Open the Word

Sermon ideas

• Despite their differences of detail, the focus of the passion narrative in all the gospels is straightforward enough: the cross. It has been said that Luke lacks a theology of the cross, but it may be preferable to think of him as not labouring a point that his readers, familiar with Paul, would already have grasped.
• The theology of the cross is uniquely Christian and may be observed from a variety of perspectives. At its simplest the cross is a swap. Christ dies in my place that I may go free. In an exchange of punishment for freedom (v.25), Jesus takes the penalty rightly deserved by Barabbas, who is released unconditionally.
• The cross should inspire our self-examination, not our sympathy (vv.27-31 – only in Luke). The coming destruction of Jerusalem may be seen as a picture of a final judgement: the people caught up in it, the descendants of those who made Jerusalem the way it is, and in the same way a last judgement will impact on all who inherit Adam’s nature.
• The cross is the price of salvation (vv.35-41). The watchers (rulers, soldiers and one criminal) sneer and misunderstand ‘save’ to mean something trivial, but the other criminal acknowledges that punishment for misdeeds is just: sin has implications.
• The cross forces us to evaluate Jesus (v.35). The community to which Jesus came expected the Messiah to be the deliverer from Roman occupation, but his being ‘numbered with the transgressors’ (v.33; cf. Isaiah 53.12) reveals a Messiah who is the Suffering Servant, saving by bearing our punishment. The cross is the true measure of Jesus’ kingship (v.38), the sign conveying a truth beyond that discerned by the gospel writers.
• The cross brings unmerited mercy (vv.40-43). Only Luke’s account includes the penitent thief and his plea, intended to motivate us to the same response. An open admission of deserving death lays the ground for free forgiveness and welcome into the kingdom. There was no time for the thief to bear the fruits of his repentance and be baptised: salvation is by grace alone.
• The cross destroys the barrier between sinners and God (v.45) as the curtain separating the people from the Holy of Holies is torn apart. Henceforth there is free access to God for those formerly kept apart by their guilt.
• The cross converts (vv.47-48). Luke is cautious about putting Mark’s ‘This was the Son of God’ into the centurion’s mouth, perhaps because as a Roman title it would make Jesus merely equivalent to a Caesar. But the impact on the centurion and the bystanders is such as to strike to their hearts. Luke’s conclusion of the crucifixion narrative shows he thinks the cross can still have this impact for his readers.

Present the reading

Gather around the signpost that is now a cross and remember the story of the Passion. You may want to read it all together in one stretch or in part, in one voice or with different voices. You may want to have participants recalling their reactions in between or retelling from their perspective. Be confident about this as a community exercise: we work at developing our capacity for doing theology by doing it together. You might like to share food as you talk: this is a long story and eating together will help people to concentrate and engage in the community activity. You could share hot cross buns or simple biblical food such as figs and dates. You may want to sing the Taizé chant ‘Jesus remember me’ as you work through the story.

Explore the reading

The passion narrative is the heart of each of the four gospels. Arguably the rest of the narrative is a build-up to this point. All the rest has been the introductory remarks – longer in some gospels than others. Invite people to reflect on their journey through Lent, leading up to this point. People may be able to remember the Gospel stories read in the last few weeks; they will have their own personal experiences to note; there may be insights that have emerged from using the ROOTS Lent calendar, for example. The journey to the cross is characterised by the gospel writers as a journey to Jerusalem. Offer A5-size pieces of paper or card and felt pens, wax crayons or paint and invite people to record their Lenten experiences, then lay them down as stones forming a path to the cross. On this occasion used paper and card might be appropriate, so that people write or draw over something that is already there – or on the other side of the paper – reflecting a layering of experiences.