The Passion Narrative as it is recorded in Luke’s gospel is heard every 3 years in our current cycle of readings.  In the other years, we hear Matthew and Mark, and John’s gospel is reserved for Good Friday.  Thus, today I would like to focus on some of the details in the story that are only found in the gospel of Luke.

    As some of you may be aware, Luke is known to have been a physician.  Thus, it is not surprising that he includes a number of unique details that focus on healing and forgiveness.  For example, when one of the disciples takes a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s slave, Luke tells us that Jesus took the man’s ear and healed it.  Even when people have gathered around in order to arrest Jesus, there he is - still healing people!

    At the same time, Jesus’ mere presence seems to heal relationships.  Only Luke records that Jesus is sent over to Herod in Jerusalem.  As far as we are told, Jesus doesn’t say a word the whole time he’s with Herod.  However, once Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate again, suddenly Herod and Pilate have become friends.  Previously, we are told, they were enemies (Lk. 23:12).  Jesus’ mere presence seems to heal this relationship.

    Another relationship that is healed happens right when Jesus is on the cross and the criminal beside him repents.  Once again, Luke is the only one who includes this detail – Jesus still bringing reconciliation and healing even as he hangs on the cross.  Beside Jesus hangs a criminal who recognizes what he has done, knows that he deserves to be punished, and believes that Jesus will come as king, in spite of the fact that he is hanging on a cross dying.

    Now, I know that people are prone to be skeptical, and some might think that this man was just hedging his bets – just in case Jesus could help him.  However, it is far more likely that this man had a genuine change of heart.  For one thing, Jesus knows people’s hearts, and he would not promise Paradise to somebody whose heart was not genuinely repentant.  For another thing, we don’t know what kind of exposure this man had to Jesus prior to being crucified beside him.  Perhaps he had at least heard about Jesus’ teaching and healing.  Perhaps he had even been there when Pilate declared that Jesus was not guilty of any of the charges against him (Lk. 23:14).

    Yet, what probably had the greatest impact on this man would have been hearing Jesus’ prayer as he hung on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).  Once again, Luke is the only one who includes this powerful prayer.

    Surely, to anybody who was paying attention, this prayer would have set Jesus apart from anybody else who was being crucified.  It is very difficult to imagine anybody else praying for God to forgive those who have just nailed them to a cross.  Jesus continues to be concerned for people’s relationship with God, even as they are crucifying him.

    For us, too, Jesus is concerned about our relationship with God.  In fact, that’s why Jesus came in the first place.  When we need to repent and turn our lives around, Jesus knows it.  When we have relationships that are broken and in need of healing, Jesus knows it.  When we are in need of healing in body, mind or spirit, Jesus knows it.  However, Jesus not only knows these things, but has the power to heal and to bring forgiveness and reconciliation.

    Today, once again, we are invited to come to God, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.  As we do so, may we, like the criminal on the cross, be able to say in all sincerity, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42).  And may we, like Jesus, be able to entrust ourselves every day to God’s care, praying in faith the words of Scripture, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46; Ps. 31:5).  Amen.

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday                    Luke 22:14 - 23:56
March 28, 2010
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2010 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved