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Luke 23 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Crucifixion

²⁶ And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. ²⁸ But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. Jesus endured much suffering on the cross. And, for us, the road to follow Christ is one of the cross. We must be prepared to suffer and even to die just as Jesus did.  Are you ready for it?  Will you continue to go on this road?
2. Just before His death, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. In fact, our attitudes toward Jesus are similar to those people on that day: rebellious, neglecting, even rejecting Him? Therefore, in some way, we were all among the crowd putting Jesus to death.  So, Jesus’ prayer has included forgiveness for you and me, the sinners.
3. Continue to meditate on this thought. Afterward, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, I reread today the scriptures depicting You crucified for us, and I feel as if I am standing beside Your cross, with those who put You to death, watching You suffer beyond measure. Your pain is not just physical pain, but bears all the iniquity of our world, allowing all the wrath of God the righteous Father to pour out upon you. Because of Your punishment we are at peace, and because of your stripes we are healed. Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice for me, saving me from sin and death. I ask You to make my behavior commensurate with my faith, and not to contradict, rebel against You, or even ignore or forsake You in my life. I beg You to make my heart fervent and try to live out Your love. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Jesus, Thank You – youtu.be/tHp8eThI2qk