Word@Work Luke344 - Luke 23:32-34
Published: Wed, 04/27/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WITHOUT MALICE
Luke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)
Undoubtedly, it was a dark and wicked day when the Prince of Peace was violated to the point of death. Although He would be honoured by Father God, on the cross He was in criminal company. Isaiah wrote, "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12). But it was no mistake. No detail was left to chance. Even the soldiers gambling for His clothes was prophesied (Psalm 22:18). The Lord knew it all from the very beginning.
Yet, despite the enormous injustice, Jesus bore no malice. He did not condemn the criminals either side of Him, or His executioners - soldiers just doing their job. He did not cry out or protest at the cruel nails. Nothing at all was out of control; it was all in the Lord's plan. Jesus had willingly accepted the task of bearing the sins of the world so that we might be welcomed into His Kingdom. It was very personal against Jesus; the religious leaders had refused to let Him live because He threatened their powerful positions over the people. However He did not try to get His own back: He was not looking for revenge or reward on earth, but the place of honour with His Father. So, He went as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). And He did it because He loved us.
In the same way, Jesus spoke about how His disciples should react to hostility: "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." (Luke 6:22-23). Although we have a duty to protect those for whom we are responsible, we have no right of earthly reward or godly motivation in revenge. We must look to the Lord to bring justice as Paul says in Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." It may not seem a natural reaction - it is not! It is a supernatural, Spirit-filled, God glorifying, Satan crushing, Christ inspired reaction! So let us live life that way!
Prayer: Loving and righteous God. Thank You for the astonishing example of the Lord Jesus to His accusers and abusers. Thank You that He did not look for earthly reward or vindication because He was confident that His suffering would bring justice for sinners, and an eternal welcome into Your Kingdom. Forgive me when my eyes are fixed on lower horizons, and when earth seems more important than heaven. Forgive me too when personal injustice screams for a human response when I should be committing it to You in prayer. Thank You for godly examples around me who trust that You will bring the right answer at the right time. Help me to do the same and reject the malice which so easily rises in me. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Undoubtedly, it was a dark and wicked day when the Prince of Peace was violated to the point of death. Although He would be honoured by Father God, on the cross He was in criminal company. Isaiah wrote, "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12). But it was no mistake. No detail was left to chance. Even the soldiers gambling for His clothes was prophesied (Psalm 22:18). The Lord knew it all from the very beginning.
Yet, despite the enormous injustice, Jesus bore no malice. He did not condemn the criminals either side of Him, or His executioners - soldiers just doing their job. He did not cry out or protest at the cruel nails. Nothing at all was out of control; it was all in the Lord's plan. Jesus had willingly accepted the task of bearing the sins of the world so that we might be welcomed into His Kingdom. It was very personal against Jesus; the religious leaders had refused to let Him live because He threatened their powerful positions over the people. However He did not try to get His own back: He was not looking for revenge or reward on earth, but the place of honour with His Father. So, He went as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). And He did it because He loved us.
In the same way, Jesus spoke about how His disciples should react to hostility: "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." (Luke 6:22-23). Although we have a duty to protect those for whom we are responsible, we have no right of earthly reward or godly motivation in revenge. We must look to the Lord to bring justice as Paul says in Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." It may not seem a natural reaction - it is not! It is a supernatural, Spirit-filled, God glorifying, Satan crushing, Christ inspired reaction! So let us live life that way!
Prayer: Loving and righteous God. Thank You for the astonishing example of the Lord Jesus to His accusers and abusers. Thank You that He did not look for earthly reward or vindication because He was confident that His suffering would bring justice for sinners, and an eternal welcome into Your Kingdom. Forgive me when my eyes are fixed on lower horizons, and when earth seems more important than heaven. Forgive me too when personal injustice screams for a human response when I should be committing it to You in prayer. Thank You for godly examples around me who trust that You will bring the right answer at the right time. Help me to do the same and reject the malice which so easily rises in me. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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