Irony, 2 April 2017
02 04 17 Filed in: Sermons | A Love That Never Dies
Irony
Series: A Love That Never Dies
Luke 23:39-43
Series Big Idea: Throughout Lent, we prepare for Jesus’ death, resurrection, and return
Big Idea: Jesus’ death was filled with irony…and hope for all sinners.
Irony.
The bald guy’s name is Curly.
The huge weightlifter is called Tiny.
The psychic’s presentation is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
The name Judas means praise.
Irony involves a contrast between appearance and reality, between expectation and occurrence.
My name is Kirk and we’re in the middle of Lent, the season leading to our remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This series is entitled, “A Love That Never Dies” and to demonstrate a love that will never die, Jesus died. He died a gory, horrific death…because He loves you and me.
There are so many ironies in the crucifixion account. Dennis sang about many of them.
Why did a friend betray Jesus?
Why did he use a kiss?
Why did King Jesus have to wear a crown of thorns?
Why did the only perfect human die on a cross like a thief?
Here are some others:
The Romans usually nailed each criminal’s charges to his cross. They wanted everyone to know what they did…and the fate of those who try to do the same thing. Crucifixion was meant to be a deterrent. The message was, “If you steal, this will happen to you. If you murder, this will happen to you.”
Jesus’ charge? First, it was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Tri-lingual! Latin for the Romans, Greek for those in commerce. Hebrew for the Jews. And the charge said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The irony is the charge was true. He is the King of the Jews. He’s also the King of the Romans, King of the Gentiles, He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. And the King of all hung dying for those who rebelled against his rule and that of His Father.
He wants to be king over you and me, too. He’s not an insecure ruler seeking power and control. Instead, He rules benevolently, with love and grace, mercy and forgiveness. He is a good King. The best King!
Our text today from Luke 23 begins at verse 39
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
Yes, Jesus is the Messiah.
Yes, Jesus is the Savior.
Yes, at the very moment he was in the midst of saving every man, woman and child who would choose to follow him as LORD.
This passage reminds me again of the layers of suffering Jesus endured.
He wasn’t just stripped naked.
He wasn’t just beaten.
He wasn’t just pierced with nails.
He wasn’t just betrayed by one of his closest friends.
He wasn’t just tired from a night of prayer while his disciples were sleeping.
He gets insulted by a criminal hanging beside him. I can only imagine the tone. Most of communication is non-verbal.
“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
On the other side of Jesus was a criminal with a completely different attitude.
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “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.” (Luke 23:40-41)
Do you feel the irony? The criminals were punished justly, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. Obviously this criminal had faith. He feared God. We don’t know exactly what he did to deserve execution, but people have faith have been known to make mistakes…and even commit crimes.
Some of the most vibrant followers of Jesus live behind bars. Their sins, like those of the criminals on Calvary, are known. They are branded—child abuser, thief, drug dealer. They don’t have the option of putting on a fancy suit and parading around on Sunday mornings pretending to have the perfect life, the perfect spouse, the perfect kids. They are humble. They are broken. They are desperate for redemption.
Oh how I wish that were the posture of every Christian. We all need a Savior, a Redeemer, a King. Just because my sins haven’t put me on death row doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus. Just because many of my sins are “acceptable” sins like worry and anger doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus. Just because my sins are not always visible like pride, judgmentalism, jealousy, and impatience doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus.
Jesus was without sin so He could pay for the sins of the world.
God became a human so He could pay for the sins of humanity.
Both criminals heard Jesus’ first words on the cross, a prayer for the very ones who nailed Him there:
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34)
They should’ve been the ones seeking forgiveness. They knew what they were doing—obeying Pilate’s orders and securing the empire against insurrection and rebellion. They were executing a blasphemer, a troublemaker, a radical.
But only Jesus truly knew what he was doing: providing a path of forgiveness and salvation for anyone who would repent and surrender their lives to him, to the King.
The faith-filled criminal beside Jesus realized forgiveness was possible for those who nailed him to the cross. That gave him hope, despite his own sins. He said
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
What a request. What faith!
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
If Jesus could forgive this criminal—this person who probably never went to church, read the Bible, gave money to the poor, or went on a mission trip—he can forgive you and me. If Jesus wanted those who pounded the nails to be forgiven, you and I have hope.
Another irony comes from the crowds who taunted and shouted
“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27:40-42)
The religious people got involved. Jesus didn’t just die for criminals. He died for the self-righteous, for the proud. They said, “If you are the Son of God.” That’s what Satan hurled at Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness.
…“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3)
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6)
The so-called people of God were mouthing Satan’s temptations!
They urged Jesus to save himself at the very moment he was dying to save them!
To save us, Jesus could not save himself. In a love that could not die, Jesus died. His love kept him on the cross. Love for you. Love for me.
So What?
Some of you see yourself like the criminal, paralyzed by guilt and shame. You blew it this week. You lashed out at your kids. You indulged in porn. You drank yourself silly. You lied to your boss.
You need forgiveness. You need grace—unmerited favor. You need Jesus.
Some of you are on the opposite extreme. You’re religious, self-righteous, and a really good person. Your reputation is so stellar you think you’re almost perfect. You’re here every Sunday, always put money in the offering plate, and have even memorized parts of the Bible.
You need forgiveness. You need grace—unmerited favor. You need Jesus.
I’m a recovering Pharisee. Pride is arguably the worst of all sins, the root of them all. It’s subtle because it’s usually unseen…and rarely punished. But it kills relationships. It separates us from others…and God. I need Jesus.
Perhaps the greatest irony of the crucifixion is God’s love for sinners. As we recently saw
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
He didn’t die because we were good.
He died because we were bad. We were sinners. We are sinners.
I believe some of you still struggle with God’s ability to forgive you and truly love you. I struggle to fully comprehend God’s grace. But whether you believe it or not does not make it true or false. I have discovered the Bible can be trusted. It has been tested. It works.
The good news, the gospel, the message of our faith is Jesus is LORD. He is our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. His love never fails. His arms are reaching out to embrace you…but He won’t force Himself upon you. He simply invites you to follow Him. I accepted the invitation decades ago and I’ve never regretted it for a second.
Credits: Some ideas from Rev. Steven H. Albers, CTA.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
Series: A Love That Never Dies
Luke 23:39-43
Series Big Idea: Throughout Lent, we prepare for Jesus’ death, resurrection, and return
Big Idea: Jesus’ death was filled with irony…and hope for all sinners.
Irony.
The bald guy’s name is Curly.
The huge weightlifter is called Tiny.
The psychic’s presentation is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
The name Judas means praise.
Irony involves a contrast between appearance and reality, between expectation and occurrence.
My name is Kirk and we’re in the middle of Lent, the season leading to our remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This series is entitled, “A Love That Never Dies” and to demonstrate a love that will never die, Jesus died. He died a gory, horrific death…because He loves you and me.
There are so many ironies in the crucifixion account. Dennis sang about many of them.
Why did a friend betray Jesus?
Why did he use a kiss?
Why did King Jesus have to wear a crown of thorns?
Why did the only perfect human die on a cross like a thief?
Here are some others:
The Romans usually nailed each criminal’s charges to his cross. They wanted everyone to know what they did…and the fate of those who try to do the same thing. Crucifixion was meant to be a deterrent. The message was, “If you steal, this will happen to you. If you murder, this will happen to you.”
Jesus’ charge? First, it was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Tri-lingual! Latin for the Romans, Greek for those in commerce. Hebrew for the Jews. And the charge said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The irony is the charge was true. He is the King of the Jews. He’s also the King of the Romans, King of the Gentiles, He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. And the King of all hung dying for those who rebelled against his rule and that of His Father.
He wants to be king over you and me, too. He’s not an insecure ruler seeking power and control. Instead, He rules benevolently, with love and grace, mercy and forgiveness. He is a good King. The best King!
Our text today from Luke 23 begins at verse 39
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
Yes, Jesus is the Messiah.
Yes, Jesus is the Savior.
Yes, at the very moment he was in the midst of saving every man, woman and child who would choose to follow him as LORD.
This passage reminds me again of the layers of suffering Jesus endured.
He wasn’t just stripped naked.
He wasn’t just beaten.
He wasn’t just pierced with nails.
He wasn’t just betrayed by one of his closest friends.
He wasn’t just tired from a night of prayer while his disciples were sleeping.
He gets insulted by a criminal hanging beside him. I can only imagine the tone. Most of communication is non-verbal.
“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
On the other side of Jesus was a criminal with a completely different attitude.
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “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.” (Luke 23:40-41)
Do you feel the irony? The criminals were punished justly, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. Obviously this criminal had faith. He feared God. We don’t know exactly what he did to deserve execution, but people have faith have been known to make mistakes…and even commit crimes.
Some of the most vibrant followers of Jesus live behind bars. Their sins, like those of the criminals on Calvary, are known. They are branded—child abuser, thief, drug dealer. They don’t have the option of putting on a fancy suit and parading around on Sunday mornings pretending to have the perfect life, the perfect spouse, the perfect kids. They are humble. They are broken. They are desperate for redemption.
Oh how I wish that were the posture of every Christian. We all need a Savior, a Redeemer, a King. Just because my sins haven’t put me on death row doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus. Just because many of my sins are “acceptable” sins like worry and anger doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus. Just because my sins are not always visible like pride, judgmentalism, jealousy, and impatience doesn’t mean I don’t need Jesus.
Jesus was without sin so He could pay for the sins of the world.
God became a human so He could pay for the sins of humanity.
Both criminals heard Jesus’ first words on the cross, a prayer for the very ones who nailed Him there:
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34)
They should’ve been the ones seeking forgiveness. They knew what they were doing—obeying Pilate’s orders and securing the empire against insurrection and rebellion. They were executing a blasphemer, a troublemaker, a radical.
But only Jesus truly knew what he was doing: providing a path of forgiveness and salvation for anyone who would repent and surrender their lives to him, to the King.
The faith-filled criminal beside Jesus realized forgiveness was possible for those who nailed him to the cross. That gave him hope, despite his own sins. He said
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
What a request. What faith!
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
If Jesus could forgive this criminal—this person who probably never went to church, read the Bible, gave money to the poor, or went on a mission trip—he can forgive you and me. If Jesus wanted those who pounded the nails to be forgiven, you and I have hope.
Another irony comes from the crowds who taunted and shouted
“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27:40-42)
The religious people got involved. Jesus didn’t just die for criminals. He died for the self-righteous, for the proud. They said, “If you are the Son of God.” That’s what Satan hurled at Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness.
…“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3)
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6)
The so-called people of God were mouthing Satan’s temptations!
They urged Jesus to save himself at the very moment he was dying to save them!
To save us, Jesus could not save himself. In a love that could not die, Jesus died. His love kept him on the cross. Love for you. Love for me.
So What?
Some of you see yourself like the criminal, paralyzed by guilt and shame. You blew it this week. You lashed out at your kids. You indulged in porn. You drank yourself silly. You lied to your boss.
You need forgiveness. You need grace—unmerited favor. You need Jesus.
Some of you are on the opposite extreme. You’re religious, self-righteous, and a really good person. Your reputation is so stellar you think you’re almost perfect. You’re here every Sunday, always put money in the offering plate, and have even memorized parts of the Bible.
You need forgiveness. You need grace—unmerited favor. You need Jesus.
I’m a recovering Pharisee. Pride is arguably the worst of all sins, the root of them all. It’s subtle because it’s usually unseen…and rarely punished. But it kills relationships. It separates us from others…and God. I need Jesus.
Perhaps the greatest irony of the crucifixion is God’s love for sinners. As we recently saw
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
He didn’t die because we were good.
He died because we were bad. We were sinners. We are sinners.
I believe some of you still struggle with God’s ability to forgive you and truly love you. I struggle to fully comprehend God’s grace. But whether you believe it or not does not make it true or false. I have discovered the Bible can be trusted. It has been tested. It works.
The good news, the gospel, the message of our faith is Jesus is LORD. He is our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. His love never fails. His arms are reaching out to embrace you…but He won’t force Himself upon you. He simply invites you to follow Him. I accepted the invitation decades ago and I’ve never regretted it for a second.
Credits: Some ideas from Rev. Steven H. Albers, CTA.