Luke 23:1-49
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.” When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely 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 this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah 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 there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Reflection
A bogus trial and an angry crowd led to the crucifixion of Jesus. People upset and shouting. People feeling tricked and betrayed. People expecting a political king with power to conquer but come to see only a man willing to save.
Jesus willing to save all peoples. The people don’t understand this. So instead they cry to release the murderer and crucify Jesus. After all Jesus isn’t going to do any of us any good like this. Jesus is weak and powerless. Jesus is nothing before Pilate and Herod. Jesus is a nobody.
Even on the cross Jesus is meek. Jesus is so humble he is useless to all people.
What a disgrace we have in Jesus! His ministry and miracles all for nothing. Jesus couldn’t lead anyone in power and strength. See how he hangs helpless on the cross! What a waste of flesh!
But the Jesus says something. Jesus says something just as he is dying. Jesus cries out in a loud voice! He says to his Father, who he claims is God, “Father, I give you my life.” And then… and then… and then… Jesus dies.
Jesus gave his life to God. Jesus came in flesh and blood not to rule with armies and weapons. Jesus didn’t come to kill and destroy. Jesus came to rebuild, to recreate, and to make new, to save. The Father sent Jesus not to do what we, the people, think needs done with our human bent on power and prestige and strength. God sent Jesus to save us from sin, death and the devil. God sent Jesus to save us. God sent Jesus to give his life first to the Father and finally to all people for the forgiveness of sin.
God sent Jesus! The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit is, through the death of Jesus, now the path to salvation for all people. Adam sinned… we all sin… but Jesus didn’t sin. Jesus gave himself and his life to God for our sin.
An angry crowd… people upset and shouting… we didn’t have a clue did we. Yes, we… we all were there. We all have taken part in the crucifixion of Jesus. Thanks be to God, Jesus took part in the salvation. Thanks be to God for you… for me… and for all people that God loves us so much that he sent Jesus… humble… obedient… serving… and loving to save the world. Yes… Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Father; I am silenced by your grace. I am speechless. I sit… I listen… I observe you alone. I see Love. You are my God and my Savior… today… tomorrow… and forever. --- Amen
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