the cross
Luke 23:32-49
I. The Cosmic Plan of the Cross (23:32-34)
Genesis 3:15: I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise his heel.
Isaiah 53:4-5:
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
I love this prayer because of the indistinctness of it. It is “Father, forgive them.” He does not say, “Father, forgive the soldiers who have nailed me here.” He includes them. Neither does he say, “Father, forgive the people who are beholding me.” He means them. Neither does he say, “Father, forgive sinners in ages to come who will sin against me.” But he means them. Jesus does not mention them by any accusing name, [but simply]: “Father, forgive them.” Now into that pronoun “them” I feel that I can crawl. Can you get in there? Oh, by a humble faith, appropriate the cross of Christ by trusting in it; and get into that big little word ‘them’! ~ Charles Spurgeon, “Christ’s Plea for Ignorant Sinners”
II. The Coronation of the Cross (23:35-39)
Jesus is (ironically) mocked on the cross for being a:
false Savior (23:35, 39)
fake King (23:36-38)
Jesus reveals his kingship not by coming down from the cross to save himself, but by staying on the cross to save others. Jesus reigns by saving, and he saves by giving his life. ~ Jeremy Treat, The Crucified King
III. The Completed Work of the Cross (23:40-49)
1. Darkness covers the land, signifying God’s judgment on sin
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2. The temple curtain is torn, granting us access to God’s presence
Hebrews 10:19–22: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith
3. People begin to be changed: a Roman Centurion (23:47), the crowds (23:48-49), the criminal on the cross (23:40-43)
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
