There are three key pieces of speech that occur in Luke’s account of the crucifixion.
Jesus prays: ‘Father forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.’
The rulers mock: ‘You saved others. Save yourself!’
One of the criminals next to Jesus pleads: ‘Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.’
These three utterances tell us a lot about the drama that is unfolding.
Jesus continues to behave consistent with love toward others… even the others who are at that moment crucifying him. The rulers refuse see what they are doing (ref Jesus’ prayer) and demand that Jesus ‘save himself’ - which is the very antithesis of Jesus’ mission. One person has his eyes opened. The second criminal acknowledges he personally deserves to be on his cross… but Jesus does not deserve to be. He then essentially says: ‘I am with you, Jesus.’
What do you imagine you might have said if you had been caught up in this drama?
