A Moment In God’s Presence Can Change a Whole Story

Jesus Died as the Son of God, Our Savior

 Luke 23:26-49;                 2013 Harper-NIU-DuPageJointEasterBibleSchool Opening Message

Key Verse: 43                   (Kevin Jesmer) March 22 (Friday)

^“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

What things change us forever? Are they not acts of unconditional love and sacrifice? Just hearing stories of people laying down their lives for others moves my heart to tears. Like the story about the pastor on the Titanic who gave his life jacket to an unsaved passenger and spent his last dying moments swimming from passenger to passenger pleading with them to accept Jesus. Ultimately the one act of love that motivates all of us, I am sure, was Jesus’ sacrificial love revealed through his Passion. In this passage we will observe Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross by seeing various people interacting with the Lord. Simply witnessing and interacting with Jesus in his Passion was enough to change the story of their lives forever. Let’s see…

Part 1: The Witnesses In the Presence of Jesus’ Passion

There were certain people who witnessed Jesus’ passion. They were Simon, those weeping, the criminal, the centurion, those watching, and the women. Let’s follow their stories and in doing so come to our Savior, Jesus. First, in verse 26 we meet Simon. “As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”  Simon, a pilgrim, was from Cyrene, an ancient Greek city in modern day Libya. It had a Jewish community where 100,000 Jews had settled around 300 B.C. The Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue in Jerusalem, where many went for annual feasts. Simon was such a Jew.

It was not easy for Simon to travel 1000 miles. He thought his suffering would end when he got to Jerusalem, but not quite. Jesus was coming down the, “Via De la Rosa”. Jesus had stayed up all night prosecuted in a kangaroo court. He was flogged, incurring a dizzying array of wounds. The crowd humiliated him thinking him a criminal. The cross-beam weighed 70 pounds. It rubbed his shoulders, causing stinging pain. Jesus stumbled under its weight. It was 1.5 miles to Golgotha and it looked like he wasn’t going to make it and so soldiers seized Simon and made him carry the cross behind Jesus. At first he protested, but after taking the blood soaked beam from Jesus’ shoulders, Simon looked into Jesus’ eyes. He didn’t see the eyes of a guilty, angry or defeated man. He saw the determined, loving eyes of a man on a mission to save others. His heart was changed.

Simon’s call to carry the cross was God’s grace. His heart was prepped to discover Jesus’ true identity. As a Jew, he would have understood the significance of Isaiah 53 with verses like; “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (4-5) Sharing in Christ’s sufferings made these verses come alive. Simon was on his way to meeting Christ very personally. In fact there is Biblical evidence that he and his sons, Alexander and Rufus, became influential Christian leaders. (Ro 16:13) Some link Simon with the “men of Cyrene” who preached the Gospel to the Greeks. (Acts 11:20) Indeed, when one meets Jesus personally, through sharing in Christ’s sufferings, their whole life stories are transformed by the grace of God.

Next we meet women who wept for Jesus.Look at verses 28-29.  ^“Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’” Why did Jesus say such hard things to those empathizing with him? Jesus was concerned about their eternal destiny. These weeping people did not see Jesus as their Savior. They saw Jesus as a young man, like their own sons, whose life was coming to a tragic end. Jesus wanted to help them have a correct perception. Jesus knew how utterly corrupt the world had become because of sin. Because of this fact, Jesus was now suffering. Jesus knew that these people must live in a world ruled by sin and headed for judgment. And this judgment was coming soon. Jesus saw 40 years into the future, when the Roman General Titus would come and besiege Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of Jewish people would starve, suffer and die. Parents would see their own children starving or killed. The single women, who never gave birth, would not see the suffering of their own children and therefore be blessed.

They should not weep at Jesus’ suffering. But there is something they should weep for. Look at verse 28 again, “Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.’”  Jesus wanted them to care about theirs’ and others eternal salvation. Jesus knew that humanity would get more hardened. He said in verse 31, “For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  Jesus was with them. They heard him preach, they saw the miracles. The kingdom of God came to them freshly like a green tree. But there will be a time when the tree is dry, when the memory of Jesus’ earthly ministry fades. If humanity was behaving like this when Jesus was alive, suffering for them, right before their very eyes, what will they do later? The times will only get worse. Ultimately, the times will continue to unfold until the time of the end, when all people will stand before the judgment seat. Jesus will come again as judge of the living and the dead. Those who are prone to yell, “Crucify him!” will have no where to hide. They will face the judgment alone, without a Savior to plead their forgiveness. Their shame and guilt will cause them to cry out, “…mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” (30) But those who have faith in Jesus live in a totally different reality, for they have a savior who suffered and died for them that they may have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. On that Great Day, they will cry out, “Thank you Lord Jesus!” as they are lifted up to glory.

The senseless mob then proceeded with the crucifixion. After being nailed, Jesus was left hanging. Eight inch nails were driven into his wrists so that his hands wouldn’t tear away. The tendon was broken, forcing Jesus to use his back to breathe. His feet were nailed together, making him support himself on a single nail which he could not do because of the pain. The crown of thorns cut deeply into his scalp. Jesus endured this reality for over three hours. A few minutes before he died, Jesus stopped bleeding.  He poured water from his wounds. Jesus had no more blood to bleed out. And there he hung, dying. Imagine the struggle, the suffering, and yet…see the courage born from his love.

Next, we see the criminals. Verses 32-33 read, “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” This is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 which reads, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”  Though his was innocent, Jesus was not a victim. Jesus knew exactly what he was getting into. When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he was baptized by John. As he approached, John cried out, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (Jn 1:29) Jesus knew that he was sent to this world by the Father, on a mission to be the sacrificial Lamb, a lamb whose shed blood had power to procure the complete forgiveness of anyone who believes. Anyone!

Jesus saw how blind the people who were. They were committing an atrocity by crucifying their own King. (38) They caused suffering to the innocent. Yet, Jesus did not hold this against them. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…’”  (34a) Jesus knew that they didn’t know what they are doing and that the battle was not against flesh and blood, but that it was a spiritual battle. The soldiers did not know what they were doing when they crucified him and gambled for his clothes. The people did not know what they were saying when they mocked their Savior. Most people would be cursing their tormentors. But Jesus prayed for their forgiveness. This is the ultimate in grace and mercy.

The cross reveals the loving heart of our God. The cross is where the justice and mercy of God meet. God is holy, righteous and just. God is also loving, compassionate and merciful. Human beings have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) They must pay for the sins that have committed. How could God judge sin and yet save sinners? The answer is, Jesus suffered and died on the cross as the Lamb of God.  All of the punishment that is due us for our sin was poured out on Jesus. His holy blood, shed on the cross, takes away the sins of the world. The demands of sin are pain in full. Now the righteous and holy God can say, “I completely forgive you of your sins. The debt was paid by the suffering and death of my Son, Jesus. Enter into my presence.”  This grace is about to be revealed to one of the two criminals. Let’s see.

Jesus hung between the two criminals, one repentant and the other not. The sign above his head read, “The King of the Jews”. It was true. Jesus is the King of the Jews and the King of the whole universe. He is a king who came to die to save his people from their sins and bring them to his everlasting kingdom. Not everyone could see this truth, including one criminal. He cried out, ““Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  This man was unrepentant. We can’t blame him. He was desperately suffering. We shouldn’t judge him, for Jesus was even praying for his forgiveness and dying for him. But we can not help but think that he should have just humbly confessed, repented and believed in Jesus. Instead he was used to play the devil’s advocate, mocking and tempting Jesus to save himself.

But there was one criminal who was humble, convinced of his own sin. Indignant over the injustice poured out on Jesus, he rebuked his fellow criminal saying, ““Don’t you fear God,” …since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” The criminal had a heart filled with humble confession. He was ready to accept Jesus as his Savior. Though he was dying in excruciating pain, his heart was transformed. He was filled with God’s hope. He tasted God’s love. His weak body mustered enough strength to utter the most beautiful words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

These were the words that Jesus was longing to hear and he responded immediately. Look at verse 43, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Jesus was not joking. After their relatively short time of suffering, their life in this world would end. This man would be reconciled with God and enter into paradise with Jesus because he had received the complete forgiveness of sins. What a gift! He didn’t have to do anything for this gift. What could he do?  His hands and his feet were nailed to the cross! His reconciliation came through faith in Jesus’ shed blood alone.

All of creation mourned the dying Jesus. Look at verses 44-45a, ““It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining….” The darkening of the sun revealed God’s heart. Darkness represents both a lament (Amos 8:9–10) and divine judgment (Ex. 10:21–23). God lamented over humanity’s unjust treatment of his Son and stubborn refusal to repent and believe.  Judgment was coming upon this world because of sins. But for all believers, that judgment was now being poured out on Jesus on the cross! Jesus was completely bearing God’s wrath, on himself, for his people. Praise the Lord!

Jesus opened free access to the Father.  Look at verse 45b, “…And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” The Jews felt that God dwelled in a sacred place where only specially chosen, consecrated priests could enter once a year to offer up prayers for the people. The other people gathered outside the inner sanctuary, unable to approach the Holy of Holies. But through Jesus’ death, the dividing wall, which kept people separated from God, is no longer there. Based on Jesus’ death, we are now free to enter into His presence. The holy God can also come and dwell in the hearts of forgiven sinners.

Next, the centurion. Look at verse 47, “The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’”  A centurion is a Roman officer in charge of a hundred men. He witnessed thousands of crucifixions with men begging for mercy. What this centurion saw when Jesus died, moved his heart. He saw Jesus’ attitude toward his enemies. He forgave them. He heard Jesus speak to the repentant criminal. He accepted him. Rather than complaining, he heard Jesus’ prayer, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” He saw Jesus willingly give his life for others. He saw the darkness synchronized with Jesus’ death. He knew that Jesus was a righteous man. What is more, in Mark 15:39 a he said, “…Surely this man was the Son of God!”  Jesus, in his death, reveals his divine nature as the Son of God. May we behold Jesus on the cross and confess that Jesus is the Son of God along with this centurion.

     In verse 48 we see the reaction of the people, “When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.” Beating their breasts is symbolic of grief and repentance. Up to this point they thought of Jesus as a common criminal. But now, before the crucified Christ, they were cut to the heart…convicted of their own sins. “They beat their breasts and went away.” This is a good thing, for with this condition of heart they were well on their way to accepting Jesus as their Savior.

There were those who knew him. Look at verse 49. This could be referring to his disciples.  They didn’t know what to do at the sight of their dying Lord. Their hearts were churning within them. Yet Jesus’ death was giving them strength. Soon Nicodemus and Joseph would come out of the closet and identify themselves as Jesus’ followers. And there were the women. Look at verse 49, “…including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” The women loved Jesus. How Jesus treated women was revolutionary in that legalistic society. Jesus respected, honored and served them. They were so sad at how their beloved Jesus was treated. Standing before their crucified Lord, fanned into flame their desire to show love to Jesus just one more time.

Part ll: What About Our Response To The Crucified Christ?

In light of all this wonderful grace, how should we respond? First, thankfulness. Second, thankfulness. And third, thankfulness. Then consider the witnesses. They were simply observing and interacting with the Passion of Jesus. Therefore, I propose that, after giving deep thanks, we should take time to meditate on and pray about the meaning of Jesus Passion for us. Then the whole story of our lives will be supernaturally changed by God. What about coming to know Christ more through sharing in his sufferings like Simon? What about praying for ourselves and our children, as Jesus instructed the weeping women? What about confessing our sins and asking Jesus to take us to be with him in his Kingdom, like the criminal? What about focusing on the events of Jesus’ Passion and discovering for ourselves that Jesus is the Son of God, as the centurion? These are all great suggestions.

But the bottom line is that we have been reconciled to God through the death of Jesus. This has certain ramifications. Listen to what 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 reads, “¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sinfor us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The death of Jesus reconciles us with God. Because Jesus died as the Lamb of God, God is not counting our sins against us. This is God’s heart. He really wants to be reconciled to his people. His love caused him to go to this extreme, the death of his Son. How can we not be moved by this and long to be reconciled with God also? As recipients of God’s grace, we must stand on the Gospel and proclaim that mercy and grace. Believe the mercy given us through Jesus’ death. Stand in it. Engage it and proclaim that mercy all the time and everywhere. God is literally entrusting us, his redeemed people, with the ministry of reconciliation!  That is our mission. This is why we are left for our short time in this world.  Everyone needs to know this good news….that we are reconciled to God through the death of his Son, Jesus Christ.