Luke 23:32-49

How is Jesus’ death a part of “breaking the chains of injustice” and setting captives free?  What hope might the cross give to those who are imprisoned?  What hope might the cross give to the victims of crime?

We’ve been so influenced by substitutionary atonement theology that we often can only understand Jesus’ death in that light.  (i.e. “I should have died for my sins, but Jesus died in my place.”)  Historically, the church has had a number of other ways of understanding Jesus’ death.  Theologian James Cone, author of “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” has articulated a case that Jesus’ death is comparable to the lynching “justice” of the Jim Crow south.  Suspicion, hatred, and mob action lead to an unjust sentence of death.  Jesus suffers injustice and is representative of all those who face injustice and the threat of death.   And in absorbing the hatred by refusing to respond with hatred and violence even to the point of death, Jesus exposes the forces of violence and injustice and is vindicated at the resurrection. 

Is Mr. Cone’s comparison helpful to you as you consider Jesus’ death?  If so, how?

Cook County Sheriff, Tom Dart, told “60 Minutes” that jails throughout the nation including Cook County jail have become the new insane asylums–housing more and more people with various mental illnesses.  He estimated that between 2500 and 2800 inmates at Cook County have various forms of mental illness.  With fewer resources for treatment, those with mental illness are ending up in jail–often for minor infractions.  Read more of the story HERE.

Luke 23:1-25, John 19:12-15

Pilate is convinced that Jesus is innocent, yet gives the authorization to crucify Jesus.  Why do you think he gave in to the pressure?  How did the members of the Jewish council “work the system” to get what they wanted?

How do the wrongful conviction of Jesus and the release of Barabbas relate to Jesus’ mission to proclaim release to the prisoners (Luke 4:18-19)?  How do you think Barabbas was impacted by this this turn of events in his life?  (There is no further reference to Barabbas in the Bible, so it is pure speculation.)  How do you think you would be impacted? 

Mark 14:66-72

After the arrest, all of Jesus’ disciples scattered with the exception of Peter.  Peter followed him to the courtyard where the council was trying Jesus.  However, when Peter was confronted about his involvement with Jesus, he denied even knowing him.

Often people who are incarcerated experience the withdrawal of family and friends due to their crimes.  Their feeling of abandonment only intensifies their situation.  Understandably, friends do not want to be suspected of criminal behavior, and family members often feel ashamed as they share the burden of guilt.  Families are sometimes marginalized by their friends, churches and communities.

Do you know a family that is currently facing the trial or incarceration of a close relative?  How have you treated the family thus far?  What could you or your church do this week to support them?

The state of Texas evidently believes that prisons are the answer to all infractions of the law.  There have to be other ways to hold people accountable.  Prison will only put this man (and thousands more like him) further into debt.  Check out the story at HERE.

Mark 14:53-65 

How is the “trial” of Jesus a mockery of Old Testament court procedure?  What is the final verdict based upon?  How is Jesus treated once he is convicted?

We know of many instances where prisoners are treated shamefully by guards or captors.  The torture and mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq by US forces in 2003-2004 created a global scandal.  There have been charges of torture and mistreatment of prisoners at the US detention facility at Guantanamo, Cuba, and guards at Cook County Jail (IL) routinely beat up inmates.  Women are often victims of rape by those assigned to guard them.  Why do you think those in authority authorize (or at least allow) mistreatment to occur?

What do you think we are to take away from the accounts of Jesus’ mistreatment? 

John 13:1-7

Judas was initially a trusted member of Jesus’ disciples.  He was given responsibility for keeping the funds and paying the bills.  Later, it was discovered that he embezzled some of the funds.  Jesus also knew that Judas would ultimately betray him to the authorities.  Yet, in this scene just prior to Jesus’ arrest, Jesus washes Judas’ feet!  Jesus recognized that Judas was not “clean”, but it did not stop Jesus from serving him.  How do you think Judas felt about having Jesus wash his feet?

Jesus told his disciples that he was giving them an example and that they should do what Jesus had done for them.  Do you think people that are not “clean” are to be included when we “wash people’s feet”?  What makes that especially challenging for you?  Which criminals would you have the most difficulty including in your “foot washing” activities?  Murderers?  Sex offenders?  Why?  

Isaiah 55:6-9

Isaiah invites ‘the wicked’ and ‘the unrighteous’ to turn to the Lord who will have mercy and abundantly pardon.  The Hebrew word translated pardon means “to forgive or release”.   We use the word ‘pardon’ to release an offender from the legal consequences of his/her action.

We are familiar with the concept with Presidential Pardons—an executive order that forgives a crime and cancels any penalty.  In the 20^th Century, over 20,000 pardons have been granted with 3,687 granted by Franklin D. Roosevelt alone.  Most famously, President Gerald Ford gave a full and unconditional pardon to Richard Nixon just before he was to be indicted for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.  His pardon of Nixon was criticized by those who wanted to see Nixon brought to justice and it remains controversial today.

As we begin the final week of Lent, we are reminded of God’s extravagant and abundant grace and forgiveness, and whose thoughts and ways are higher than our ways.  What words come to your mind as you consider God granting pardons?  How have you experienced God’s pardon?  Is there anyone that has turned to you for pardon?  If so, what did you do?  If not, what do you think you would do?

There is no devotional for Sunday, April 13, 2014.  Devotionals will resume on Monday, April 14

Today’s Chicago Tribune featured an article on the Ford Heights Four, four men who were wrongly convicted of rape and murder and sent to death row for years.  Later, they were exonerated due to DNA evidence, but they are still dealing with the effects of incarceration.  Read the entire article HERE.

Luke 18:9-14

Which person are you more like—the law-abiding citizen without a record or the person who has made questionable life choices and broken some laws? 

If you are more like the law-abiding citizen, have you ever regarded another person with contempt?  Who is most likely to be on the receiving end of that contempt—thieves, rogues, adulterers, ______?  How can you guard against contempt toward those who aren’t as upstanding as you?  Does Jesus’ story offer you any hope?

If you identify with the guy with some skeletons in his closet, how does Jesus’ story impact you?  How would you want the law-abiding citizen to treat you?