Luke 23

Read Luke 23

Passage chosen for meditation: The whole chapter of Luke 23.

Reflect

From the accounts in this passage, how do you think Jesus suffered? What were the things he had to face or go through?

How many types of people do you see? How would you group them? 

What were the last words of Jesus? Do they bear any significance for you?

What does Luke 9: 23 say about the Cross? In relation to the Cross, how do you reconcile the instruction given by Jesus and the injustice faced by Jesus in this passage? 

What other truths or lessons are there? 

Relate

Luke 23 is the author's account of the moments leading to the crucifixion and the events thereafter.

From this account and also other gospels', Jesus is seen to suffer pain on all fronts - physical, spiritual, mental and emotional, though Luke seems to play down the physical aspect a notch or two.

The pain that Jesus endured was excruciating by all accounts. The word itself was derived from 'cruci - fixion'. It was inflicted in series and from all sides. No part of him, from head to feet and from the outside to the inside, was spared. It was painful even to breathe and speak. Adding agony to it, during the entire time, he received not the support of friends nor loved ones who had either distanced themselves, or could only watch helplessly from a distance while others accused, mocked and ridiculed him. Even then, the greatest pain borne by him was not any one of these, but the pain of separation from the Father. In the same manner, for those who have yet to return to the Father, they would one day experience a similar pain of separation, whereas for us, Jesus has already borne this pain on our behalf.

Among the crowd, individuals and groups who were participating in or witnessing the crucifixion, there were leaders, judges, soldiers, women, those being spared or saved, and a few good men to boot – a rather wide cross - section of the community. But of the lot, majority had turned their backs on him except for the women and a few good men.

The leaders had brought false allegations against him out of jealousy. The crowd had betrayed him, especially those who had shouted "Hosanna" just days earlier, were now singing another tune: "Crucify him". The judges, both Pilate and Herod, were equally playing with his life. They had no intention of upholding the truth even though the truth was laid bare before them. They served only their penchant for popularity and curiosity. Lastly, the soldiers, a roguish bunch desensitised to blood and gore, were the brutal enforcers.

Other than those mentioned, there was a man spared who was a murderer by the name of Barabbas. And another man saved who was a criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus. They were possibly the earliest beneficiaries of the Cross.

Besides the women, there were a few good men who took the side of Jesus. One of them was Simon, a pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem from North Africa. He was randomly tasked to carry the cross for Jesus. It could be said that he was the first person to carry the cross and follow Jesus, albeit literally. Evidence suggests that his sons would later become leaders among the early Christians (Mark 15:21 and Romans 16:13). Then, there was the centurion who praised God and attested to the righteousness of Jesus after witnessing the whole spectacle of the crucifixion. He was arguably the first of the Gentile worshippers. Lastly, there was Joseph of Arimathea who asked for Jesus' body to be laid in a tomb that he had provided for. Any unclaimed body, if not cared for, would be left to rot and eaten by wild animals. In his own way, he served God in whichever capacity he could, without fear of intimidation or pressure.

Jesus made two very noteworthy statements near the time of his death. It is said that the last words of a person on deathbed are the most important. They're either something closest to the heart or burdening the heart the most.

One of the two statements uttered by Jesus on the cross is 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' These difficult final words of Jesus were a testament to what he had taught (Matthew 5: 11) in the beatitudes. Another man who shared the same sentiments as Jesus during his last days is Paul (2 Timothy 4: 16). He had, in fact, once declared that he wanted to know Christ and participate in his sufferings, becoming like Christ in his death (Philippians 3: 10). Paul, too, was true to his words. The person that we should be becoming is not a successful person, but a truthful, grateful and forgiving person.

The other statement was uttered as Jesus breathed his last, with all the strength he could summon when breathing became more and more difficult and painful. It is "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." These are charged words of a finisher. It is a victory cry, the greatest there will ever be. For the great work of redemption is finally completed. It is finished indeed. 

Many of us working in big secular organisations would be familiar with the practice of being issued with an ID for a job. Once the job is finished, we would surrender the ID. Likewise, Jesus was issued with a spirit to do the job of redemption. Once, the work was completed, he handed it back to God. And he did with a cry of victory, no less! 

In Luke 9: 23, Jesus exhorts all believers to deny themselves, carry their cross daily and follow him. In this passage, we know what a cross means. Injustice, humiliation and pain heavily surround the cross. But what really transpires on the cross should be the thing that blows our minds, not so much the forbearance. Therefore, Luke 9: 23 is an invitation to come forward and not be affected or discouraged by the injustice, humiliation and pain. Since the cross stands for God's mission, be a true finisher instead by letting out a well deserving victory cry at the end.

However, after all that, the most amazing thing about the cross is still the love displayed. It was love that kept Jesus on the cross, not those nails. 

Indeed, love is not self - seeking. It keeps no record of wrongs. It endures all things. It never fails. There is nothing greater than love.

Rest

Lord, help us to forgive others. All the injustice, humiliation and pain, help us forgive those who have caused them or done them to us. Help us also to take up our cross. The cross is your mission for us. For that is how we follow you. Help us then be a finisher, finishing with a victory cry that touches the very core of your heart.

Naville Chia