Luke 22:14-23:56
Luke’s Passion narrative presents a number of powerful contrasts: Jesus’s way of self-giving service as opposed to the self-serving actions of those who hold power, Jesus’s way of anti-violence as opposed to the brutality of those who inflict pain, Jesus’s way of forgiveness as opposed to condemnation. Judith Jones explains that, “The whole story emphasizes the dramatic contrast between the kingdom of God and the authorities of this world.” [1] The abolitionist preacher might choose to focus on any one of these themes; however, I think one of the most poignant illustrations of this distinction is depicted in 23:39-43.
Jesus has been condemned by the state to capital punishment, public execution on a cross, and yet even as Jesus suffers the anguish of crucifixion, he offers grace to his neighbor. While leaders and soldiers and even one of the criminals crucified beside Jesus deride and mock him, another criminal proclaims Jesus’s innocence and, seemingly, his lordship. This man confesses and repents, asking Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds to the man alongside whom he hangs on a cross, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” In this singular exchange, Luke describes repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. The state has inflicted its mockery of justice upon the body of Jesus, and yet Jesus embodies the grace-filled justice of God, which redeems and renews. The horrors of incarceration and execution are on display, and yet so too is the grace of Jesus Christ.
One invitation of Passion Sunday, I believe, is to enter into the pain and darkness of Christ crucified while looking for and holding onto the and yet. Powers and principalities imprison, abuse, and execute, and yet Jesus teaches us another way, his way of grace. Our “justice” systems condemn and kill people who are often innocent, and yet Christ offers restoration and renewal to all who repent. This contrast should challenge those of us who participate in unjust systems while offering hope to those of us who suffer because of them.
Dominique DuBois Gilliard writes in Rethinking Incarceration that “Christianity revolves around Jesus, a falsely convicted criminal who was falsely charged, punitively convicted, mercilessly tortured, and unjustly sentenced to death. Given this, I would think the church would understand the necessity of thinking more restoratively about criminal justice.” [2] Additionally, Gilliard says the church is called to “pursue a justice system that builds community, affirms human dignity, and seeks God’s shalom.” [3] What are some examples of ways in which our faith communities are living out this calling? Or, how might we begin to imagine new ways our churches could participate in God’s work of renewal and restoration?
This Sunday, as we look to Christ crucified, how might we be transformed by his grace? We stand in the shadow of the cross, and yet we have hope because the cross is not the end of the story. How might we respond?
Jed Tate is a United Methodist pastor in North Carolina.
[2] Dominique DuBois Gilliard, Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, 147.
[3] Ibid., 163