Articles
Faithful to the End
Reading: Luke 23:26-56
The death of Jesus brought together a full cast of participants and onlookers. From the compelled passerby Simon (v. 26) to the close followers watching their Teacher suffer (49), from the mocking rulers and soldiers (35-36) to the criminals on either side of him (39-43), these people represent the full spectrum of how a person today can respond to the gospel. Perhaps most remarkable from this cast were those who acted in faith, even amid what seemed like Jesus’s defeat.
Only true faith could lead a dying criminal to put his hope in the dying Rabbi next to him as he professed that, somehow, this One was going to reign in a coming kingdom (v. 42). Only true faith could bring the secret disciple Joseph to public light as he asked for the body of Jesus and honored him with a proper burial (50-53). Their faith was in the Faithful One, Jesus Himself, who gave himself over to death so that the righteousness of God would be the reward of such faith.
Luke records three instances when Jesus spoke from the cross. These words offer fuel for our faith today (especially in the darkest of times). “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (v. 34)—may our faith in God shape our view of other people in such a gracious and merciful way. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (43)—may our faith not be shaken by past or present, but act with boldness to reach for the eternal promises of a home with God. “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” (46)—and may our faith endure, trusting in God each step of the way to carry us through to the end.
