Jesus on the Cross (Part 1)

Introduction

It is hard to believe that Easter is 4 weeks from today. So, over the next three weeks was are going to be looking at the time Jesus spend on the cross.

While He suffered on the cross Jesus made several unique and interesting statements. And He had several interesting encounters with people.

As we begin our study today, we are going to look at three of the encounters that Jesus had. Our passages today will be taken out of Luke 23, and John 19.

If you have your Bibles and want to follow along, we are going to begin in Luke 23. And we’ll begin reading with verse 32.

As background, Jesus has been sentenced to be executed by crucifixion. This was not uncommon. The Romans loved execution by crucifixion because it caused the “criminal” to suffer.

Look with me at Luke 23:32

Luke 23:32 NIV

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.

The Executioners

The Back Ground

Jesus led out with two “criminals” that were also sentenced. So, three men were led through the early morning streets of Jerusalem out to a lonely place to be executed.

Luke 23:33 NIV

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

They took Jesus, along with the two criminals to the place called the Golgotha or the Hill of the Skull.

You can visit Golgotha today. It is located at the back of the main bus East Jerusalem Bus Station. Interestingly, there is a Muslim cemetery called es-Sahira on top of the hill.

He was crucified with the two criminals—one on His left, and one on His right.

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Think about this, most of the people who were hung on a cross spued anger, hatred, and aggression!

But Jesus was different. There hanging on the cross—suffering in unimaginable pain, and struggling just to breath, Jesus takes the time to pray, and ask the Father to forgive them.

Jesus does this because He says they do not know what they are doing!

Luke adds that the guards were dividing up Jesus’ meager belongings and casting lots to see who gets it. Even in these circumstances, Jesus asks the Father to forgive the very men who were carrying out the execution order.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would be praying for those who were unjustly carrying out my execution.

Living a life of Forgiveness

As followers of Jesus we are to live lives that focused on loving and forgiving. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul said,

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

And honestly, most of us can forgive people that we like or with whom we have a relationship. But Jesus did not limit to people we like or with whom we have a relationship.

In Matthew 5,Jesus told His followers:

Matthew 5:44 NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .

And Paul echoed this in Romans 12.

Romans 12:14 NIV

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

The Two Criminals

The Response of the People

You would think that after extending forgiveness to the soldiers that were carrying out His “punishment” that the people watching would have been in awe. But they we not in awe at all. Look at Luke 23:35-36

Luke 23:35–36 NIV

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar

The people watching were sneering at Jesus.

The “rulers” that is the religious leaders sneered at Him.

Their mocking was— “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah. . .”

The Criminals’ Response

Luke 23:39 NIV

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

One of the criminals joined in with the crowd and hurled insults at Jesus.

Luke 23:40–41 NIV

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

The other criminal rebuked the first one:

—Don’t you fear God?

—Both of us deserve what we are getting!

—But this man (the one that you are insulting) has done nothing wrong!

Luke 23:42 NIV

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

This criminal asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus entered into His kingdom!

Jesus’ Response

Luke 23:43 NIV

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus tells the man “Today!”

—Immediacy, Jesus says that this criminal will join Jesus today!

Jesus tell the man the he will be with Him!

—Surety. Jesus is the man’s guarantee that this criminal will be with Him in His kingdom.

NOTICE:

The man didn’t have to do anything but ask!

There was no baptism!

There was nothing but faith in Jesus.

Perhaps that is why Paul said:

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

But it is all about God!

Mary, Mother of Jesus

So far, Jesus forgave those who were wrongly carrying out His execution.

Next, He endured the ridicule of the people, and ended up “saving” one of the criminals.

Now, if you are following along, turn with me to John 19. As the oldest son, Jesus is going to take care of His mother, even as He is dying!

John 19:25 NIV

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

John lets us know that some of the women who followed Jesus and His disciples were standing there watching with horror as the soldiers hoist Jesus up on the cross.

One of the women that was standing there was Jesus’ mother.

Notice who is NOT mentioned in any of the accounts. None of Jesus’ brothers were there.

Mary’s grief must have been overwhelming!

Seeing this, and with no family there to care for her, Jesus does something extraordinary!

John 19:26–27 NIV

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Jesus is going to speak in the legal language of the day.

He calls His mother “Woman.” This was a term of endearment.

Then He points her to John (the disciple whom he loved) and says that he is now Mary’s son—he is take Jesus’ place as the caregiver for Mary.

And we’re told that John took Mary into his home to care for her.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

So What

Even as Jesus is hanging on the cross, He cares for the needs of others.

First, He forgives the very men—the soldiers—that are carrying out His execution. In forgiving them, Jesus says that they do not know what they are doing—they are ignorant. Because of their ignorance—they didn’t know or believe that Jesus was the Messiah—God’s promise!

When you and I act in ignorance we become just like these soldiers! We become a tool of the enemy.

But even as a tool, God’s will, and God’s plan is always done!

Next, as Jesus is struggling to breath He offers salvation to a man just like us! A man that doesn’t deserve life—a common criminal!

Jesus purifies a common criminal and that very day, Jesus brings the man into the kingdom of God!

I don’t know where you are today. This I know, Jesus loves you, and if you, like the thief on the cross cry out to Him, He will save you too! No matter what you have done, Jesus can put you into a right relationship with God the Father!

Finally, in the midst of His pain and suffering, Jesus lovingly cares for His mother! He makes sure that Mary will be cared for by one of His most beloved disciples, John.

No matter what you and I are going through, and no matter what kind of situation we find ourselves, we need to love and care for people—because the heart of Jesus is people!

That’s the truth of Romans 5:8.

Romans 5:8 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.