Luke 23, Part Two

Jesus led to Calvary (vs. 26-33)--Jesus actually endured six trials during the night and early morning of Thursday and Friday. Luke covers three of them, especially the two most important--where the Jewish leaders found a reason to put Him to death and then brought a capital charge before Pilate, who, as Roman governor, had power of life or death over Jesus. If Jesus had been a Roman citizen, He could have appealed His case to Caesar, as Paul did in Acts 25:11. But Jesus didn't have that option, so off to the cross He went. He endured much mistreatment at the hands of the Romans (Mark 15:16-20), which wasn't unusual. Interestingly, all His disciples forsook Him, but His female friends remained loyal to Him to the end, apparently walking with Him to Calvary. In verses 28-31, Jesus spoke of the coming destruction of Jerusalem; if there were any doubt about that issue left (and there really wasn't), the city's doom was certainly sealed by this act of crucifying God's Son. "Do not weep for Me," Jesus told them, "but weep for yourselves and for your children" (v. 27). The two thieves crucified with Him are mentioned in verses 32-33, and that's important, as we shall talk about in the next section.

Jesus on the cross (vs. 34-49) The Lord's compassion, even for His malefactors, is evident in verse 34: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus simply provides an example here of the kind of attitude we should have--always a forgiving heart. God will not forgive unless someone repents, which is exactly what Peter told these sinners to do in Acts 2:38. Jesus continued to be mocked by the religious leaders and Romans (vs. 35-38), but verse 35 has an interesting comment: "And the people stood looking on." It's possible that the multitudes who had supported Jesus were finally privy to what was happening, but were powerless to do anything. One of the thieves who was crucified at the same time as Jesus obviously had a change of heart during the process. Mark tells us (13:32) that "even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him." But while one of these malefactors obviously continued his obstinance, the other, realizing that his death and eternity were imminent, asked the Lord for redemption (v. 42). Jesus, who knows all hearts, responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (v. 43).

There are a couple of thoughts I'd like to expound upon briefly regarding the "thief on the cross." Some have tried to find salvation without baptism by pointing to this man; "he was saved without being baptized, so we can be as well." This shows a misunderstanding of the two covenants. The thief was living under the Law of Moses, where immersion for forgiveness was not required. Thus, he was under no obligation to obey a command that is application only under the Christian law and dispensation. Jesus' statement "today you will be with Me in Paradise" indicates a few things. After death, the saved go immediately to a place of Paradise. We don't know as much about that place as we wish, but it is nice to know that our journey there will be immediate. And obviously we will know that we are there, for how can it be Paradise if we have no cognizance of it? Jesus spent His three days of "death" in that location, and the penitent thief would be there, too. As will we, if we are faithful to the Lord.

Jesus died the "ninth hour," or 3 PM. Some amazing things happened when He did--"the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two." Matthew mentions some other strange events that took place as well. (Mt. 27:51-53). Jesus, rightly, committed His spirit to the Father (v. 46), and passed into Paradise (v. 46). A Roman centurion recognized the character of Jesus and commented on it (v. 47), while the masses who had followed Him were distressed (v. 48). But they left the scene, while "His acquaintances and the women who followed Him" stayed within watching distance, no doubt to see what would happen to His body (v. 49).

Preparation for His burial (vs. 50-56)--A man named Joseph, from the city of Aramathea, and "a council member, a good and just man," (v. 50), who had not approved of Jesus' condemnation, and "who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God" (v. 51), asked Pilate for the body of Christ. His request was granted and Jesus' physical remains were placed in Joseph's own tomb (v. 53). The hour being late, proper preparations for that burial could not be completed. The women, who "observed the tomb and how His body was laid" (v. 55), had to wait until after the Sabbath to continue that work (v. 56). They were to receive quite a surprise when they returned early Sunday morning.