The Good Friday Gospel (Luke 23:32-43)
Luke’s account of the crucifixion provides a succinct yet vivid portrayal of the gospel message. Within the span of a few verses the essence of the Christian message is clearly and forcefully put on display.
The Community
Luke provides us with a diverse community of people who are present during the crucifixion. “Soldiers,” “rulers,” “people” and at two “criminals” comprised the motley fabric of people who were present.
Five Reactions
Critical to understanding the gospel message were the different reactions to the crucifixion. First, the ‘people’ who were present were ‘watching’ and ‘deriding’ the Messiah (35, Mt. 27:39) Second, the ‘rulers’ (chief priests, scribes, elders) ‘scoffed at him,’ “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (35) Third, the soldiers also ‘mocked him,’ taunting the Lord with a similar phrase to that of the religious rulers, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (37) Fourth, one of the criminals ‘railed’ or ‘blasphemed’ the Messiah with an invective strikingly similar to the preceding abusive chorus, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (39) The unanimity of scorn makes the fifth and final reaction that much more significant. The fifth and final reaction forms the framework for the authentic gospel message. The second criminal crucified next to Jesus rebukes the first, warning him of the impending judgment and condemnation that they both face and both deserve. (41) That the second criminal sees the justice of his condemnation as he is being crucified is indeed a miracle. It is a supernatural revelation from God to see one’s depravity, guilt, and the corresponding punishment and condemnation. It is precisely this ‘revelation’ from God which forms a critical background and context to the salvation process. ‘Salvation’ must always come within the context of mankind’s utter destitution and hopeless depravity before Holy God, and the wrath of God which corresponds to each infraction of the law. It is only within this context that a man can make a genuine plea to God for grace and mercy. Thus the criminal’s next revelation is that God will grant him mercy in spite of the justice of his condemnation, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (42) God has revealed to the criminal his love and mercy regardless of the justice of his condemnation. It is also noteworthy that the criminal recognizes Jesus to be a king. This too was revealed supernaturally, in light of the fact that Jesus appeared to be anything but a king having been beaten and scourged ‘beyond any human semblance.’ (Isaiah 52:14) In light of the criminal’s repentance and plea for mercy, Jesus admits the criminal into his Kingdom, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (43)
The Gospel Message
The ‘gospel’ is good news. What is the ‘news’ or information? The news is that God has not left us in our depravity, but has provided a means for salvation in spite of ourselves. Essential and prior to the ‘good’ news of salvation is to comprehend, as the criminal did, the justice of our condemnation. It is when a man sees the gravity of his condition that he stands ready to plead to God for a pardon.
By introducing people prematurely to ‘salvation,’ we may inadvertently prevent the gospel from taking root. Without a prior understanding of the destitution of the human condition, people may wonder why they need to be saved in the first place.
The criminal’s salvation timeline
1. Fear of God 2. Revealed sin and guilt 3. Justice of condemnation 4. Reception of God’s Mercy.
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Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
(John Newton, 1725) |
