Dying (and living) with Jesus

Sermon planned for Sunday, November 21, 2010

Texts: Luke 23:33-43; Colossians 1:11-20

I invite you to turn, with me, in your bibles to the gospel of Luke, chapter twenty-three. Our passage this morning is the familiar story of Jesus’ crucifixion – the story of how he died. It’s a fascinating story even as it is serious and grim. It’s a story that breaks our heart, but it also gives us great hope and joy. It’s a story of humanity’s lowest moment – when we banded together to put an end to the life of our only Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s a story of humanity’s greatest moment – when God showed us the extent of His love for us, when Jesus willingly gave up his life for us, dying on the cross for our sins.

We look at this text on this day when we remember those who have died this past year. I’m not sure how many of you are aware of this, but this Sunday – Eternity Sunday – is the last Sunday of the Christian calendar. Next week, when we celebrate Advent, we begin again with the Light breaking into the Darkness, with the promised Messiah. Our worship calendar is organized in this way – that we begin by revisiting our hope in Christ’s coming. Although Jesus was born in a stable over two thousand years ago, Advent is a time that helps us slow down a bit, and realize that we are still in a period of waiting. We’re not awaiting the Messiah’s birth – we are waiting for Jesus’ return. That’s how the Christian worship calendar begins – by intentionally focusing on Jesus’ second coming.

But this morning – Eternity Sunday – finishes off the calendar by reminding us of what Jesus came to do. In our reading from Luke, we hear about Jesus’ death on the cross; and in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we read about Jesus’ reconciling work. This morning we want to explore these texts, but we’re also doing this while remembering those who have died in the past year. Their death is one that is connected to Jesus’ death. We’re going to explore that in a bit. What is the promise made to the thief on the cross? What promise does Jesus have for us this morning? What is he calling us to do? What Word does Jesus give us to proclaim in our world today?

What is the connection between the deaths of our loved ones and the death of Jesus Christ? The text from the gospel of Luke points us towards an answer. Read with me verse 33: “When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” This verse explains the “where” question of Jesus’ death. Where did he die? They took him to a place called ‘the Skull’, which was called ‘Golgotha’ in Hebrew. And then we learn that Jesus was crucified ‘there with the criminals’; one on each side. Picture that scene; and then recall the words we heard from Colossians: “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” and this Jesus they crucified “there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” The One who was there at the beginning of it all, is now also there with these dying thieves. In the first chapter of the gospel of John, we learn that Jesus, the Word made Flesh, was with God the Father in the beginning and that everything that has been made came into being through Jesus the Word. Contrary to the beliefs of many heretics of our time, the Son of God has always been, just as God the Father, and the Holy Spirit have always been. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega – the first Word, and the last Word.

This was especially true for these thieves hanging on each side of Jesus, the Son of God. They were created through the Word, and now that same Word was hanging there, beside them, dying with them. Swiss-German theologian Karl Barth asks which is the greater mystery, that Jesus would spend his last hours in such poor company, or that these thieves would perish in such fine company? Mysterious as it is, it was predicted. Luke highlights the parts of Jesus’ death that are foretold in the Psalms. The Psalms point out that the suffering servant would be mocked, ridiculed, that his clothes would be divided, and it even mentions that he will be given sour wine to drink. Luke points out these parts of Jesus’ story, and its clear to us that this horrid execution was a long-time coming. As the gospel of John has it, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.” It would not know him – it chose to reject him.

The entire history of humanity is played out in this scene from the gospel of Luke. Here we see rebellious humanity and repentant humanity. We hear words of rebellion and words of repentance and faith. The one thief beside Jesus derided him. The Greek verb is blasfhme,w, which is of course where we get the English ‘blaspheme’. Luke uses the verb only three times, and in each case it’s a serious insult. But here, with Jesus the Word made Flesh, hanging right beside him, this thief blasphemes. He makes a mockery of God! “Are you not the Messiah?” Of course he is. You wouldn’t need to ask that question if you would pay any kind of attention to the life he lived, or to the things he taught. And yet, even today there are many who still confusingly ask, “is this Jesus the Real Thing?” Is he ‘the One’? The thief’s question continues in our time – in fact, it is the great question of unbelief in our world today. His words and teachings are easy to get a hold of; and yet obedience to his teachings is a rare thing to find. The name “Jesus Christ” is heard on most people’s tongues, and yet there are but a few that swear allegiance to his name. The disobedience and rebellion we see today was also already present there, hanging beside Jesus, in this man who blasphemed the Son of God.

But if humanity’s rebelliousness was present, then also humanity’s opportunity to repent and confess. Upon hearing the blasphemy, the other thief spoke up. He raised his voice to confront the blasphemy. Can we say that we would have done the same? Do we do so today, in our time, and in our world that’s filled with blasphemy? Are we not too much the ‘quiet in the land’? Would a Mennonite have ever spoken up to challenge this blasphemer on the cross? Do we stand up today to rebuke the way Jesus’ name is mocked in our culture? The thief couldn’t keep quiet. “Do you not fear God?” For a guy that was on his last leg, this thief sure had his wits about him. This is precisely the question that must be asked of our blaspheming culture. It is the question that confronts all of human history. “Do you not fear God?” In the face of rampant immorality, against the reality of thousands of infants killed in abortion, in the face of idolatrous militarism, in light of cancerous greed, in the face of numbing apathy, against self-reliance and affluence – we must ask, “Do you not fear God?”

This question gives us a glimpse at the answer we asked for earlier. What is the connection between Jesus’ death and the death of our loved ones? What’s the point of contact between what Jesus went through on the cross and the termination of life that you and I will also one day experience? In this precious moment – when God and man hung side by side in shared agony – the thief turned to Jesus in faith. This thief saw something in Jesus – he knew that this man was innocent; but more than that, he was willing to throw his entire life into Jesus’ arms. This thief on the cross saw this beauty and he made the good confession. Jesus is the blameless one – he was without sin.

That’s hard for us to get our minds around. You and I are so good at sinning, we’re confused when we try to think of what a life might look like that is free of sin. Even the people that we’re remembering today can be called saints only by the grace of God. In their own time, they were sinners just like you and I. It’s only in Jesus Christ that our friends have become holy. As a boy I often wondered what that would have been like to hang out with Jesus and never see him sin, or do anything wrong. I think it’s hard to imagine because we don’t see any examples of that level of holiness in our time. And yet, these words rolled off the tongue for this thief at Jesus’ side. “We are getting what we deserve for our sinful deeds” he said, “but this man has done nothing wrong.” And after making this statement – perhaps only realizing the full meaning of those words just as he finished saying them – only then did the thief realize that there was one thing left to do – to turn to Jesus.

Our friends who we remember today lived more or less good lives. They had great days, and they had not so great days. Some days they lived a saintly life, other days they caved-in and fell short. We’re walking that same winding road, you and I. I think of a man like Clarence Toews. Like many of you, Clarence only showed me his good side. I’m sure some of you knew him a lot better than I did, and so you came to know his weaknesses as well. I cherish the things I do remember of him. I remember the first week I moved to town. It was two weeks before I began at the office – December 15th, 2008 to be exact. It was a cold week. After we got settled into our new home, I wandered off, one very early morning, to Punky’s, as it was called then. When I opened the door I knew I had moved to the right town – the place reminded me of ‘The Ruby’ from Corner Gas. And of course, there was a table of guys, sitting and having coffee. Most of the faces were unfamiliar, but as I awkwardly asked if I could join them, I recognized John Schroeder and Clarence Toews from the photo directory, and the pictures and names that I had memorized before moving here.

Clarence was one of the first men to speak up, at the table, and introduce me to the group. He and John quickly assured me that I was in the right place – that this group of farmers and laborers were an open group. I have always felt welcomed since. I heard about similar stories from others; one example is when a man was sitting all by himself and Clarence invited him to join the farmer’s table. He made a new friend that day. This is part of the picture that I have of our brother Clarence – a man who made sure others felt welcome. His life was an example for me, for all of us. But even more so than that, it was the last few weeks that really shone bright for us. In particular, a memory that sticks out for me is the bold confession that he gave among us on the last Sunday that he was with us in Church – the Sunday when we laid hands on him in prayer. Do you remember what he said? Do you recall his answers? “Clarence, do you put your life in God’s hands?” I asked. He said, “Yes I do”. I asked if he knew he was a child of God – and again, he said yes. I asked if he trusted that Jesus would take care of him, and then he gave the good confession, “Yes, I trust the Lord with all my heart, and I always have – He’s been good to me all my life, and I love Him.”

Clarence’s testimony was a proof that he had learnt the lesson of the cross – the story we’ve heard this morning. That thief on the cross has had many people, like Clarence, echo his words of faith. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Yes, Jesus, I trust you with all my heart, and I always have.” What an encouragement! What a powerful example of faith! When life was slipping away, the thief on the cross threw himself upon Jesus. This morning, we’re remembering those who have passed on; and from Clarence, and others like him, we get some good advice – fear the Lord, and put your trust in him. Do it today! Don’t wait, put your faith in Jesus this morning if you haven’t already. Re-commit yourself to place your entire life in the hands of God. Our friends have now gone on to be with the other saints in heaven, and they cheer for us now. They cheer us on to not only die beside Christ in baptism, but also to live with him each day; to live in him, and for him. Their lives are an example to us, but most of all their faith in Jesus is an example to us! Like the thief on the cross, they point us to the one who promises: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

We can trust this promise. It is as true for you as it was for that thief – as it was for our brother Clarence and all the others who have died. Jesus promises paradise – let us cling to his name. Let us throw ourselves upon his grace and mercy. I will leave you with the words of Paul. “In Jesus all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” May you join the long line of brothers and sisters who have placed their trust in Jesus. May you stand up for his name, like the thief, and shun the blasphemy all around us. May you hear Jesus’ promise of resurrection. Amen.