World News Group has a good read for the Saturday between, an excerpt from Brett McCracken’s book, Uncomfortable.
One of the most offensive things about the cross of Christ has always been its leveling aspect, giving “insider” access to prostitutes, tax collectors, and the pariahs of society just as much as to religious and cultural elites; to Gentiles just as much as to Jews. The wretched thief on the cross didn’t and couldn’t do anything “good” to save himself, but Jesus still welcomed him into his kingdom.
This is offensive.
He follows this with a recounting of a marvelous scene of forgiveness. “Our pride makes it hard for us to stomach the notion that ‘earning’ or ‘deserving’ are not words that exist in God’s vocabulary of grace.”
Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. Mark 15.32. And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Matt 27.44. The author of Luke presents an incredible speech by a 12-14 year old girl in Chapter 1 followed by a birth narrative in Chapter 2 which simply cannot be resolved. The major opinion among scholars is “Luke got it wrong”. To believe the repentant thief story is to deny the primary Markan document as well as Matthew.
Am I reading you to say the gospel of Luke is hogwash from beginning to end? If the scholars read the Bible with prejudice against the supernatural, they can’t read it correctly, because without faith it is impossible to please Him and he rewards those who seek Him. Perhaps their pride is offended.