Luke 23:39-43 contains a familiar story about the crucifixion of Jesus, one that I’m sure you all know. Humor though and allow me to give you the highlights – three men hang on crosses, their feet and hands have had spikes driven through them, the crosses have been lifted upright and now stand high above everyone else. They are each in unimaginable pain, it’s difficult to breathe, the only way to even draw a breath is to push up on your spiked feet allowing your lungs to fill. I think it’s safe to say that none of us have ever experienced the excruciating pain these three men feel. We don’t know much about two of the men, only that they are criminals and being put to death for their crimes. The third Man is Jesus, completely innocent, yet sentenced to death none the less. A conversation begins between these men with one of the criminals calling out Jesus saying “I thought you were the Messiah? Why don’t you do something about our situation here. You should be able to save yourself and us!” The second criminal responds and says “Are you crazy, don’t you even fear God? We are guilty and being rightly punished, but Jesus has done nothing wrong!” (Isn’t it interesting that even one of the criminals is aware of who Jesus is and that he is innocent?). Then this man goes on to make a request “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom?” To this Jesus responds “I’ll tell you what, today you will be with me in paradise” (my paraphrase)

Do you ever think about how willing Jesus was? Here he is, an innocent man, hanging on a cross in unimaginable pain and still he is completely willing to meet this confessed criminal right then and there and offer him forgiveness and the promise of eternity! ‘Willing’ is an interesting word, according to the dictionary it means: “inclined or favorably disposed in mind, eager to help, prompt to act or respond, accepted by choice without reluctance, relating to the will or power of choosing. Disposed, inclined or ready“. When you think about some of those words in light of what Jesus has done and is doing-it is absolutely mind-blowing! I mean-eager, without reluctance, choosing and ready! I wonder how frequently I have either discounted or taken for granted Jesus’ willingness? Yes, he was fully God. But also, fully Man. HE HAD A CHOICE-just as you and I do today! And he chose to willingly submit to and obey God, the Father.

After only a few minutes of thinking about how willing Jesus was and is, my heart hurts. He was oh so willing to do hard things, sacrifice and love!

Jesus was willing to come to earth, as a baby, go through those awkward pre-teen years to grow and experience life as a man.

He was willing to sacrifice his all, not for himself but for you and me.

He was willing to love, even the most unlovable, even those who ridiculed him, even those who drove the nails into his hands. In Luke 23:34, he says – while being crucified “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.”,

He was willing to risk (disciples,), willing to confront (Pharisees), willing to engage (woman at the well), willing to stop (bleeding woman), willing to tell hard truths (Rich young ruler), willing to touch (lepers), willing to wait (right time), willing to teach, go without food, sleep, a place to lay his head.

He is willing to heal, restore, forgive and make new.

He was willing to suffer, not only physical pain but the emotional and spiritual pain by being separated from his Father. (Matthew 27:46),

He was willing to be tempted (Matthew 4)! I mean come on; how sweet it would be to never be tempted!

He was willing to be unwanted, judged, beaten, mocked and ridiculed.

He was willing and he remains willing! This is oh so convicting when I consider how unwilling I can be at times. Unwilling to risk, trust, talk to the person I’d much rather avoid, be inconvenienced, go without-food, sleep or coffee. Unwilling to love those that cause me or mine pain, forgive those who have hurt, obey when I don’t fully understand, give up my desire for control. This is one of those times when I cannot even begin to comprehend why on earth Jesus puts up with me! But I am oh so grateful that he does! Grateful that he continues to pursue, teach, grow, convict and encourage. Grateful that he continues to take a risk with me.