“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” Luke 23.32-35
The actual crucifixion is not given in detail in Luke, yet we know from the other Gospels the actual, horrible process of nailing a person to a cross. The insults just kept coming as they placed him between two criminals, men guilty of their sins. Again, other Gospel accounts include the conversation he has with them, but Luke does not.
Jesus does say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing,” primarily to the Romans and the Jews who are killing him. They cast lots for his clothes. The rulers were sneering at him and mocked him again by saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The truth was, ironically, that his very offering of his life was the sacrifice. As evil surrounded him, Jesus was imputed with the sin of the world, falling upon his body, resulting in salvation for all. He humbled himself even to death, Paul would later write. Like a lamb to the slaughter, he did not open his mouth except to forgive.
Now that Christ has performed the ultimate sacrifice and his blood has become an atonement for our sins, we have the opportunity to embrace it, live into it, and be saved by it. We are given the grace to say yes to the Messiah who died for our sins and rose again. This is what life is about: living freely in the presence of a loving God who did not spare his Son to save us.
And so today, a final day in the mountains, with beauty all around, I lift my eyes to the Maker of all things and the Bearer of all sins, who overcame death so I might have life. My identity is not based on what I accomplish, but on who stood in the gap so I could have access to the Father. And so I praise him, giving him glory, submitting my life to the One who gave his for me.
“O Lord God, come now, fill me, find me, help me to be faithful. Walk with me in goodness and mercy. Shield and protect me so I might live for your glory and with your praise upon my lips. Come now, Holy God, I exalt your name. I confess my waywardness and ask you to sanctify me by your love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen