Luke 23:27-43 — Jesus was a
king on the cross. His enemies did not realize the truth of the mockery, “If
you are the King of the Jews.” The political authorities also did not
realize what they wrote, “This is the king of the Jews.” On Palm Sunday
the faithful sang praises to their king – ‘Behold, your king is coming to
you.” In the gospel lesson there are various reactions to this king. The
people – they watched from a distance. They were mere spectators – v. 35. The
rulers – they were scoffers and cynics – v. 35. The soldiers – they mocked and
ridiculed – v. 36. Sinners – the offered prayers and petitions of penitence –
Vv. 39-43.
Jesus simply
prayed, “Father forgive them.” Father forgive them for they know not what they
do.” Such patience is hard to imagine. But Jesus took this for He knew that
this was the only way to merit and win for us salvation. There was no other way
to save us. The cruel cross of Calvary was the only way out for you, for me.
There can be no other options. For us to receive the Forgiveness of sins, life
and salvation we must look only to Christ and Christ alone. Our own works will
not do. Our own will cannot sustain us. Only in Christ is there salvation and
life. As we look forward to the celebration of Christ the King Sunday remember
that Jesus has borne for you the cruelty of the cross and in that cross you
glory. For the cross stands as a sign and a seal of your forgiveness.
Collect
for Proper 29: Lord Jesus Christ, You reign among us by the
preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being
governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at least in to Your eternal
paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God,
now and forever. [2]
Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost
22: O God, Thou who are “untamed and perilous” who
doest “deal in every form of danger and many modes of death,” strip us of our
pretensions and vanities; expose to the strong his weakness, and to be wise his
folly but set in our hearts an unconquerable hope and in Thine own way fulfill
it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. [3] Amen
-18 November, 2022
[2] Collect for Proper 29, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 22, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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