LUKE 23

We have become so familiar with the stories of Pilate and the ensuing crucifixion, that I wonder if they become “quick reads” when we get to them. My challenge for myself was to read this chapter slowly, deliberately, just to try to take in the account of the Savior’s treatment this last day as a human. Let the crucifixion sink in, as if it were a fresh story.

Jesus begins this day before Pilate, and His first accusers have lied to place Jesus here. Pilate can see their motives, and when he finds no fault with Jesus, he pushes him along to Herod, since Herod is in charge of the Galilean region, where Jesus is from. Herod’s headquarters would have also been in Jerusalem, likely in an adjacent building.

Herod had wanted such a meeting with Jesus, remember? It turns out he wanted to see some miracles; he wanted to see Jesus perform. Jesus showed him nothing, and He did not even answer questions. Besides Herod asking questions, the chief priests and scribes are lobbing accusations, one after the other. No response from Jesus, so back to Pilate He goes. As a result of this interaction, Herod and Pilate became friends, politically-speaking.

Pilate offers to appease the crowd by a harsh punishment of Jesus. Rather, they choose to have Barabbas released, asking for Jesus’ death, death by crucifixion. Their voices prevailed, and for political expedience, Pilate issues the order. We know Jesus was scourged, from other accounts, readying His body to die.

What impact do you think there was on Simon, the one from Cyrene, who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross? By this time, Jesus had been scourged; He would have been bleeding badly and so weak that He could not even carry the beam that would be used to hold Him in place while He died. From the standpoint of all people being sinners, that beam belonged to Simon, it belonged to me and you. And Simon got to set it down, and step away, while they nailed Jesus to it.

What else is there to say about the crucifixion? This was an agonizing, tortuous way to die. The one on a cross would serve as an example and deterrent to others considering messing with Rome. Deep down, the Jewish leaders had to hate that Rome would do such a thing to citizens of Israel, as these leaders hated being occupied by Rome. This day, however, they were good with it.

So many scriptures and prophecies were fulfilled. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and others came to life with His treatment that Good Friday. Psalms 31 and 38 are good supplementary reads as well. Even “small” details like being killed along with other criminals were predicted by the prophets. Sadly, those mocking Him missed His message. Many who watched Him enter the city earlier that week and who were intrigued by His arrival were there to sneer at the helpless Jesus, who asked the Father to forgive them.


One of the thieves on the cross gets it. Not baptized, not a believer very long, he got to enter Paradise with the Savior that day.

Powerful darkness engulfed the land for three hours in the middle of the day. When the temple veil tore, it did so from top to bottom, according to Matthew. This veil, or curtain, would have been inches thick, and to even imagine tearing it would have meant cutting it at the bottom and splitting it by pulling the sides away from each other. But as it happened, the tearing was in God’s hands. The Holy of Holies was now open to all, access to God was granted to the individual who will trust what Jesus has done.


In verse 55, we see that the ladies followed Joseph of Arimathea and his helpers (Nicodemus was there) as they laid the body in the tomb. The ladies saw the tomb, and how His body was wrapped and laid. They knew where to return after the Sabbath, to complete His burial properly.

SO WHAT...?

So, I must admit, it is very hard to read this account and really put myself in that scene. I never want to see anything so gruesome. Jesus knew my sin already, and He did this to save me.

So, I am reminded of how all Scripture, all of history revolves around this moment, this act of Jesus sacrificially giving of Himself. I am humbled by God’s plan.

So someone I know, or perhaps a stranger, and neighbor, someone needs to hear this story. Who better to tell that person, than me? Join me in telling someone, today.