Luke 23, Part 4

Scripture: Luke 23:26-49

Observation: Jesus is led away to be crucified. A crowd follows; some are mockers, yet others are women weeping and beating their breasts. Simon of Cyrene is ordered to carry Jesus's cross when it becomes too heavy for the Lord to bear. Jesus turns to these women, even in His intense pain, and tells them their suffering will be greater. Judgment will come to Israel because they've rejected their Savior.

Finally Jesus is crucified. Yet even as He hangs on the cross He prays for and forgives those who torture Him. He shows compassion; His tormentors show disdain, telling Jesus to get Himself down if He is the Messiah. Even two criminals, also crucified and on either side of Jesus, have something to say. The one tells Jesus to save Himself and them. But the other criminal is convicted. He turns to the first criminal and tells him they are getting what they deserve, unlike Jesus who is innocent. Then he turns to Jesus and asks to be remembered when He enters into His kingdom. He shows faith in Jesus's resurrection. He seeks forgiveness during his last moments of life. In His infinite grace, Jesus tells the man, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." As Jesus dies, darkness comes over the land, and the temple curtain splits in two. The centurion realizes and accepts Jesus's innocence.

Application: Even on our deathbeds Jesus knows our hearts. He saw this criminal's repentance and faith, and forgave him. Not only that, He gave him eternal hope. It's not too late - while we still have breath we can turn our lives around. Even those who crucified Jesus He forgave. They simply had to believe in Him, as the centurion did when he saw the effects in nature that Jesus's death caused. Our Lord is faithful to forgive.

Prayer: Oh what a friend we have in Jesus! It's true; You are loving and forgiving, even to those who caused You so much pain, to Your death. You have promised us the same. Help me to proclaim this truth. You are ready and willing to forgive! Thank You Jesus! It is in Your name I pray, Amen.