At the crucifixion of Jesus, there were different responses by different groups of people. But Jesus’ death wasn’t simply a historical event – people today are still responding to his death and resurrection, along very similar lines to how the people responded about 2,000 years ago when it occurred. The readings for today’s sermon are an accumulation of different aspects from the gospels of Matthew Luke and John: John 19:16-22; Matthew 27:39-44; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24; John 19:25-27; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:45-54; John 19:31-42. So we openly oppose Jesus? The religious leaders mocked and opposed Jesus. So too did the four soldiers who were only interested in benefiting from Jesus’ effects, his clothing. Initially too, the two criminals who were crucified on either side of Jesus both mocked him. People today often mock Jesus, from using his name in vain to openly opposing him and denying the facts of his life, death and resurrection as recorded in the Bible. Do we sit on the fence? There were soldiers who were impressed, with one even declaring that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Pilate, too, was not convinced of Jesus guilt. In fact, he was convinced of his innocence. Yet, he was more concerned to keep his job than to do what was right. People today often think that they are sitting on the fence with respect to trusting in Jesus. But Jesus said that if anyone is not for him, that they are against him (Matthew 12:30). So, Jesus tells us that no-one sits on the fence; they are either for him or against him. Where do each one of us stand – clearly for Jesus or not? Do we follow Jesus? It is encouraging to see secret believers such as Joseph of Arimathea (and possible Nicodemus too, although while his actions point in that direction, we are not told specifically that he was a secret disciple of Jesus) coming out and being openly in support of Jesus, by giving him a decent burial. There were other faithful disciples too, who kept vigil at the foot of the cross. And we must not forget the criminal who changes his mind, and turns to Jesus for eternal life, which was affirmed by Jesus on the cross. The question for us is, which of these groups of people, or which character in particular, do we identify with? Many think that they identify with the faithful disciples, but in reality they identify with the unrepentant criminal or the four soldiers – this is because they only seek what they can get from God, how he can help them in their needy lives, but they never commit themselves completely to him, and put him first in their lives. Whether we are religious or not, we can do what the repentant criminal did, and turn to Jesus. His prayer was simple, and Jesus knew his heart. We too can pray a simple prayer such as this one, and receive the same blessing of eternal life that was his. How have you responded to Jesus?