Written ~ 04-02-2024
Read Luke Chapter Twenty-Three
Luke 23
In verses 1-23 of our chapter today, Jesus is brought before Pilate, the Roman Governor. When Pilate found no guilt in Him, Jesus was brought before Herod. At first Herod was delighted to meet Jesus because he had heard many wonderful things about Him and wanted to see Him perform some of His miracles. Jesus would not answer any of Herod’s unending questions. With great mocking, Herod put a royal robe on Him (since it was said that Jesus was the King of the Jews) and sent Him back to Pilate.
When Pilate asked the leading priests and the teachers of religious law what they wanted to see happen to Jesus and found it was the death penalty that they wanted, Pilate was hesitant at first. He didn’t find any guilt in this man named Jesus, so he thought by having Jesus flogged, this would appease them and Jesus could be released. But that’s not what happened at all…
Verses 23:23,
23 “But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified and their voices prevailed…”
It was then that Pilate washed his hands from this decision (Matthew 27:24, “Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”)
Luke 23:25b,
25b “…he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished…”
The rest of chapter 23 has us on a grief-stricken journey with all those who were watching. Jesus was led away, His skin torn to the bone, His face unrecognizable, weakened from the beatings and the flogging, carrying a cross which symbolized to everyone that the fate of this man was death. The scoffing and ridicule would continue from the lips of those who would not accept who Jesus was. Then under a darkened sky, Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust My Spirit into Your Hands!”
It was finished, Jesus breathed His last.
(To read each account of this scene turn in your Bible to Matthew 27:32-55, Mark 15:21-41 and John 19:16-37.)
In Luke 23:50-56 we see a good and righteous man Joseph. He took the lifeless body of Jesus, wrapped Him in a linen cloth and laid Him to rest in a tomb not far away.
At this moment it would seem all is lost…
But stayed tuned because tomorrow… a BRAND NEW DAY breaks with the best news EVER TOLD!
The entirety of Scripture points us to the sacrifice Jesus had to make for us. Through His death we are now cleansed of our sin, through Christ’s sacrifice we have been given the chance to have a relationship with the Father in Heaven. It may be difficult to fathom why Jesus had to go through all the pain and suffering that He did. But it is because of love, deep searing love that put Jesus on that cross, it is love that kept Him up on that cross, it is love that had Jesus place all the weight of sin and death onto Himself.
John 3:14-18,
14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9), so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s One and Only Son.
~AMEN~
- When you come to the realization that Christ Jesus died for you and took upon His own body the sins that could forever condemn you to death, you need to make the decision to trust in this truth and ask Jesus to be your Lord and your Savior. Pray the following Prayer of Salvation…
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.