Crucifixion Perspectives

Introduction

I found an illustration of a famous lesson often taught to people about perspective…

A group of scientists are blindfolded and sent into a room with an elephant and they are to figure out what it is simply by touching one part of the elephant...

One touches the tusk and believes it’s a spear;

Another touches the trunk and believes it’s a snake;

One touches the leg and believes it’s a tree;

Another touches the tail and believes it’s a rope;

One touches it’s side and believes it’s a wall;

Another touches it’s ear an believes it’s a fan.

The point being, we often judge things in the world according to our own perspective, failing to see things from a broader, unbiased perspective.

In Luke 23, Luke presents several different perspectives on the crucifixion, allowing his readers to look through the eyes of others to see the cross of Jesus.

With each perspective there is a vital lesson to be learned.

Now, we don’t know if the people in the story learned these lessons, but we can today.

So, imagine for a moment that you were in the crowd that day, seeing all of this unfolding before you.

In fact, look at Luke 23:35a...

Body - Luke 23:26-43

Perspective #1: Simon of Cyrene (v. 26)

We know almost nothing about this man.

He had two sons, Alexander and Rufus…(we learn that in Mark’s Gospel)

He was from Northern Africa, likely modern-day Libya...

He was a Jewish pilgrim, coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his sons...

And yet, when he arrives he is thrust into a situation that seemed to have little to do with him. And yet, he is forced to do something that would be told throughout the rest of human history.

The Lesson: Simon unknowingly becomes the example for Christ’s church.

In fact, he perfectly illustrates one of Jesus most famous teachings:

Matthew 16:24–26 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Here, Simon is forced to take up Jesus cross and follow Him…but, in doing so Simon had to deny his own perceived “rights” and take the heavy cross-beam on his own shoulder.

This would be an action that Jesus friend’s might be expected to do for Him…yet they all abandoned Him.

But, from that point on, anyone who would be a follower of Jesus needed to take up their own instrument of death, deny themselves, and follow the blood-stained path that Jesus made for us.

Timeless Lesson: Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Perspective #2: The Women (v. 27-31)

Jesus words to the women are a prophecy of the future of Jerusalem.

A prophecy that would be fulfilled in A.D. 70 with the fall of Jerusalem.

So, while they weep for Jesus now because of the horrible scene in front of them, they would soon be weeping for themselves if they didn’t repent.

The Lesson: Jerusalem would soon face the judgment of God.

Timeless Lesson: Sin will always bring about judgment.

Perspective #3: The Roman Soldiers (v. 33-34 & 36-37)

What an ugly scene!

Crucifixion...

Like a common criminal...

His meager clothing in gambled over...

He is openly mocked...

And yet, there was Jesus, forgiving their ignorance!

The Lesson: While the soldiers mistreated Jesus, He forgave them because of their ignorance.

Timeless Lesson: Christians must be quick to forgive people, especially those who don’t know any better.

Perspective #4: The Rulers (v. 35 & 38)

The religious leaders take Jesus inaction as a confirmation of their actions against Him.

What they don’t realize is that it is through His inaction here that they might have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven.

The Lesson: Jesus could not save Himself because He came to save others.

Timeless Lesson: Jesus willingly endured the cross and death because His mission is to seek and save the lost.

Perspective #5: The Criminals (v. 32 & 39-43)

We see here a picture of self-preservation...

We see another picture of self-reflection...

Finally, we see a greater picture of total forgiveness...

Timeless Lesson: Those who seek to be saved by Jesus will never be put to shame.

So What?

What should the crowds have learned that we would be foolish to miss ourselves?

Sin brings judgment.

Jesus became sin for people.

People need to follow Jesus.

Followers of Jesus seek to imitate Him by bearing a cross.

Followers of Jesus seek to imitate Him by extending forgiveness.