Lenten Reflection – Part 3

by DanWolgemuth on March 8, 2024

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? …for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39–43, ESV)

I’ve often heard people comment on the surprise that the announcement of the resurrection of Jesus was first communicated to women. In a male-dominated and “women-dismissing” culture, God chose women to be the first witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. A mind bender, and an equally enlightening strategy. The protocol of Jesus grates against the norms of power.

But before we arrive at an empty tomb, we have a gruesome cross. And it’s while Jesus is on the cross that we see a declaration of faith that is easy to overlook. The first clear crucifixion-informed declaration.

While a collection of family and close friends were witnessing the injustice of the execution of Christ, “a criminal” made a profession of faith. While the two men were gasping for air, while they were pressing through the final moments of excruciating pain, a nameless criminal confessed that Jesus was King. Without having witnessed three years of miracles, a criminal acknowledged that Jesus was on His way to His kingdom. The Kingdom.

At the moment when the faith of others was crumbling, a criminal verbalized his confidence in the power and position of Jesus. He went first.

“Jesus, remember me…”

What a declaration of faith. Pragmatic, for sure. But rooted in a confidence that the cross wasn’t the end for Jesus. Instead, it was a torturous gateway to paradise. A paradise that the confessing criminal wanted to experience.

“…we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Judgment deserved and acknowledged. A miscarriage of justice, defined.

Faith on the cross. Faith while watching Jesus die. Faith in real time.

While others mocked and taunted, while others recoiled and lamented… a criminal pressed forward in faith. In hope.

“Remember me, when…”

Not if, but when.

A criminal on a cross got it. And yes, his request was granted. Likely the first saint to enter paradise after the death of Jesus. He entered forgiven. He entered as a free man.

This shortens my list of excuses. My reasons for doubt. My fragile faith. “A criminal” shows the way to hope. He moved toward confidence, even while Jesus was on the cross.

Yes, the women as witnesses, and yes, a criminal as a confessor of faith.

The strategy of Jesus presses against every norm of power. Then, and now. The Good News is the best news to those who are outcast. To the brokenhearted. To those on the margins.

Still in the classroom. Still amazed.

Remember me…

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Lenten Reflection – Part 2

by DanWolgemuth on March 4, 2024

Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. (Luke 23:20–24, ESV)

He wanted a way out. As he weighed the evidence, he attempted to let justice stiff arm the crowd… “Why? What has he done?” He asked…

Why?

Quite simply, Jesus stepped on some toes. And those were the toes of power, and influence and political clout.

And so, “their voices prevailed”. Note that justice didn’t prevail. Note that honor and truth telling didn’t prevail… voices prevailed.

“So Pilate decided…”

No, Pilate caved.

He had votes to garner and a reputation to preserve, and so he caved. He clung to the wrong thing. He esteemed what never lasts.

But as we know, Pilate wasn’t the only one who caved. Peter caved too.

Under the scrutinizing questions, his resolve crumbled. His blustery self-confidence wasn’t enough.

Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.”

So yes, Peter caved.

But during another Wednesday night of introspection at the Biblical Stations of the Cross… I took inventory on the many times when I have caved. While the crowd noise swelled, and the peer pressure mounted… while the popular opinion grew, I caved.

Pragmatism polled better than righteousness.

I rationalized what I could never justify.

And so I caved.

Jesus wasn’t surprised. He knew, what we all tend to dismiss… self-reliance is a sham god. If I’m the hero, then I’m in trouble.

And I often like to write myself in as the hero… just like Peter.

In a courtyard, a servant girl, with a simple question, crushed Peter’s confidence. Because he hoped in himself.

And for Pilate, the crushing blow was political.  …but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

Politics over principal.

Fear over solidarity.

They caved. I cave. We all cave.

Because we are entirely unreliable, except to be unreliable.

But Jesus… a friend to sinners. He offers no defense during cross examination by Pilate. And to Peter, he offers grace. Forgiveness. Restoration. Just as he offers to me. To you. To the repentant. To the brokenhearted. 

A single name emerges. A name to be trusted. A name to esteem. A name above every name. The name that never caves.

He alone. 

Christ alone. A message of hope to all those who cave.

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A Lenten Reflection – Part 1

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Wednesday night I poured over the journal in front of me as I engaged for an hour at the “Biblical Stations of the Cross” at our church. Each Wednesday for four weeks. Fourteen stations. Fourteen reflections and passages of scripture. I’m not sure why this is something new to me. Something unexplored in my evangelical […]

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Best Supporting Role – Luke 1 Continued

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During the month I’ve spent a great deal of time considering the vital role of Zachariah and Mary to the birth narrative of Jesus. Their historic position in the story is a foundational building block to the efficacy of our redemption position.  And now, as we move toward Luke 2, I am focused on omission, […]

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The Tale of Two Questions – Luke 1 Continued…

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And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34, ESV) In the months that preceded the birth of Jesus, the angel […]

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