And the People Stood by, Watching
Luke 23:33-43 | November 22, 2022 | Rev. Henry F. Curtis IV
Digital Bulletin
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Call to Worship
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122:9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
(Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; all the earth sing praises. (Psalm 98:1, 4)
Luke 23:33-43 (RSV)
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
[[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]]And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
35 And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”
43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Abridged Decalogue
From all that dwell below the skies, Let thy Creator’s praise arise; Let thy Redeemer’s name be sung, Through every land by every tongue.
Minister: And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Nearer my God, to thee! Nearer to thee, E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be. Nearer my God to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.
Minister: Hear what Christ our Savior saith. Thou shall love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets.