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Luke 23:33-43

Jesus Forgives Those Who Hurt Him

November 20, 2022

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Year C

ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

Good morning!
Have you ever had a day where it felt like one bad thing after another kept happening?
For example, maybe you were late for school and then you broke something and then at lunch you were supposed to have your favorite sandwich, but before you could take a bite, you spilled your milk all over it and made it squishy…and when you got home, your dog ate your shoe.
Ever have a day like that? Where it felt like EVERYTHING was going wrong?
And then, maybe what happens for you is that you start to get mad about it.
And, maybe you get so mad that when someone asks you, "Hey, what's wrong?" – you might yell at them, "Leave me alone!"
It's almost like, in those moments, that we try to share our bad day with others by making their day bad, too.

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

I bring this up because in today's scripture story, we hear that Jesus is having an incredibly bad day, too.
He's been arrested and punished for something he didn't do, and while he's slowly dying from that punishment, EVERYONE is making fun of him.
And when I say everyone, I mean the religious leaders are making fun of him, Roman soldiers are making fun of him, even one of the criminals (who is being punished just like Jesus is) is making fun of Jesus.
It is the worst of worst days for Jesus.
But, amazingly, Jesus does not get mad.
Instead, Jesus does an amazing thing and asks God to forgive the people.
Later on, when a second criminal, who was also having a really bad day, asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus did not say, "Go away! Leave me alone!"
Instead Jesus said, "You will be with me."

Because Jesus was seeking God's help (to forgive others) despite having a bad day, Jesus was then able to help make that other man’s bad day a just little bit better.

SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)

Today’s story, as sad as it is, is an important reminder that inviting God’s presence into our worst days keeps us from sharing our bad day with others…
…and, instead, helps us share God's love and forgiveness with others…
…just like Jesus did in today's story.
And that’s the Good News for today – let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Please help us…

…to ask for your help…

...even on our worst days...

…so that we can receive and share…

…your help.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted November 15, 2013
Updated on October 22, 2022
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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