The Nazareth Page- A gospel meditation for your home

November 23, 2025 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Luke 23:35-43

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Historians have filled in some of the background events that were going on during the lifetime of Jesus. What I find most interesting is that while Romans controlled life in Israel for decades, there was oftentimes serious resistance to their rule. This often took the form of local uprisings on the part of Jews under Roman dominance.

One of the major ways the Romans showed their vicious power was to capture and kill anyone they thought was in their way, To show their power, they often publicly crucified Jews, hundreds or perhaps thousands of them. Surrounding this violent chaos Jesus lived and eventually died at the hands of the Romans.

Today’s gospel described some of the circumstances of the death of Jesus. Next to him being crucified were two other Jews who seemed to know about Jesus, and perhaps a little about his powers. One asked him to miraculously free them from their fate. The other accepted what was happening and asked to be part of whatever the future of Jesus entailed. One asked for a miracle while the other was willing to accept whatever was ahead for all of them.

Why Jesus died such a horrible and violent death has challenged his followers to the present day. What the gospels say about his acceptance of his death on the cross has challenged his followers through the ages. One thing seems clear. He was caught in the turmoil of the historical events of his time and did not attempt to escape them. My own view as a theologian follows the view of those who hold that being crucified for us was the most intense expression of his love for us.

His crucifixion remains a profound event, both mysterious and meaningful that happened in in all history. He died as an innocent person, someone who only did good. He did not deserve his death sentence, nor did he resist it.

I believe the crucifixion of Jesus demonstrates the presence of evil in our world in terribly dramatic fashion. God gives to each of us the freedom and capacity to do good or evil. And Jesus lived in the midst of this reality. The two accused criminals (perhaps among those resisting Roman rule) are examples of two opposite ways to deal with this. One asked that Jesus miraculously change this situation and the other accepted it all. Jesus did not offer an escape route for himself or the two hanging beside him., He let history unfold. Why do you think he chose to let it all proceed as it did?

David M. Thomas, PhD