Luke 23:26-43

In the story of Abraham and Isaac there is a type and foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus. Isaac carried the wood for his own death up the hill unknowingly. Jesus knowingly carried the means of his death. Isaac was spared at the last minute. Jesus was not. 

Luke tells us where Simon was from. Who was Simon the Cyrene? Cyrene was a small settlement of Jews in Northern Africa that included Gentile converts. He came in for the Passover and sabbatical. Mark adds “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” The only reason to add this detail is that this family is known in the early church. 

Romans 16:13 Paul mentions Rufus and his mother. 

1. What Make & Luke are establishing the trustworthiness of the Gospel by pointing out eye witnesses that can be asked. 

2. Never underestimate the power of your testimony in sharing the Gospel. 

The guard was not being kind by having someone help Jesus carry the cross. They are trying to make sure they can carry out the order to crucify and not have Jesus die before getting there. Simon picks up the cross and follows Jesus. The outsider becomes the living embodiment of what the Gospel looks like. 

While carrying his cross and struggling up the hill, Jesus sees women sobbing and he comforts them. They were followers of Jesus. Calling them “Women of Jerusalem” he is pointing to what is about to happen in Jerusalem. If Rome is willing to be this violent to someone as tender and gentle as Jesus, what will happen when I am gone and Israel continues to provoke Rome? Jesus in this moment is still pleading with the Jews to change their hearts. 

“And there they crucified him.” We don’t have the context that the first century reader. 

Jesus has already been beaten beyond recognition. The stibulum (cross beam of the cross) weighed about 80 lbs. They intentionally use blunt, square, rusty nails. You don’t bleed out or starve on a cross. You suffocate. The effort put into the few words that he spoke in the cross was beyond belief. 

This didn’t just happen to Jesus. It is why He came. Luke has been moving toward and foreshadowing the cross in every word starting with Simeon’s words in Luke 2. 

This wasn’t just a symbolic act! That would be a self manufactured gesture of insanity if it doesn’t accomplish something real. What did this crucifixion accomplish? Jesus took our brokenness, wickedness, hurt, and sin to the cross. Part of the ritual of crucifixion was to recite “May my death atone for my sins.” Instead Jesus says, “May my death atone for their sins.”  

Vs 39-43 The thieves: One says “remember me when you become King.” Jesus answer was probably comforting and disappointing at the same time. The thief probably still thought there was a chance that Jesus would jump off of the cross and save them both. Jesus’ answer tells him that they are both going to die to today. 

What brings you to Jesus is what keeps you to Jesus: show and emotion? Problem fixing? That He is the king?