Luke 23:26-56 - The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Jesus walked the hardest road of suffering that anyone has ever had to walk. We have been going through this road the last few weeks. He has suffered in deep prayer in Gethsemane as He sweat great drops of blood. He has suffered the betrayal of one disciple and been denied by the disciple He nicknamed Rock (namely Peter). He has just finished suffering 6 unjust trials and has now been convicted though proven innocent and sentenced to death on a cross.
None of us can imagine the suffering that Jesus has experienced already, yet it is about to get much worse.
Let’s say a prayer and get started as we continue along this road of suffering that Jesus traversed.
Prayer
Today we will see four ways that Jesus walked His road of suffering. The first is…
I. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering with Faithfulness and Compassion (26-31)
I. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering with Faithfulness and Compassion (26-31)
Before getting into our verses in Luke. It is important not to miss what the parallel Gospels tell us.
Right before the scene we see in Luke 23:26, we find out that Pilate has Jesus scourged.
Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
This is paralleled in Mark 15:16 and John 19:1. This Greek word for scourged involved something called a flagellum. This was a whip with multiple cords that had bones and metal attached. This whip was used to brutally torture a man by ripping the skin from his back. Some would even die from such a lashing.
It is after this terrible scourging that we come to Luke 23:26…
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
We have discussed the terrible night that Jesus has already faced thus far. He hasn’t slept all night as He has been suffering injustice. And because of His great fatigue, He is not able to carry His cross any further.
And so Simon of Cyrene is seized to carry the cross for Jesus.
Cyrene was a city in North Africa in modern-day Libya. Simon was most likely a Jew visiting Jerusalem for the Passover like many others were. As he is walking by, the Romans force him to carry the cross for Jesus.
We are not aware of any of Simon’s past, but we find out in Scripture that this sovereignly appointed encounter likely changed his life forever.
Mark 15:21 interestingly gives us the names of Simon’s sons. One of them, Rufus, is noted to be a prominent member in the church at Rome along with his mother (Romans 16:13). Most theologians believe this encounter led to the salvation of Simon and his family.
There are many times in our lives where we face what we would consider inconveniences. However, sometimes these interruptions in our lives can be some of the most life-changing things to ever happen to us.
Next time something unexpected happens - embrace it and seek the Lord in it.
We also see in this short verse a a beautiful picture of the Christian walk.
Simon provides us a beautiful image of what it means to carry our cross:
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Carrying our cross requires sacrifice, humility, and perseverance. We do it through the power of the Holy Spirit - but there is always a cost to discipleship. Simon provides us with a great image of bearing the weight of the cross.
As Jesus continues His road to the cross, we are next introduced to a group of mourners…
And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.
These women of mourning were not the devoted followers from Galilee - although they were following as well. This group was a group of devout women in Jerusalem who regularly turned out to minister to those who were being executed. They would provide sedatives and pain relievers to help relieve the suffering. Matthew 27:34 tells us that Jesus was offered this wine but refused it as He was to endure His final suffering coherently and experience the full extent of it.
However, even in His suffering, Jesus shows compassion for this group of mourners…
But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
As the hearts of women break in seeing Jesus unjustly taken to His execution, Jesus speaks a word of mourning and compassion for them. He speaks of the coming judgement in AD 70 where the Romans will completely destroy Jerusalem. His vivid picture offered in this prophesy and warning is clearly dire.
He speaks of the assuredness of this prophecy in His final sentence.
If they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
This likely refers to the fact that the Romans are crucifying the innocent Son of God - meaning the green wood which is fresh wood that is nearly impossible to burn - then how much more will they go after those in Jerusalem who are full of iniquity - namely the dry wood that will burn quickly and readily?
Jesus is offering compassion and warning to those who are mourning for Him.
Theologian Leon Morris when talking about this interchange stated:
“He wants their repentance, not their sympathy.”
Leon Morris
His compassionate heart is overwhelmed by the amount of lives that will be lost if they do not repent before the Fall of Jerusalem. He urges them to repent for judgement is near.
His warning is heeded by some, however. According to the historian, Eusebius (you-see-be-us), many followers of Jesus were able to flee Jerusalem before AD 70 and avoided suffering the terrible mass murder of many Jews during the fall of Jerusalem.
So far, we have seen the faithfulness of Jesus on His way to the cross and a continued showing of compassion to those around Him despite His own pain and torment. Next we see that…
Scripture References: Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:16, John 19:1, Mark 15:21, Romans 16:13, Luke 14:27, Matthew 27:34
II. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering Offering Compassion and Forgiveness (32-43)
II. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering Offering Compassion and Forgiveness (32-43)
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Fulfilling the prophecy seen in Isaiah 53:12, Jesus was numbered with the transgressors. He is crucified between two criminals. We are told in Matthew 27:37 that above His head was a sign that read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” It was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek (John 19:21). The sign offended the religious leaders, but Pilate ignored their grumbling.
It is very interesting that there is only one verse about the actual crucifixion itself. There are no descriptive terms about what the crucifixion entailed. We have plenty of other evidence for this. However, why is the actual act of the crucifixion skimmed over?
This is likely because the first century audience would not have needed any description of this barbaric practice. This 6th century BC Persian invention of torture was all too common in first century Rome. These executions occured fairly often and were public spectacles. Rome used them as a means to incite fear in those who would attempt to cross them - pardon the pun.
But for us today, we cannot fully grasp the brutality of such a form of execution.
Jesus - being already sleep-deprived, hungry, dehydrated, beaten, mocked, and scourged - is nailed to a wooden cross-beam through His wrists which is then hung onto an upright post where another nail is put through both of His feet.
All of this occurs on a hill, likely named because of its shape, called the Skull, or Golgotha - the Latin being calvaria which is where we get the English word Calvary.
Right after the Roman soldiers have brutally tortured Him by nailing Him to a cross, listen to His compassionate forgiveness shine…
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
The soldiers appear unaffected by this kind gesture. They proceed to cast lots for His garments. Interestingly, this fulfills a prophecy seen in Psalm 22:18.
John MacArthur makes the following statement regarding this offer of forgiveness:
“If forgiveness is available for those who crucified Him, it is available for anyone.”
John MacArthur
There is no one too far to accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus. Forgiveness is even offered to His murderers! Of course it is offered to you today as well. If you have not repented and placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation - do that today. His offer of forgiveness is for anyone who would humble himself before Him.
Next we come to a group of three scoffers. As Jesus suffers immensely on the cross, voices rail against Him…
And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
There are three scoffers at Christ listed here (Luke 23:35-39):
1 - The Religious Leaders
2- The Soldiers
3 - The Criminals
1 - The Religious Leaders
The religious leaders are not content with just having their way. They continue to mock Jesus.
2- The Soldiers
Despite Christ’s kind words of forgiveness, the soldiers have cast lots for His clothes and now mock Him by offering Him sour wine. They are acting as if they are jesters before a fake king. They joke by acting like they are offering royalty wine to drink. This hostile act is yet another way that the soldiers fulfilled prophecy as seen in Psalm 69:21.
3 - The Criminals
Luke tells us here that one of the criminals rails at Jesus. Although we are going to see a change of heart in a moment, Mark 15:32 lets us know that both criminals heap insults at Jesus at first. Even those suffering alongside Jesus deride Him. Persecution is coming from all angles. The evil one is having a field day with this spectacle.
However, there is such irony in these three taunts. All involve Jesus being mocked for not saving Himself. Little did they know, if Jesus would have saved Himself, there would have been no hope for any of them, or us for that matter, to be saved!
His loving kindness and sacrifice is scoffed at instead of being embraced.
Unfortunately, many today do the same. They rail at Christ instead of accepting His free gift of salvation. Many refuse to believe and follow.
Fortunately for one unbeliever present, his life was about to change forever. The kindness and compassionate forgiveness of the Savior was about to be extended to him…
But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is one the most beautiful accounts of salvation found the Bible. It shows the difference between the saved and the unsaved. One of the criminals derides Jesus. But the other, we are told, rebukes the first criminal and admits his sinfulness. He admits that he deserves death.
The key to being saved is realizing that you deserve death. You must realize your depravity in order to know that you need saved. This man realizes his need for a Savior. And He knows exactly where to go. He goes to Jesus and asks Him to remember him when He comes into His kingdom.
This is a wonderful picture of faith.
And Jesus responds that this man will be with Him today in paradise. Friends, salvation is that simple. Repentance and faith in Christ.
Before moving to our next point…
Jesus statement in Luke 23:43 provides clarity for two important theological understandings:
1) Baptism isn’t necessary for salvation.
2) When we die, we are immediately with the Lord.
1) Baptism isn’t necessary for salvation.
Although it is our first act of obedience after repenting of our sins and trusting in Christ, we are not saved because of baptism. This man was unable to be baptized and yet was saved by Jesus Christ.
This does not negate the importance of baptism. If you have been saved but not baptized, I’d love to discuss how you can take that next step in obedience to Christ. It is a vitally important step in your walk with Christ.
And the second important teaching seen here is…
2) When we die, we are immediately with the Lord.
Jesus says that today this penitent thief will be with Him in paradise. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul asserts that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Paul also expresses this in Philippians 1:21-24 where he says it would be better to depart and be with Christ.
Before moving forward, we have seen Jesus’s compassion for the mourning women, for the soldiers who just crucified Him, and for the penitent thief. There is one other aspect of compassion Jesus shows as He suffers on the cross seen in John 19:25-27.
Jesus continues His selfless compassion by making sure that His mother is cared for after He dies. He looks at the Apostle John and asks him to care for His mother, Mary. His final hours are all spent considering others. He is considering those around Him - even His enemies. He was also considering us who would follow afterward. How amazing is the love of Jesus?
Which brings us to our third point…
Scripture References: Isaiah 53:12, Matthew 27:37, John 19:21, Psalm 22:18, Psalm 69:21, Mark 15:32, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-24, John 19:25-27
III. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering Providing Scriptural Fulfillment (44-49)
III. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering Providing Scriptural Fulfillment (44-49)
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
At least four events occurred around the time of Christ’s death (Luke 23:44-46, Matthew 27:51-53):
1 - Darkness Covers the Land (Luke 23:44)
Luke tells us that from noon-3PM darkness covers the whole land. We are told that the sun’s light failed. It is clear that this is supernatural.
There are at least two reasons this wasn’t scientifically possible, but was a supernatural act of God.
A) - The Passover occurred during the full moon which makes a solar eclipse impossible as the moon is behind the earth during a full moon. Eclipses happen only during a new moon phase.
B) - A total solar eclipse only lasts a few minutes and we are told that this darkness lasts 3 hours!
Why is there supernatural darkness over the land during these three hours? This darkness signified at least three things.
It showed the wrath of God being poured out on His Son. It showed a time of mourning such as we see in Amos 8:9-10. And it also showed the reign of evil as predicted by Jesus in Luke 22:53 - about this being their hour - when darkness reigns.
Yet, as we see in our next occurrence, darkness was not having its way… The next event around the death of Christ is that the…
2 - Curtain in the Temple is Torn (Luke 23:45, Matthew 27:51)
Matthew 27:51 tells us that the curtain was torn from top to bottom - meaning that God alone tore the curtain. This curtain that separated man from the Holy of Holies was now torn. According to historians, this curtain was around eighty feet high, twenty-four feet wide, and had a thickness of several inches. This was not something that would be possible for man to tear. Yet, God tore it in an instant.
The significance of this tearing of the curtain cannot be missed. The Holy of Holies was the most sacred place in the temple. It was where the very presence of God was symbolized to dwell. It was only approachable once a year by the High Priest - on the Day of Atonement as seen in Exodus 26:33.
Yet, this place was opened up for all to approach through Jesus Christ who is our Great High Priest. We now have direct access to God the Father through Jesus (Hebrews 6:19)! Jesus removed the need for any earthly priest or mediator. Jesus alone is our mediator. And because of His sacrifice, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence - confidence in His finished work on the cross. The book of Hebrews - especially chapters 6, 9, and 10 go into incredible detail about this.
Next we see some very interesting and supernatural things that happen around the death of Christ…
3 - An Earthquake Occurs (Matthew 27:51)
God shows His judgement through the earthquake that is sent. Isaiah 29:6 mentions an earthquake judgement and Psalm 18:7 speaks of the anger of the Lord causing an earthquake. This must have been terrifying for those witnessing this event.
But later, something even more amazing would happen…
4 - Dead Saints Are Raised (Matthew 27:52-53)
Matthew 27:52-53 tells us that some of the saints of old were raised from the dead. They did not appear to others until after Christ was resurrected. However, they appeared to many in Jerusalem as a testimony to the truth of the Gospel.
Next we see Jesus’s last words as recorded by Luke…
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Just before saying what we see here, Jesus said it is finished as seen in John 19:30. Everything has been accomplished. Salvation has been secured. Jesus has borne the wrath of God for the sins of the world. His work being accomplished, Jesus then says, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” This is yet another Scriptural fulfillment as seen in Psalm 31:5.
After saying this, He then breathes His last.
God-made flesh has died.
The response to these amazing signs is seen by those observing…
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
The scene had previously been one of spewing hate and blasphemy against Jesus. However, it has turned into a somber time of mourning and reflection.
A centurion had been witnessing all of the interchanges of Jesus with those around Him as well as seeing the signs of darkness and the earthquake. He praises God and states that certainly this man was innocent. This appears to be both a judicial innocence as well as a moral innocence. This pagan Gentile was shown the Gospel up close and personal. He was a reminder that all of the nations of the world would be blessed through Jesus’s death. We do not know the final state of this man - but we know he had a great start toward salvation with his declaration about Jesus.
Then we are told that the crowds leave in mourning. Beating their breast was an expression of grief and sorrow and an expression of guilt. They seemed to be expressing some regret over what they had just done. We are not sure how many of these only experienced guilt but never experienced true repentance, however. Feeling bad doesn’t save you. You need to turn from your sins and turn toward Christ in true faith and repentance for salvation.
Finally, we see that His followers and the women who followed Him stood at a distance. They had been there the whole time. Their hearts were broken. One could only imagine what was going through their minds at that time.
They were mourning because Jesus had…
Scripture References: Amos 8:9-10, Luke 22:53, Exodus 26:33, Hebrews 6:19 (Hebrews 6, 9, 10), Isaiah 29:6, Psalm 18:7, John 19:30, Psalm 31:5
IV. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering to the Finish (50-56)
IV. Jesus Christ Walked His Road of Suffering to the Finish (50-56)
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
Now that Jesus has finished His road of suffering, we now hear about a man named Joseph of Arimathea. We discussed him briefly last week. He was a member of the Sanhedrin who did not consent to the religious leader’s evil plot. Luke tells us that this man was good and righteous.
John 19:39 also lets us know that Nicodemus helped Joseph prepare the body of Jesus. Both of these men appear to have been secret followers of Jesus. Their fear of man had kept them from being open about their faith. John 3 tells us that Nicodemus met Jesus at night presumably so that no one would know.
It seems likely that these two men were present for the crucifixion because something changes in them…
This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.
What caused these two men to go from fear to faith?
We can only presume - maybe it was seeing Jesus’s actions from the cross and how He suffered. Maybe it was because of the signs they saw.
Whatever it was, Joseph goes to Pilate with incredible courage and boldness and asks for the body of Jesus. Pilate had obviously had enough of the discussion about Jesus. He was tired of dealing with the Jews. So this could have gone very poorly. Pilate could have reacted very harshly and punished Joseph for even bringing up the name of Jesus.
Yet, God showed favor to Joseph through Pilate as he was given approval to take the body of Jesus for burial.
He and Nicodemus take the body of Jesus down, wrap it in a linen shroud, and lay it in a tomb cut in stone.
This all occurs on what we call Good Friday - which brings up a side note - I hope that you join us this coming Friday for our Good Friday service as we continue to consider the great sacrifice Jesus made for us.
Getting back to our Scripture, Luke tells us that it was the day of preparation for the Sabbath (meaning Friday). Which meant all of their work had to be completed quickly as it was already late afternoon when Jesus died.
Luke finishes with showing the kindness of the women who were followers of Jesus.
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
We are told that the women came and prepared spices and ointments for the body of Jesus as well. They may have felt that Jesus’s body deserved more care than what Nicodemus and Joseph were able to provide in such a short time. So they hurriedly got things ready so that they could go to the tomb on Sunday morning and complete the work of preparing the body of Jesus.
Scripture References: John 19:39, John 3
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, we see this last verse - On the Sabbath Day - meaning Saturday for them at this time - they rested according to the commandment.
This was a very dark Sabbath day for the followers of Jesus. All hope seemed lost. The Son of Man - the Messiah had been crucified. They didn’t understand what had just occurred. They didn’t grasp the saving work that Christ had just done for them on the cross.
They had watched Jesus walk His road of suffering with faithfulness, compassion and forgiveness, and with completeness and finality to the end. Yet, they missed the Scriptural fulfillment that Christ had done. He had given His life so that all those who would trust in Him in faith and repentance could be saved.
Yet, they mourned as those without hope. Tears ran down their cheeks. Their lives were forever changed. Their future was unclear and uncertain. Their purpose was unclear.
What they didn’t understand was that their lives would change in an incredible way the following day.
Church - What is that we know today that they didn’t grasp?
Sunday is coming.
And as we prepare for next week - tell others that Sunday is coming! There is a reason to celebrate. The Savior will not stay in the grave.
Christ Has Risen!
He Has Risen Indeed!
