LUKE 23 v.1-12. THE CHARGES AGAINST THE LORD JESUS: Pilate/ Herod. Three false charges: Perverting the nation: His accusers charged He was promoting discontent in the people. Forbidding to give tribute: He had taught they were to give tribute to whom tribute is due. Challenging the government: He was rejected because He didn’t overthrow the Romans. He made clear to Pilate His kingdom was a spiritual one. Pilate recognized the false charges for what they were. Herod wanted his curiosity satisfied by seeing a miracle. Poor beggars that wanted relief were granted miracles, but miracles must never be made cheap. Omnipotence is never at the beck and call of an earthly king. Herod and his men of war were abusive. He didn’t listen to John the Baptist, the messenger, so that was enough rejection that the Master/King would not speak to him: no John, no Jesus. Knowledge without grace leads to mockery and abuse. Agreeing between themselves was the result of uniting against Jesus.
v.13-25. THE COMPARISONS AGAINST THE LORD JESUS: The people/ Barabbas. Characteristics of men under Satan’s control: Chief priests and rulers: liars and deceivers.
Pilate: without integrity; self-serving; afraid of the people; not willing to assume responsibility (sent Jesus to Herod); compromising (chastised Jesus); morally weak; a people pleaser; cowardly (afraid of losing Caesar’s favor). Barabbas: rebellious; a terrorist; a murderer; dangerous. The people: unjust; unreasonable; easily manipulated; clamorous; fickle; sensation-seeking; blood- thirsty; furious; hateful; cruel.
v.26-31. THE COMPASSION OF THE LORD JESUS: Simon/ daughters of Jerusalem. On the road to Calvary:
- The Lamb of God being led to the slaughter.
- Simon: going against the crowd; of a different culture; bearing the cross after Jesus (perhaps the long end of the cross).
- Mourners: great multitude; women who valued Him; wept for Him and for what would happen to Him.
- Daughters of Jerusalem: a general reason to not weep for Him – the death of Christ was unique and ultimately a victorious death ending in His resurrection. A particular reason for them to weep for themselves was the coming destruction of Jerusalem. They will even wish themselves to be childless and buried alive. He had wept over Jerusalem and now tells them to do the same. If the Jews would do such a thing to Him (a green tree); what will happen to them in whom is no life (Jewish nation)?
v.32-43. THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE LORD JESUS: Rulers-soldiers/criminals. The observers:
- The malefactors (thieves): began mocking Him as the Son of God [Mat.27]; one was impudent and hardened right to the end; one is humbled, is softened, repents and calls on the name of the Lord. “Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- The soldiers: mocked Him as a King. There is an ignorance because of a lack of knowledge. They picked up this refrain from the rulers.
- The rulers and the people: mocked Him as a pretended Messiah.
The Intercessor:
- Christ prayed for their forgiveness because He was dying to purchase forgiveness of sins. Christ intercedes for all who repent and believe.
- Christ to the thief: the word of assurance was to him alone. It was the word of the King of the kingdom. It was a word of far greater blessing than he had ever expected.
v.44-49. THE CONFESSION OF THE LORD JESUS: Centurion/acquaintances.
- The centurion: “saw what was done…”; sun darkened for three hours; veil rent; the loud voice of triumph; glorified God; testified as to who Christ was – “…a righteous Man.”
- The spectators: disinterested at first; now afraid; conscience awakened; stopped speaking; smote upon their breast as evidence of wrong; returned home; were not really changed.
- His acquaintance: afar off; kept their distance for fear of being identified with Him; not willing to act in faith.
v.50-56. THE CARE FOR THE LORD JESUS: Joseph/ the women. “He was brought into the dust of death.” Ps.22:15. Joseph: a man of character; a man of unspotted reputation; a man of courage (not consented); not a man of outward show; a man ready to do real service; a man of conviction (begged the body); a man of determination (took it down); a man of generosity (his own tomb). The women: at the funeral of the Lord Jesus there was Joseph, Nicodemus and the women from Galilee. It was apparently a silent funeral. These women were led to the grave by their affection for the Lord Jesus. They prepared spices and precious ointments because of the honor they wanted to show Him. Yet they kept the word of the Lord on the Sabbath.