Haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd put something up that I wrote for my theology class today. It's a reflection on Luke 23:33 - 24:53.
This passage helps us see how people respond to Jesus, the crucified Savior. This notion (that God would die on a cross) is oxymoronic, scandalous, offensive, and absurd. It evokes a mix of various responses.
- Some respond to the cross of Christ by simply observing the spectacle, standing unaffected by it (23:35).
- Others scoff and mock at its absurdity (23:35-36).
- Some are broken in fear of God, repent of their sin, and receive life from Christ (23:40-41).
- Others, after mocking, are humbled and believe (23:47).
For every person alive, this is a question that must be addressed: How do YOU respond to the cross of Christ? The answer to this question affects everything.
This passage also shows us that Jesus is not easily offended by our doubts about His resurrection. The call of Christ is not to a ‘blind faith,’ but to experience Him (24:39). We see that Jesus is willing to offer the honest seeker tangible evidence that His life, death, resurrection, and exaltation are indeed realities (24:40). Jesus is willing to come and walk alongside us as we seek truth about Him (24:15). He will join us in our confused discussion and draw us to the truth. He even graciously puts up with our stupid comments and limited perspective (24:18)!
If someone is seeking to know Christ, two things must be done:
(1) Ask God to open your EYES to see Him (24:16, 31). He can do this in a variety of ways, at times even using sacraments (24:30, 35).
(2) Ask God to open your MIND to understand the Scriptures (24:45). He will do this by revealing that Jesus is the key that unlocks the entire Bible. Even the Old Testament (all of it!) is about Him (24:27, 44)!
Scripture is a primary means through which God draws people to Himself. When it is rightly interpreted and Christocentrically taught, there is a good possibility that (through the Holy Spirit's working) eyes will be opened, minds will understand, HEARTS will burn (24:32), and LIVES will change. May many more come to experience life in Christ! Indeed, it is a life of joy-filled life of worship (24:52) and spiritual blessing (24:51)!
