Sermon -- Good Friday Tenebrae: The Second Word (April 3, 2026)

Good Shepherd celebrated a Tenebrae service in which we heard the seven words from the cross, followed by a brief homily on each word.  

THE SECOND WORD: Luke 23:38-43

     When Jesus was suspended upon the cross, “those who passed by ridiculed him…  In the same way, the chief priests along with the experts in the law mocked him among themselves” (Mark 15:29,31).  That does not surprise us.  But then Mark noted, “Those who were crucified with him also insulted him” (Mark 15:32). 

     Some people who sit on death row develop a sense of regret.  Hardened criminals go to the death chamber breathing out obscenities and cursing everyone within ear shot.  One criminal seems to have moved from one camp to the opposite.  He began the day with curses.  At least he could find some camaraderie among those who mocked Jesus, right?  But then came the change.  Why?

     Consider the words by which people mocked Jesus.  “He saved others.  Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!  If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:35,37)!  The mockers considered these claims worthy of scorn.  The criminal considered them worthy of further consideration.  And upon his consideration, he recognized that everything they said about Jesus was true.  He is the Christ.  He is the Son of God.  He is the King who has come to save his people and establish an everlasting kingdom.

     This criminal had given up all pretenses.  He would not pretend to be anything other than what he was—a sinner who was getting what he deserved.  But he saw that Jesus is the Righteous One.  Jesus had saved others.  Would Jesus save such a wretch as he was?  He asked Jesus for one thing: Remember me. 

     Whenever the Lord remembers in Scripture, he acts to save.  And that is exactly what Jesus came to do.  Jesus was mindful of sinners and took the curse of all, no matter what was on their record.  He died for the mockers, malefactors, and all mortals.  Therefore, we pray with the criminal: “Jesus, you have come to establish a kingdom.  That means you will live again to reign over it.  Remember me in your gracious reign.”

     The Lord Jesus would remember him.  The Lord Jesus is mindful of you, too.  You, too, will be with him in Paradise.