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.