Last Sunday of the Church Year: Gospel, Luke 23:27-43            

Luke 23:27-43

As we close this year of the church I am just beginning daily reading, or nearly daily reading in Luke’s precious gospel. At the same time I look to this week’s gospel lesson and I find it closing in on the end of that marvelous account. Luke’s chapters are long. They are full and fully colored. One should tread in prayer through this account. Details abound here that we find nowhere else. May I add: read it unhurried.

Today we find our Savior lifted between two other criminals. And the account brings us at least a part of their discourse. It strikes me that what we first hear from both of those crucified on either side of Jesus is open mockery of Him. I guess I could expect that from the crowd assembled below His feet. At least from those who paved the way of the Via Dolorosa with spit, rock throwing and cascades of verbal abuse. But to hang within hours of one’s own death and yet abusing another, and that one with no personal responsibility for your own plight. Nearness isn’t always likeness. But the careful Bible reader knows what comes eventually.

One of the two hanging on the hill with the Nazarene begins to change. Better, he is changed. As is always the case, the gifts of God come from the outside. The Spirit’s work is just that, His. And the work He performs is marvelous and saving. One criminal remains hardened and for all we know from the text, dies on his own and goes to his own place (think Judas Iscariot). But the other, by the most mysterious work of God is repented by the Spirit and is gifted a vision of Jesus that aligns with His entire reason for coming: rescuing the absolutely helpless. No, being physically close to Jesus doesn’t guarantee salvation. But I for one am glad that we have been given, by Holy Scripture, a place to watch and listen. And to remember that God is present and working. The repentant malefactor is proof. Jesus is glorified. And another son enters paradise at the side of his God. Amen!