(Luke 22: 39-23: 47)
We had a saying when I worked at the Houston Police Department that “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”. It was a subtle way of saying that if you mind your own business and fly under the radar you will someday retire with a full pension. But, if you tried to do more than was expected of you, like make suggestions on how to make things better or more efficient, you’d attract the attention of the Command Staff, who had worked hard to climb to the top of the heap, and looked with disfavor upon those who challenged the status quo. And, if you went out of your way to do what was right, you’d probably get a complaint filed against you, and then bear the wrath and scrutiny of the Internal Affairs Division. If you were lucky enough not to get fired, you could expect to be transferred to an out-of-sight assignment like the night shift in the property room where someone might sarcastically ask you how that “good deed” thing worked out for you.
And that’s where we find ourselves in our scripture reading for this evening. Jesus was about to be punished for his good deeds. If he had just been content to be the rabbi of a little country synagogue in Nazareth, all of this wouldn’t have been necessary. To get a full understanding of all that transpired in the 24 hours since the Last Supper I think you have to read all four gospels, because each one offers something significant that may not have been mentioned in the other gospels. Remember all four are eye-witness accounts, and I prefer Luke’s account because of the attention to detail and the keen observations he makes.
The previous evening Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Feast of Passover which, for us on this particular day, is known at The Last Supper. It’s where Jesus gives his disciples a lesson in what it means to be a servant, serving others rather than being the one served. He tells them that he has set an example of what it means to be a servant of God, and that they should do as he has done because that is the path to blessing. He gives them a new commandment; Love each other just as I have loved you and this is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples, when they see the love you have for one another. By the end of the next day, Friday, he would be vilified and executed.
In the Luke story we learn that after the supper Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was there that Judas, the disciple who had sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver, betrayed Jesus and pointed him out to the temple police and accompanying soldiers. He was bound and taken to Annas who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. It was Caiaphas who had previously advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. How prophetic! Annas questioned Jesus about his preaching and teaching and Jesus stood by his word. So, Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas who eventually turned him over to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. After hearing the accusations, Pilate refused to find him guilty of anything and told the Pharisees to judge Jesus according to their own laws. They replied that they, the Jews, were not permitted to put anyone to death. That, right there, tells you a lot and to what extremes the religious leaders who felt their status quo being threatened were willing to go. Executing an innocent man. Pilate had Jesus brought in for questioning asking him if he was the King of the Jews and what, exactly was it that he had done to deserve such accusations. Again, Pilate went out and told the Jewish authorities that he found no case against Jesus and then suggested that they might think about the Passover custom of releasing a criminal from custody. He asked them if they wanted him to release the King of the Jews, to which they replied; “not his man, but Barabbas,” who was a notorious criminal. So, Pilate had Jesus flogged and brought him back out again, announcing he could still find no case. The crowd began chanting; “Crucify him!” Again, Pilate tries to dodge the bullet by saying this man has does nothing wrong and to crucify him themselves if that’s what they want. The Pharisees wouldn’t give up, claiming Jesus said he was the Son of God, which was blasphemy, and should be put to death. Pilate kept trying to release Jesus but then the Pharisees played the emperor card saying that Jesus claims to be a king and therefore sets himself against the emperor. When Pilate asks again if he should order their king crucified they responded; “We have no king but the emperor.” At this point he hands Jesus over to be crucified.
If you’ve ever seen Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, you get a good idea of the brutality of a crucifixion. It is not a quick and relatively painless death. To add insult to injury, Jesus is mocked by a jeering crowd and the Roman soldiers draw lots for his garments. It’s at this point where you have to wonder where the good is in Good Friday. This is where I like the attention to detail given to us by the Apostle Luke. In Chapter 23, beginning with verse 39, we are told that one of the two criminals crucified with him hurled insults at Jesus saying; “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him saying; “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then the man turned towards Jesus and said; “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him; I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Not long after that Jesus called out in a loud voice; Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke records that when the centurion who had been standing at the foot of the cross saw what happened, he praised God and said; “Surely this was a righteous man.” In Matthew’s gospel it is reported that the centurion said; “Surely, he was the Son of God.”
That’s the good in Good Friday. As the thief on the cross was about to die, he turned to Christ for forgiveness, and Christ accepted him. This shows that our misdeeds don’t condemn us, nor do our deeds save us. It’s our faith in Christ that saves us and it’s never too late to turn to God. How awe-inspiring was the faith of this man, this condemned thief, who alone saw beyond his present shame to the coming glory of the King of the Jews, of the king of all mankind. And the Roman Centurion, a non-believer was struck by what he had witnessed as the one died for the many. Even in his excruciating misery, Jesus had mercy on this criminal who decided to believe in him. Don’t you think Jesus would do the same for you? Our lives will be so much more useful and fulfilling if we turn to God early, but even those who repent at the very last moment will be with God in paradise.
In spite of the fact that it did appear Jesus was punished for his good deeds, for coming to seek and save the lost, to comfort the distressed, and heal the sick, he played the long game, and being the one sacrificed for the many, he showed us that the reward we will receive exceeds any possible punishment we may face at the hands of man. By the life he lived while he walked among us, Jesus showed us the importance of doing for others, even in the face of criticism, resistance and threats, because in the end our good deeds will be rewarded when we hear our king say; Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.
Please pray with me.
Gracious and loving God, how we thank you for putting the good in Good Friday. We praise you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, the one dying for the many. By his sacrifice, and his life of selfless service, he has shown us the importance of living a life of servitude whereby others, like the thief on the cross and the centurion, will know us by our good deeds and love for one another. And, it is our hope that the lives we live in Christ will shine like a beacon in the dark drawing others to you so that they too can enjoy a life of service, knowing that our good deeds in your name brings you honor and glory. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ, we pray, Amen.