Sermon Index
April 10, 2022, Palm Sunday
St. Luke reports it like a historical event, or a news report. Luke 23:33 “ When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him.” When we read history or see a television historical documentary or hear or read the daily news, we have an emotional reaction if it something important to us. Perhaps: surprise, shock, sadness, joy, dismay, anger, unbelief, worry, relief. How do people react to St. Luke’s simple statement, “They crucified him”?
For the disciples and other followers of Jesus, it was very sad news. Maybe it was no surprise because the authorities had been wanting to destroy Jesus for the last three years. But if Jesus was crucified, would they be next? And if Jesus was dead, was there any hope for the Kingdom of God as Jesus had proclaimed? Had Jesus been wrong all that time?
Many people probably wondered why Jesus was executed. He was a good man. He taught love and mercy and grace. He healed the sick. He had done no wrong, he had broken no laws. What was wrong with society that such a thing could happen? It is as one of the thieves on the cross asked. 40 “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
The enemies of Jesus were thrilled with the news. But perhaps some of them wondered why he was crucified and not stoned to death. The Law of Moses said that blasphemers should be stoned. It was not right to crucify him, that was the Roman way, not the Jewish way. Were the chief priests and Pharisees afraid of the Romans if they did it the Jewish way? Were they lazy? Maybe they did not want to get their hands dirty, in other words, take responsibility for killing him.
On the other hand, most people when they heard the news, did not care. He was just a trouble maker from Galilee. Good riddance.
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When modern people hear that they crucified Jesus, how do they react? Most people in the world, unfortunately, do not care. They are not Christian, they do not know that it is important for their lives, too. When the Gospel is proclaimed, they think it nonsense. That is why evangelism is so hard.
Some people think it is silly to make a religion on someone who died. It is like a martyr-cult, they think. The weird thing is that Christianity has existed for nearly 2000 years. And Christianity is mocked and even vilified for taking away individual freedom.
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How do Christians react when they hear the words: “They crucified Jesus”?
Because we believe the Gospel story, because we love Jesus as our friend, the crucifixion brings sadness. When we understand the suffering and pain of Jesus, it causes horror and even anger against the Jews and the Romans who crucified him. We feel it is unjust. Jesus did no wrong; he broke no laws. But the sign above his head on the cross was correct: he truly was the King of the Jews, but also my King in the Kingdom of God.
We may wonder why Jesus had to die at all. If he is God, could he not just have forgiven the sin of the world without dying? Maybe there is a bit of personal shame in believing in a Savior that seems so weak.
When Christians hear the words: “They crucified Jesus,” along with the sadness, there is an indescribable joy and trust and confidence and relief that wells up in our hearts. Because we know that we are sinners, and because we know that the death of Jesus forgives our sins. And we know that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. That means that we will have eternal life and salvation.
Our hymns this week bring out the depths of our feelings. Sadness and grief, mixed with hope and trust and faith.
They crucified Jesus. Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church