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Word of assurance

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

Easter is a holiday that believers can celebrate all year long. The resurrection is considered a sign from God that his Son’s sacrifice at Calvary was accepted, and it provides confidence that all the words Jesus spoke were true. 

In our roles as nurse and pastor, my wife and I have been privileged to be with people at the time of their passing. In our society, though, many are removed from the process of dying. The phrases uttered by Jesus from the cross provide a model for dying well. This second Word from the Cross lends special encouragement for the moment of death. Though none of us knows when we will take our last breath, the dying words of Jesus can be applied to questions even now: have we worked hard enough or been good enough, and where will we spend eternity? 

The crucifixion is recorded in Luke 23, John 19, Mark 15, and Matthew 27. As we continue this study of Words from the Cross, we move to phrases that are recorded only in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus’ mother Mary was present at the crucifixion, and it’s thought that Luke may have spoken with her to gain intimate details of Jesus’ birth as well. Last week’s word was forgiveness; this week it is assurance. 

The setting is three crosses in a public place near Jerusalem, with Jesus hanging between two criminals facing execution for their crimes. Before moving to Jesus’ words, let’s consider those men on either side. Often called thieves, they were likely armed robbers, with the Greek word indicating they were those who did evil works. Their presence fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah 53:12 that the savior would be “numbered with the transgressors”.