LUKE 23:47. “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous man’.”
A RIGHTEOUS MAN. “Led Him” [v.1]: just like the prophet said, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.” “This fellow” [v.2]: just like the prophet said, “He was despised and rejected of men.” “Christ a King” [v.2]: just like the woman at the well said, “When Messiah comes…” “King of the Jews” [v.3]: just like David said, “The Lord said unto my Lord…” “This man” [v.4]: the only man holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. “He stirreth up the people” [v.5]: The Word was made flesh… full of grace and truth. “A Galilaean” [v.6]: can any good thing come out of Nazareth. “Miracle done by Him” [v.8]: Herod had his chance with John – no John, no Jesus! “Set Him at nought” [v.11]: when we shall see Him, there is no beauty… “Mocked Him” [v.11]: He was the song of the drunkard. “Arrayed Him” [v.11]: a stranger to his mother’s children. “Sent Him again” [v.11]: rejected “One that perverteth” [v.14]: false accusations “No fault in this man” [v.14]: in Him is no guile, neither was there deceit… “Away with this man” [v.18]: this Man receiveth sinners… “No cause of death in him” [v.22]: He has the keys of life and death. “Bewailed and lamented him” [v.27]: a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. “They crucified him” [v.33]: they pierced My hands and My feet. “Then said Jesus, ‘Father forgive them’” [v.34]: who can forgive sins but God only. “They parted his garments and cast lots” [v.35]: prophecy was fulfilled. “Derided him” [v.35]: numbered with the transgressors. “If he be Christ” [v.35]: his own received him not. “The chosen of God” [v.35]: “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” “King of the Jews” [v.37]: he came unto his own. “Written over Him” [v.37]: that all might see the reason we, forevermore must love Him. “King of the Jews” [v.38]: My kingdom is not of this world. “Railed on him” [v.39]: blasphemed the Son of God “If thou be the Christ” [v.39]: questioned his person and nature. “This man hath done nothing amiss” [v.41]: in him was no sin… knew no sin... did no sin “Lord” [v.42]: Christ both died and rose and revived that He might be Lord. “I say unto thee” [v.43]: the promises of God are “yea and Amen.” In every way, men tried to deny Him, denigrate Him, demean Him, despise Him and destroy Him – but in every way He proved He was a “righteous Man.”
“O Holy God, who in boundless grace allowed Thy Son to be humiliated by men and put to an open shame: I never cease to worship when I come to places like Luke 23 where the Lord Jesus Christ is so openly displayed to the view of men. He pleased Thee in the carrying out of justice; in the offering of Himself without spot; in fulfilling all righteousness; in fully dealing with all the claims that were against me. I thank Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”