Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto, has had a rough month. After repeatedly denying allegations that he used illegal drugs, the police announced that they were in possession of a video which showed the mayor smoking crack cocaine. Since then Ford has admitted to behavior that is not appropriate for anyone, much less for a mayor. But when asked to resign by city councilors, Ford refused claiming that he’s been good for Toronto. In fact he went as far as saying on national TV that he plans on running for prime minister! Would you vote for Rob Ford? Do you see him as a good leader? Many don’t. They think Ford is delusional and self-absorbed.
My point here isn’t to drag Rob Ford through the mud. We pray for him as we are to pray for all of our leaders. But the controversy surrounding Ford is not unlike the controversy that swirled around Jesus. “He hangs out with those criminal tax collectors!” crowed the Pharisees. “He just wants your attention and who knows what else!” claimed the Sadducees. It all came to a head quite literally at the cross, for above Jesus’ head hung a sign which read: “This is the King of the Jews.” “Oh don’t write that,” complained the chief priests to the Roman governor, Pilate. “Write that he claimed to be king of the Jews.” As far as they were concerned Jesus was a con, not a king. How do you see Jesus? Con or King? Your answer to that question will not only determine your eternal future, it will impact the way you face everyday challenges.
Our sermon text describes the scene on top of that hill called Calvary outside of Jerusalem. Jesus hung on his cross between two convicts. Crowds came out to gawk including the religious leaders who sneered: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One” (Luke 23:35). Their attitude was no different from the crucified criminals who also hurled insults at Jesus. One said, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) As far as these people were concerned, Jesus was no king. He was a con who had made all these claims about himself but was now unable to deliver.
I’m sad to admit that I often echo their scorn when I say things like “If you really cared about me Jesus, you would make me wealthier and healthier. If you’re such a great king, my life as a Christian wouldn’t be such a struggle.” I may not be bold enough to call Jesus a con, but I do treat him like a puppet king who ought to do my bidding when and where I want.
But aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t always do what’s asked of him? “Come down from the cross!” his enemies shouted. But you know what would have happened had he complied, don’t you? He would have brought Judgment Day not just upon the unbelieving religious leaders, but also upon his disciples and on you and me. Had Jesus refused to give his life, our lives would have been given over to God’s eternal judgment. Think of how fruitless a running back’s efforts would be this afternoon in the Grey Cup if his offensive line refused to block for him. He would get pounded to the turf every time he touched the football. That’s the treatment that would await us if Jesus had refused to block God’s anger against our sin by remaining on the cross to death.
Jesus is no con; he’s a great king who gave his life to save a world full of sinners. And now we, who believe what Jesus did for us, are eager to serve him...right? The truth is my service is similar to what the soldiers gave Jesus at the cross. They offered Jesus something to drink as if he was their king whom they were eager to serve. Only what they offered was sour wine vinegar. Luke tells us that this was part of their game to make fun of Jesus’ claim to be king. Like those soldiers I offer Jesus wine vinegar when I’m asked to clean my room or help a sibling but do it but with much grumbling. I offer wine vinegar when I chip away at a church project upset more don’t follow my faithful example of service. But it was for sins like these that Jesus refused to come down from the cross. He gladly paid for them so that we don’t have to.
How can we be certain that Jesus really loves us even though we often treat him like a puppet king and serve him wine vinegar? Take a look at what he said to the repentant criminal on the cross. Although at first both criminals mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:44), the Holy Spirit worked repentance in the heart of one as he listened to the words of forgiveness Jesus spoke from the cross. This repentant believer then spoke up to silence the other criminal’s incessant mocking. He said: “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:40-42).
“Remember me.” That’s something you say to a childhood friend who becomes Prime Minister or who signs a major record deal: “Remember me even though you’re moving on to bigger and better things!” And that’s now what this convict-turned-believer said to Jesus because he no longer saw Jesus as an imposter, but as an emperor who was on the cusp of winning his greatest victory and was about to enter into his kingdom.
You know well Jesus’ response. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). There was no hesitation on the part of Jesus. He didn’t narrow his eyes when he looked over at this criminal to say, “Wait a minute. Weren’t you just making fun of me a few hours ago? What made you change your mind about me? Scared of death? Hedging your bets? Well I don’t think you really are sorry for the things that you did, otherwise you wouldn’t have done them in the first place. It’s too late for you. I am going into my kingdom, but you’re not. You’re going to suffer forever in hell because that’s what you deserve.” But that wasn’t Jesus’ response. Instead he promised that later that very day the thief would be with him in paradise. Oh we love this exchange because it assures us that if there was hope and complete forgiveness for that criminal, there’s hope and forgiveness for us! Don’t wait to acknowledge Jesus as your king of grace and forgiveness because like that criminal you may only be hours away from death and judgment.
While Jesus assured that criminal of forgiveness and entrance into his kingdom consider carefully what he did NOT do for him. He didn’t whisk him off the cross. He didn’t take his terrible suffering away. In fact that thief would have his legs broken before he died! Things got worse before they got better. Likewise you may confess Jesus to be king, but that doesn’t mean that your life will get better or easier. In fact it just might get worse. When that happens Satan will be sure to say, “See. It’s just like I told Adam and Eve. God is nothing more than a con. He’s deceived you into believing that trusting in him and his Word would be for your good. Obviously it’s not!”
How do we withstand those attacks? We cling to Jesus’ promise just as the thief did: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Remember that dear friends when you take a look at your current surroundings and think, “What am I doing here? I’m spending my Sunday morning in a junior high cafeteria listening to yet another sermon about Jesus with fewer people than there are at the nearest Tim Hortons. If there was really something to this Christianity, wouldn’t we be worshipping in a cathedral with thousands of others?” But eyes of faith won’t see it that way. Instead we will cling to Jesus’ claim that he is king – a king worth worshipping even if it’s in a junior high cafeteria!
In fact these humble surroundings help highlight this truth about Jesus: he’s an approachable king. Look at how this fact was illustrated in our text. When the thief addressed Jesus he did not say, “O Lord, remember me,” or “Sir, save me.” No, he called his savior by name: “Jesus, remember me...” Let me try to put that into perspective. If you were to plough into the prime minister’s limo because you had been drinking and driving, and the prime minister himself should come to your aid, you wouldn’t say, “Thanks Steve.” I’m sure you would address him as “Mr. Prime Minister,” or “Mr. Harper.” To use his first name would be cheeky especially after you had driven him off the road and put his life in danger. But Jesus did not chastise the thief for calling him by name. Rather he responded warmly because Jesus considered him to be his brother. He considers you to be that too. What a wonder! We sinners are on a first-name basis with the King of kings! That’s way better than knowing personally one of the powerbrokers of this world like Stephen Harper or Bill Gates.
Still, many continue to scoff at Jesus’ claim that he is king. They say he’s just a fraud because if he really was king, wouldn’t this world be so much better? Wouldn’t he treat his followers with tender loving care? Oh but he has. Jesus gave his life for you. He’s preparing paradise for you. Jesus is no con, he’s our king. May we serve him as king with true faithfulness and cheerfulness confident that he will one day take us to be with him in paradise! Amen.
SERMON NOTES
The religious leaders and the criminals on the cross mocked Jesus’ claim that he was king. How do we do the same? List at least three examples from your life.
Jesus doesn’t always do what’s asked of him and that’s good! How did our text illustrate that truth? (This question should be answered by our Sunday School children.)
How is our service to Jesus often similar to what the soldiers offered at the cross?
List three things you like about Jesus’ response to the repentant criminal.
While Jesus offered the repentant criminal forgiveness, what did he NOT do for him? Why is this worth remembering?
How did our text show that Jesus is an approachable king? List three other examples from Jesus’ life when he demonstrated his approachability.
