame Jesus for what’s happened to him. He doesn’t rail against him or demand anything. Instead, before the Lord, he humbly accepts responsibility for the choices that he has made. And then he simply asks for mercy. Amazingly, Jesus grants it. And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

These episodes turn the whole idea of deserving upside down. Because we have this idea that we should all get what we deserve. And when we feel like we’re not getting what we deserve, we become angry. Some of us even become angry with God. But what we’re missing when we do that is what the second thief understood—that what we all really deserve is the same condemnation.

In fact, it’s as though these two thieves are a picture of humanity itself. It’s not that one is righteous and the other guilty, and they are judged accordingly. Instead, the difference between them is not their guilt and innocence, but their disposition toward God. One is demanding about what he thinks he deserves; he’s prideful, railing against God. The other is humble, taking responsibility for his actions and asking not for what he deserves but for mercy.

As it turns out, it isn’t about just desserts like we think it is. Instead, it’s all about mercy—something of which we are all desperately in need. Thanks be to God that he has mercy on the humble. Pray with me.

Lord, we confess with the second thief that we are in need of mercy because, very much unlike yourself, we are deserving of the punishment. We deserve to be rejected and cast out, to be executed for our crimes against you and against your creation—against our fellow image bearers! We have nothing to count on but your mercy. Thank you for the testimony which shows us you are indeed merciful. Like the thief, we ask that you would remember us when you come into your kingdom. Amen.

Family Devotional:

Read Luke 23:26-43

It might seem strange to be reading about Jesus’ death at Christmas when normally we read about his birth. As Christmas Eve approaches it is easy to become caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the anticipation of giving and receiving, and the joy of Christ’s birth.

Why did Jesus come to Earth in the first place? Can you remember why?

This bible reading today may seem full of sadness. But it’s actually something to marvel at.

We’ve just read a whole lot about how Jesus served and loved and defended and led people into forgiveness and healing and joy. But now, they mocked him and beat him and killed him.

And he let it happen. His bullies were right! He could have come down and saved himself, but he didn’t. He forgave them and comforted others as he died. He stayed on task, he saved us instead. He died to make a way for us to live with him forever!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Let’s celebrate a baby who was born to die, so that we could live with him forever!

Do you believe that? Talk to your family about what it means to follow Jesus.

If you already believe that, talk about how you can remember the cross at Christmas as a family next year. Maybe you can start a new tradition.