Just before the Valentines Day the
sporting world was shocked to learn that Oscar Pistorius popularly known as the
“blade runner” allegedly killed his girl friend Reeva Steenkamp a 29 year old
South African Model. Another tragic loss of life! Following the tragedy Reeva’s
uncle Mike Steenkamp made a refreshing statement saying, “I would like to meet
Oscar Pistorius and forgive the man who killed my niece “That way I can find more peace with the
situation,” he told CNN’s Drew Griffin during an interview that he would
forgive Pistorius whether the shooting was an accident or not. “Whatever,
whatever the outcome. I feel with my belief and if Christ could forgive when he
died on the cross, why can’t I?”[1]
What a courageous statement of
forgiveness! When I hear such statements it makes me think that that this world
we live in is not all that bad; there are some who still believe in the message
of forgiveness. The world needs this message so desperately. While Jesus was
hanging between life and death on the cross said. “Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do.” Why should Jesus offer any forgiveness, especially
towards those who ordered His execution? Yet Jesus prayed for
forgiveness because it was his mission to forgive, though it cost Him His
life. It is not easy to forgive, yet forgiveness is what the Cross
is all about. God placed all our sins on Jesus on the cross so that you and I
might be forgiven of our sins.
Let’s look at how Christ exhibited
“Radical Forgiveness” in Luke 23: 33-43. According to
the traditional church calendar we are entering the Holy week. The Holy week is
the week preceding Easter and the final week of Lent. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
During the
Holy Week, Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ, on Good Friday we
remember his death for the sins of mankind. Before we delve into the message of
the Cross let me point out some ironies. In fact the crucifixion itself is the
great irony. It doesn’t make sense to the common mind. The scriptures say that,
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!
But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” I Cor 1:18 (NLT)
Oh! How we thank God for the Cross without which we have no redemption.
I. THE GREAT IRONY:
The whole
act of crucifixion from beginning until its end is filled with one big
Irony. The innocent one who committed no
violence was accused of subverting the nation and stirring up trouble. The king
of the universe stands meek before Governor Pontius Pilate. There was no
reasonable evidence to suggest that Jesus committed any of the allegations
against him. In fact Pilate himself said three times, “I find no basis for a
charge against this man.” (Luke 23:4) Yet the crowds sought for the highest
punishment according to the law; the death penalty. The crowds: some of them perhaps
were healed by him; ate the bread and fish and blessed by his teachings now
have turned against Him, shouting Crucify him! Crucify him! A man who knew no
sin was cowardly handed over to be crucified while a rebel and a murderer was released.
The
creator of the world now in the hands of those he created; mocked; beaten up;
humiliated and finally hung on the cross like a criminal between two robbers. Has
this humiliating situation changed his relationship with the father? In no way it was jeopardized He still called
God, “Father” How would you address God if you are to go through such pain? Do
you curse him or still call him “Father? Jesus interceded for both Jews and
Romans. Jesus not only asked God to extend forgiveness to his tormentors but he
himself granted forgiveness to a repentant criminal in his final hours as the
true Messiah.
II. RADICAL FORGIVENESS:
The gospel writer Luke included
more details of the crucifixion in his gospel where the other writers either have
omitted or paid not much attention. Luke explains in detail about the mockery
of the religious leaders, the Roman soldiers and the executed criminals. Though
all these three groups mocked at Jesus the most dishonoring mockery came from
the criminals whose place in the mainstream society has already been
categorically dismissed.
Let me set the scene for you. Two men were crucified at the same time as Jesus, one on
his right hand and one on his left. We read in Vs 39, “One of the criminals who
hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!
This insult was loaded with sarcasm and aimed at undermining the very purpose
of Christ’s coming into this world which is “to seek and save what was lost.”
Luke 19:10, The first thief lacked the fear of God. He did not recognize Jesus
as the true savior of the world. As always Christ refused to act on the demand
of the first thief. Was Christ not really capable of saving himself and the
thieves? No! Then what can we make of his refusal? We must realize here that
Jesus’ unwillingness to act was not a sign of impotence instead it was a sign
of absolute humility and the act of ultimate submission to God.
The
Apostle Paul while writing to the Philippians explains this unparalleled
obedience of Christ. Philippians 2: 5-8,
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death even death on a cross.” Coming back to the story! The second
thief got a few things right. Firstly he rebuked his friend for his irreverence
and sarcasm. Secondly, he accepted the fact that he was guilty of doing wrong
and was justly being punished for it.
Thirdly;
he affirmed Christ’s innocence by saying, “this man has done nothing wrong.”
Fourthly; He recognized Christ as the true king and one day he was going to
come back and establish His Kingdom on the earth. Fifthly; he repented and
accepted Christ as his personal savior, by just calling him “Jesus” just how the
sinners; tax collectors and the ordinary folk in the society used to call him
just “Jesus” Unlike the first thief who was only concerned about his earthy
rescue so that perhaps he could go back to his robbery and murderous life
style; the second thief was concerned about his eternal destination. He just
could not assume that he was going to get there because he knew how lost he was
if anything was going to save him, it had to be the sheer mercy of God, so he
said; “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus assured him
and said, “I will tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”
This
statement has raised quite a few theological questions. What did he mean when
he said; “today According to Randy Alcorn the author of “Heaven” when Jesus
said today you will be with me in paradise he was referring to the intermediate
Heaven.”[2]
As we
approach Good Friday; let’s reflect on the events surrounding the cross and the
conversation between Jesus and thieves. They remind us of a few simple truths.
Firstly; in our sinful nature we too are like those two thieves who hurled
insults at Jesus. Secondly; though both the thieves saw Jesus from a close
proximity one hardened his heart and died in his unrepentant state while the
other repented and was assured eternal life. The choice is ours. Even after
seeing what Jesus has done in our lives and in the lives of others we can remain
hard hearted or choose to repent. Thirdly; Christ not only forgives our sins
but also expects us to forgive others when they sin against us.
In closing
let’s pray the prayer our Lord has taught his disciples: “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts (sins) as we also
have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever Amen.
