Why the Cross?

Luke 23: 1-49

Tonight, we gather in the shadow of the cross. Good Friday is not “good” because of what happened to Jesus—it is good because of what His suffering accomplished for us. In Luke 23, we see betrayal, injustice, cruelty, and death. But behind it all, we see something far greater: the plan of God unfolding for the salvation of sinners.

The question we must answer tonight is this: Why did Jesus need to be crucified? And why does it still matter today?

I. Jesus Was Crucified Because Sin Must Be Judged

From the very beginning of Luke 23, Jesus is treated as a criminal.

He is falsely accused (v. 2)

He is mocked by Herod’s soldiers (v. 11)

He is rejected by the crowd (v. 18)

Yet we know this truth: Jesus was innocent.

“So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” (Luke 23:4,)

Pilate privately interrogated Jesus about His kingship because that was the crucial issue, and he concluded that He was guilty of no crime. Three times during the trial, Pilate clearly affirmed the innocence of Jesus (Luke 23:4, 14, 22). Luke reported three other witnesses besides Pilate who also said, “Not guilty!”: King Herod (Luke 23:15), one of the criminals on the cross (Luke 23:41), and a Roman centurion (Luke 23:47).

So why did He die? Because sin demands judgment.

The Bible is clear:

God is holy

Sin is serious

Justice must be satisfied

Romans tells us, “the wages of sin is death.” Every lie, every lust, every act of rebellion against God carries a penalty. Here’s the reality, Either we pay for our sin, or someone pays it for us. So Jesus went to the cross because sin could not simply be ignored. It had to be dealt with.

II. Jesus Was Crucified as Our Substitute

One of the clearest pictures of substitution in this passage is Barabbas. Since it was customary at Passover for the governor to release a prisoner, Pilate offered the Jews a compromise: he would chastise Jesus and let Him go. He had another prisoner on hand, Barabbas, but Pilate was sure the Jews would not want him to be released. After all, Barabbas was a robber (John 18:40), a murderer, and an insurrectionist (Luke 23:19). He may have been a leader of the Jewish Zealots who at that time was working for the overthrow of Rome.

“Then they all cried out at once, saying, ‘Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas’” (Luke 23:18)

Barabbas was:

A rebel

A criminal

A guilty man

And yet… he walked free. Why? Because Jesus took his place. That is not just Barabbas’ story—that is our story.

We are the guilty ones

We are the sinners

We deserve the cross

But Jesus stepped in. Even while being crucified, Jesus is interceding for sinners. Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment we deserved.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

III. Jesus Was Crucified to Provide Forgiveness and Salvation

Look at the conversation between Jesus and the two criminals.

One mocks Him. The other says:

“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

And Jesus responds:

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Think about that moment. It had been prophesied that the Suffering Servant would be “numbered with the transgressors” (Isa. 53:12; Luke 22:37), and two criminals were crucified with Jesus, men who were robbers (Matt. 27:38). The Greek word means “one who uses violence to rob openly,” in contrast to the thief who secretly enters a house and steals. These two men were probably guilty of armed robbery involving murder.

That man:

Had no time to do good works

Had no chance to “clean up his life”

Had nothing to offer

Yet he was saved instantly. Why? Because he cried out to Jesus. Jesus was dying for him. What Jesus did on the cross makes forgiveness possible No matter who you are:

Your past does not disqualify you

Your sin is not too great

Your life is not too far gone

If Jesus can save a dying criminal, He can save anyone.

IV. Jesus Was Crucified to Reconcile Us to God

As Jesus dies, something powerful happens:

“Then the veil of the temple was torn in two.” (Luke 23:45)

That veil separated people from the presence of God. Only the high priest could go behind it—and only once a year. But when Jesus died, the veil was torn. This miracle announced to the priests and people that the way into God’s presence was open for all who would come to Him by faith through Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:1–10:25). No more do sinners need earthly temples, altars, sacrifices, or priests, for all had now been fulfilled in the finished work of the Son of God.

Sin had separated us from God—but what Jesus did on the cross made a way back for us.

Now, through Jesus:

We have access to God

We can come boldly before Him

We can have a personal relationship with Him At the cross Jesus didn’t just forgive us—He restored us.

V. Jesus Was Crucified to Reveal the Love of God

Finally, we must not miss this: The cross is the greatest display of love the world has ever seen.

Jesus was:

Beaten

Mocked

Nailed to a cross

Suffocated in agony

And yet He stayed there. Why? Not because He had to—but because He chose to.

“Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” (Luke 23:46)

This was actually a bedtime prayer used by Jewish children, and it tells us how our Lord died: confidently, willingly (John 10:17–18), and victoriously. Those who know Jesus as their Saviour may die with the same confidence and assurance.

Jesus willingly gave His life. The centurion, seeing all this, said:

“Certainly this was a righteous Man!” (Luke 23:47)

The cross reveals:

The seriousness of our sin

The holiness of God

And the depth of God’s love

God didn’t just say He loves you—He proved it at the cross.

Conclusion

Why did Jesus need to be crucified?

Because sin had to be judged

Because we needed a substitute

Because forgiveness had to be provided

Because God wanted to restore us

Because He loves us

As the crowd left that day, Luke tells us:

And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. (Luke 23:48)

They were convicted. The question is, are we? Tonight, don’t just observe the cross. Come to the cross.

Bring your sin. Bring your guilt. Bring your brokenness.

And hear the words of Jesus: “Father, forgive them…”

Like the thief on the cross, simply come in faith: “Lord, remember me.” And He will. He always does.