Palm Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 22:14 – 23:56

Jesus – the Mercy of God

Luke reports some unique details in his account of the Passion of Jesus:

1. “Jesus turned to” the women who mourned and lamented him, and spoke to them.

2. On the cross, Jesus said to the Father, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

3. To the criminal who asked, “Jesus, remember me...,” Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

4. After Jesus “breathed his last,” the people who “saw what had happened returned home beating their breasts.” 

With these details, Luke emphasizes the mercy of Jesus. With Jesus' death, repentance and forgiveness immediately began. The recipients of God's goodness included Herod and Pilate, who “became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.”

Truly, Christ died for us and for our sins. He is the mercy of God.