This Lent we follow Jesus as he faces evil in the hours before his death. What is evil? Who is doing evil against Jesus during Passion Week? What are ways in which we are complicit in evil? Do we take evil seriously? As we experience evil in our own lives, discover how Jesus stands in the face of evil.
Invocation
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, who delivers us from all evil.
Invitation Prayer
Lord Jesus, you suffered evil at the hands of the religious establishment. Priests accused you of blasphemy. In their trial against you, they called the Good Shepherd evil. Forgive your people when we call evil good and good evil. We are sheep easily led astray. Renew us to be your people, clean and holy. Amen.
Word
Luke 23:41
“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Meditation: Poor, Miserable Sinner by Susan Becher Schultz
When I came across this verse in our text today I realized I probably wouldn’t be the person on the cross advocating for Jesus. I like to think that I would do the right thing, that I too would stick up for Jesus at the end of my life. But the other guy had a fair point. Jesus had the power to save all of them, including himself. I, unlike the other guy, know the context and the outcome of this story. But he didn’t. Jesus proceeds by praising the one who speaks up for him. And I find myself, once again, frustrated. Maybe it’s because I see more of myself in the person who insults Jesus rather than defends him. It makes me wonder where grace fits into all of this.
For some reason, this verse I chose hits me right where it hurts. There is a person here who does the right thing, and in a verse that comes before, one who does the wrong thing. I’ve been struggling with a coworker who is several years my junior, who seems to always be praised for doing the right thing. They go out of their way to earn more praise, sometimes going over my head to get it. All I can see, in my very biased view, is how they are favored and I am not. I thought, maybe, I could get away from that feeling. But I feel like this text is calling me to confront it.
This is when I turn to my husband and hash out thoughts until they start to make some sort of sense. It’s cheating a little bit, having a pastor in the next room, I know. After a much-heated discussion, he helped me find that the power of this verse comes not from being right or wrong, but from the admission of wrongdoing. This verse paints a very striking picture of what it is to admit the need for grace, and what it is to believe you don’t need grace at all. It’s not a matter of who Jesus favors, but who openly accepts their punishment. One who wishes to repent, and one who thinks they have nothing to repent of.
All of this gives new meaning, to me, to the words “I, a poor, miserable sinner.” This confession is one I blindly repeat every Sunday but makes much more sense now. I also think of Peter as he begins to sink in the water even though Jesus urges him to be not afraid. It’s not a matter of good and bad, but a matter of trusting in God’s grace to buoy you up when you have no power of your own. Trusting in God even when you don’t know what comes next.
However, with this newfound perspective, I still don’t know if I would be the one on the cross to humble myself before God. It’s a painful thing to admit that there is still so much about grace I do not understand. There is much in me still ruled by fear. Fear that I won’t ever measure up in the eyes of others.
I think though, if I’m starting to get this, I can admit it’s okay that I don’t measure up. That it’s okay to hand over this fear of imperfection because as a human I will always fall short. I can begin with admitting I am wrong far more times than I am right. This is who Jesus welcomes into his kingdom. Not those who do all the ‘right’ things. But those who are willing to admit they’ve done the wrong things.
Dear Lord, please help me to accept my limitations and imperfections. Remind me of the grace you give to me when I struggle to give those around me the same grace. Continue to teach me how to better love others as I learn all the ways you love me. Amen.
Sending
In the face of evil, may the God of faithfulness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Jesus Christ. Amen.