Watchers, Mockers, Criminals, and the King
11-20-22 Sermon Notes “Watchers, Mockers, Criminals and the King”
When we say the Apostles’ Creed, we get to the line where we say that Jesus was “crucified, dead, and buried…” but to we ever stop to think that what we are talking about is “capital punishment?” Jesus didn’t just die. He was executed. The Romans had a particularly cruel form of capital punishment – one that was reserved for slaves and the lowest criminals. Crucifixion. It was so cruel and humiliating that it was not allowed to be used on a Roman citizen.
You probably know something about crucifixion. Maybe you have heard a preacher (maybe me) talk about how painful the act was. The word “crucifixion” comes from the Latin word “excruciatus,” which means to torment, to torture. We get our word “excruciating” from the same Latin root. When someone was crucified in Jesus’ day, the torment and torture was not just physical. It was mental and emotional torture as well. It was public humiliation for the person being crucified, and for anyone related to that person. There was always a sign on the cross above the person being crucified listing that person’s crime, so that everyone who was watching could see what happened to anyone who dared to violate Roman law. (Jesus’ sign read “King of the Jews”) Here is part of the story from Luke’s gospel:
33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [ 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”39One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 33-43 NRSV)
Who was present the day Jesus was crucified? In Jesus’ day, the general public would have been allowed (maybe even compelled) to be there. At Jesus’ execution, his mother was there, John by her side. There were other watchers. There were mockers. On Jesus’ left and right were criminals. And in the middle was the King.
This Sunday is “Christ the King” Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the Christian Year – the Sunday before Advent. Before we start a New Christian Year (Advent) with the story of preparing the way, of the annunciation, or the nativity…we finish the Christian Year with a reminder that the King who was born in a manger, died on a cross for our redemption. We will look at the ones who were present the day the crucifixion happened…watchers, mockers, criminals, and the King.
I hope you will join us this Christ the King Sunday!
Pastor Sam